Do Nearly All Math PhDs Get Jobs in Academia? A Comparative Study with Physics PhDs
The academic job market for math PhDs, as well as physics PhDs, is highly competitive. While a significant number of these graduates aspire to academic positions, the reality is that many do not secure tenure-track roles. This article explores the trends and outcomes for both math and physics PhDs in academia versus other sectors.
Academic Job Market for Math PhDs
Mathematics PhD graduates often face a challenging job market, with many not finding the traditional tenure-track academic positions they desire. According to the data from Degrees Summary, in the 2015–2016 academic year, only 34 out of 1921 new PhDs found jobs in academia. Many others pursued careers in business, industry, or government sectors.
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) conducts an annual survey that provides comprehensive data on the job market for math PhDs. According to the AMS Annual Survey of the Mathematical Sciences, the situation is similar in recent years. Data shows that while many math PhDs aim for academic careers, a significant portion ends up in non-academic positions. Some common non-academic roles include quantitative analysts, researchers, and experts in quality assurance, manufacturing, engineering, IT, and more.
Academic Job Market for Physics PhDs
Physics PhDs face a similar challenge in finding permanent academic positions. According to a summary provided in a Postdoctoral Data System (PDS), out of a class of 2015 physics PhD graduates, 52 ended up in academic positions. However, most of these were not permanent positions. The majority of potentially permanent positions fell into the private industry sector.
This trend is particularly relevant because many physics PhDs enter the job market with multiple postdoctoral positions to build their academic credentials. While these postdocs can be valuable for career development, they often do not lead to permanent faculty positions.
Comparison and Analysis
The job market trends for both math and physics PhDs exhibit similar patterns. A considerable number of graduates seek academic positions, but a significant percentage ends up in alternative career paths. This can vary by year and specific job market conditions, but the general trend remains that not all PhDs find traditional academic jobs.
While this can be concerning for graduates who aspire to tenure-track positions, it is also worth noting that the skills acquired during advanced PhD training in mathematics and physics are highly valuable in a wide range of industries. PhDs in these fields often find rewarding careers in finance, manufacturing, engineering, IT, and research sectors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while a significant proportion of math and physics PhDs aspire to academic positions, the reality is that a substantial number do not secure tenure-track roles. Instead, many find fulfilling careers in industry, government, and other sectors. This underscores the importance of embracing a broader career perspective and exploring diverse opportunities beyond academia. For those passionate about math and physics, these skills can open numerous doors in various industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What percentage of math PhDs and physics PhDs typically find academic jobs?
A: Approximately 30-50% of math PhDs and 30-40% of physics PhDs find academic positions, with the majority of these being non-permanent roles.
Q: What are some alternative career paths for math and physics PhDs?
A: Common alternative career paths include working as quantitative analysts, researchers in manufacturing, engineering sectors, IT, and data science experts. Some may also teach at primary or secondary school levels.