PerspectivesAre you interested in submitting a Perspective Article? Be sure to read The Science Advisory Board's Editorial Guides for Perspective Articles. Click here. U.S. Life Science Job Market Projections for Ph.D.s by Eleanor Babco, Ph.D. Total doctorate production in the life sciences (agricultural sciences, biological sciences and health/medical sciences) increased 24% during the decade of the 1990s (1991-2000), with the exception of 1999 when there was a decline. The proportion of doctorates earned by U.S. citizens and permanent residents increased at a slower rate (19% during the decade) while the number of doctorates earned by temporary residents increased 27% during this period as shown in the accompanying table. However, we might expect this growth to lessen, based on the graduate enrollment data, which has shown some signs of slowing down.  Despite the increasing numbers of doctoral degrees in the life sciences, Ph.D.s are still finding jobs. Only 1.0% of the agricultural scientists, 1.2% of the biological scientists and 1.3% of the health scientists were unemployed in 1999, the latest year of data from the National Science Foundation. In addition, 2.7% of the agricultural scientists, 3.4% of the biological scientists and 2.4% of the health scientists were classified as "involuntarily out-of-field." The percentage of Ph.D.s working as postdoctoral associates also has increased during the decade of the 1990s, but the majority of this growth is attributed to the increasing number of foreign postdoctorates. The number of postdoctorates in the life sciences who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents increased 24% (from 11,058 in 1991 to 13,732 in 2000), while the number of non-US. Citizens on temporary visas increased 58% (from 9,985 in 1991 to 15,741 in 2000) as shown in the accompanying table.  Jobs held by doctoral-level biological scientists have shifted away from academia toward industry. In 1975, 74% of the Ph.D. biological scientists and nearly 61% of the agricultural scientists were employed in academe. These percentages dropped to 58% and 47% respectively by 1999. Meanwhile, the percentage of biological and agricultural Ph.D.s employed in industry (including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries) increased from 9% and 20% of the biological and agricultural scientists in 1975 to 25% and 36% respectively in 1999. Hiring appears to have picked up in the academic sector, with the increasing numbers of faculty who are retiring. Growth in the pharmaceutical sector shows employment expanding at a greater rate than the economy, signaling opportunities in this area. Recent projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics find that between 2000 and 2010, jobs in the drug manufacturing industry, which does not include biotech research laboratories, will increase by nearly 30%. Specific projections for doctorate-level biological scientists find that total employment will increase 21%. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are investing heavily in research, particularly in the fields of genomics, proteomics, and nano-technology and life scientists with experience in these areas will be in high demand. Additionally, hiring is particularly strong for those having skills in regulatory affairs, quality assurance/ control, and in cross-disciplinary areas, such as computational molecular biology and bioinformatics. Employment opportunities should be strong for life scientists in the federal government with the aging federal workforce retiring over the next several years. ### Eleanor Babco, Ph.D. Executive Director Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology http://www.cpst.org ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Perspectives ] |
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