Psychology degrees–and, more generally, any discipline that touches upon behavioral science–continues to be prized in the job markets, from research-intensive careers in companies such as Meta, to  traditional careers in counseling, psychoanalysis and other clinical work.

Back as early as 2019, it was already clear that the marriage of human behavior, technology and the consumer, was an enviable combination for those PhDs with research and related experience that could make sense of the rapid changes in the marketplace.  We wrote about this here, and the job opportunities have only expanded since then.

Here are some typical and new jobs roles for Psychology majors:

Clinical and Counseling Roles

• Clinical Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Psychotherapist
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Child Psychologist
• School Psychologist
• Addiction Counselor
• Behavioral Health Specialist
• Diversity and Community Mental Health Psychologist15

Academic and Research Positions

• Psychology Professor
• Research Psychologist
• Psychological Researcher
• Social Psychologist
• Developmental Psychologist
• Cognitive and Perceptual Psychologist124

Applied and Specialized Psychology Careers

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Health Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist
• Psychometrics Specialist124

Leadership, Management, and Corporate Roles

• Clinical Director or Supervisor
• Human Resources Manager or Director
• Business and Marketing Manager or Director
• Management Consultant
• Advertising Director14

Additional Career Paths

• Community Psychologist
• Psychological Specialist
• Director of Human Resources

SmartJobs

We have listed a sampling of these positions on our SmartJobs page this week and there will be many more openings to come, highlighted by training AI models to UX (User Experience) Research positions in the world’s leading companies and medical groups.

Happy hunting.

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Internships are a significant pathway to full-time employment for PhDs and graduate students, both within the public and private sectors.  Although PhD-level internships represent a smaller subset of overall internship opportunities compared to bachelor’s and master’s levels, in 2023-24 roughly 28.3% of employers reported hiring doctoral-level interns, indicating limited but specialized opportunities1.

As we have noted previously here at VPhD, industries such as technology, pharmaceutical and biotech, e commerce, financial services and research organizations are heavy recruiters of PhD graduates. Internships can provide a leg up in the process.

We have collected a few representative internships on our jobs page, and have content on our PhD Career Finder as well.  If you haven’t considered an internship due to time or other constraints, consider again.

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Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash

A few PhD-appropriate job openings for this weekend over on our jobs page…

As we have discussed here time and again, even if you’re not looking for work today the review of job descriptions, expectations and language, can provide a level of readiness before you’re ready to go.

How prepared are you?

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Climate or so-called “green jobs” have been an increasing focus for us at VPhD and for good reason: climate research jobs in the private sector are increasingly available as companies recognize the importance of addressing climate change and its impacts on their operations.

According to recent data, this trend is accelerating rapidly. The clean energy industry alone created nearly 150,000 new jobs in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023, outpacing job creation in the fossil fuel sector1. Furthermore, it’s projected that the green transition will create 300 million new green jobs globally by 20501.

Here are some key opportunities in the private sector:

Research and Analysis Roles

• Climate Risk Analyst: These professionals assess climate-related risks and opportunities for businesses. Salaries for Climate Risk Analysts typically range from $70,000 to $120,000 annually in the U.S.2

• Research Associate (Climate Risk): These roles focus on investigating climate risks and contributing to research publications and regulatory reports.

Sustainability and Environmental Positions

• Environmental Scientist: These roles often require expertise in regulations, investigations, and data analysis. The salary for environmental scientists in the U.S. generally ranges from $65,000 to $100,000 annually2.

• Sustainability Program Manager: Many companies are seeking professionals to develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

Specialized Climate Roles

• Air Quality Modeler: Engineers working on air quality modeling, which is crucial for climate change planning and projections.

• Carbon Capture Specialist: These professionals focus on technologies to reduce carbon emissions, with salaries typically ranging from $65,000 to $100,000 annually in the U.S.2

Consulting and Advisory Positions

• Climate & Sustainability Policy Advisor: These roles involve analyzing research findings and providing guidance on climate and sustainability issues.

• Sustainable Finance Specialist: Financial institutions are increasingly integrating climate considerations into their investment and lending practices.

The job market for climate research in the private sector is dynamic and growing. LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report from 2024 suggests that the green talent pool needs to double by 2050 to meet projected demand1. This growth is driven by the increasing recognition of climate change as a critical business issue, with 80% of employees ready and willing to take action on climate change in their jobs1.

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PhDs in biotechnology have numerous career opportunities across various sectors of the industry, and many of these have been covered here at VPhD.  Check out our PhD Pathways page for some interviews with biotech venture firms and individuals in the industry.

Here are some key positions well-suited for PhDs in biotech:

Research and Development

Senior Scientist/Engineer: This role involves leading research teams, driving discovery, and developing new technologies. PhDs can leverage their technical expertise and research skills in companies like Merck & Co, Microsoft, Cargill, Inc., and Ford Motor Company1.

Protein Scientist: Positions focusing on protein research and engineering are available, often requiring a PhD2.

Gene Synthesis & Cloning Scientist: This specialized role involves genetic engineering techniques2.

Clinical Research

Clinical Research Associate (CRA): PhDs can oversee and monitor clinical trials, ensuring regulatory compliance and proper data collection. Companies like Abbott, Medtronic, and PRA Health Sciences offer such positions1.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Quality Process Specialist: This role involves ensuring product safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. PhDs can work in companies like Amgen Inc., Boeing Company, or regulatory agencies like the European Medicines Agency1.

Business and Strategy

Business Development Director: Some positions in biotech CROs (Contract Research Organizations) seek PhDs for business development roles3.

Other Specialized Roles

• Biostatistician: Applying statistical methods to biological data3.

• Medical Science Liaison: Serving as a scientific resource for healthcare providers and internal teams2.

• AI Specialist: Applying AI techniques to pharmaceutical/biotech drug development2.

PhDs in biotech can also find opportunities in areas such as translational neuroscience, electrophysiology, and in vivo pharmacology2. The industry values the advanced research skills, analytical abilities, and specialized knowledge that PhDs bring to these roles.

We’ve been asked many times here at Versatile PhD that basic question: what can I do with my PhD if not teach or conduct academic research?  Well, quite a lot actually. Perhaps more than you can imagine.

Here are some of the top non-academic jobs that may require or benefit from a PhD in ANTHROPOLOGY:

1. Forensic Anthropologist: Work with law enforcement agencies and medical examiners to identify human remains and determine causes of death2.

2. Biostatistician: Analyze biological and health-related data in public health, medical research, or biological research settings2.

3. Epidemiologist: Study the distribution and determinants of health and diseases in populations2.

4. Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Specialist: Manage and protect cultural heritage sites and artifacts5.

5. International Development Consultant: Work on projects related to global development and cultural understanding14.

6. Market Researcher: Apply anthropological methods to understand consumer behavior and cultural trends1.

7. User Experience (UX) Researcher: Analyze how people interact with products and services in tech companies4.

8. Policy Analyst: Work in government agencies or think tanks to develop and evaluate policies14.

9. Corporate Anthropologist: Help businesses understand cultural dynamics in the workplace or market4.

10. Museum Curator or Researcher: Manage collections and conduct research in museums1.

11. Public Health Researcher: Apply anthropological perspectives to health issues and interventions26.

12. Environmental Anthropologist: Work on issues related to human-environment interactions and sustainability1.

These positions often value the research skills, cultural understanding, and analytical abilities developed during a PhD in anthropology. While some roles may not explicitly require a PhD, having one can be advantageous for securing senior positions or roles that involve complex research and analysis26.

Who might hire you?  Here are more examples from the tech industry alone:

1. Google: They often hire PhDs for long-term research projects and user experience roles3.

2. Facebook: They have recruited anthropologists for internships and research positions, such as studying social media’s impact on government preparations for elections2.

3. Intel: They have a history of including anthropologists on their teams, with notable examples like Genevieve Bell who worked on product design1.

4. Xerox: Another tech giant mentioned as having employed anthropologists for years3.

5. Adobe: They have hired anthropology PhDs for non-academic roles, as mentioned in the example of David Platzner’s career path1.

6. Uber: They have employed anthropologists to investigate broad topics like the future of travel2.

7. Photo by Tanya Kukarkina on Unsplash