About UoB postgraduate research students (including PhD)

"At Pivigo we fully recognise the enormous potential that analytic postgraduates and PhDs bring to the workplace. We support analytical PhDs who wish to transition into data science roles, and we see that they come with excellent skills in mathematics, statistics, programming, problem solving and communication skills."

Kim Nilsson, CEO, Pivigo

Most of our research postgraduates are studying for their PhD.  A PhD usually takes students 3-4 years full-time, but can also be taken part-time over a longer period. Others may be undertaking a professional doctorate especially linked to a particular field, such as an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) or a Doctorate of Education (EdD). 

To pass a doctorate-level qualification, students need to undertake independent research and write this up as a thesis. The doctorate is awarded if this thesis is judged to make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.

The rest of our research postgraduates are studying a Masters by research, in which they undertake independent research and produce a thesis over a period of twelve months.

The nature of postgraduate research study means that our students have a range of high-level skills that can add real impact to your organisation, including:

• A high level of research ability, including solving complex problems in innovative ways
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Skills in project management
• Self-motivation and drive
• Experience in disseminating research and conveying complex ideas to audiences
• Resilience and determination to succeed

If you have vacancies that require these types of skills and would like to know more about the value that postgraduate researchers can bring to your organisation, please contact our PGR Careers Adviser Holly Prescott for further information.

Postgraduate researchers often begin and end their courses at slightly different times. Although many start their studies at the end of September, others begin in January and at other points during the academic year, so there is no ‘fixed’ finish date for postgraduate researchers. As a result, they are often seeking job opportunities all year round.

Not all postgraduate researchers are looking for an academic career. Many want to take their expertise into business and industry, or apply their specialist knowledge and research skills to roles in government, policy, charities or NGOs. Some seek to completely retrain in graduate-level roles, whilst others use their initiative and enterprising skills to set up their own businesses.

To read more about which work sectors tend to be of interest to our Postgraduate Researchers, and to read about what some of our Postgraduate Researchers have gone on to do next, take a look at our PGR Careers Options web page, and read some of our PGR graduate career stories.

An increasing number of postgraduate researchers now also have the opportunity to undertake a placement or internship as part of their programme, which may be covered financially by their PhD funder. If you offer short -term opportunities (e.g. three-month placements, internships, 'PIPS', or other short-term professional opportunities) that may be appropriate for postgraduate researchers, please feel free to contact us using the contact details given below. 

If you have roles that you would like to advertise to our postgraduate researchers, or are interested in targeting postgraduate researchers from particular subject areas, please contact our PGR Careers Adviser Holly Prescott.