PhD Graduates at the Heart of Europe’s Future: After Helsinki, ASCENDIA Reaffirms Its Commitment
On May 6–7, ASCENDIA had the privilege of participating in the 8th annual conference of the PRIDE Network, hosted by the University of Helsinki, around a topic that has become central to the future of research and innovation in Europe: PhD careers.
The conference brought together doctoral education professionals, universities, institutional leaders, and career development stakeholders from across Europe. Discussions focused on major issues such as the evolution of doctoral career paths, the recognition of doctoral skills beyond academia, university-industry collaboration, the employability of early-career researchers, and the profound transformations of the labour market in the context of technological, environmental, and societal transitions.
One reality now stands out clearly: today, between 70% and 80% of PhD graduates will not work in public research. Not because their expertise is not needed, but because the number of academic positions is structurally insufficient compared with the number of highly trained talents graduating every year.
This reality should no longer be viewed as a failure of doctoral education. Quite the opposite.
Our societies need PhD graduates. More than ever.
Economic development, innovation, public policy, healthcare, industry, digital and green transitions, education, international organisations, local governments, and entrepreneurship all require professionals capable of analysing complex situations, producing new knowledge, solving unprecedented problems, and working under uncertainty. This is precisely what doctoral training develops.
PhD graduates must contribute across all sectors of society.
Beyond their specific research topics, the competencies developed throughout the doctoral journey are considerable: critical thinking, autonomy, project management, creativity, analytical capacity, scientific communication, international collaboration, resilience, and change management. These competencies represent a strategic asset for European competitiveness and for the sustainable development of our societies.
Europe cannot afford to underuse such exceptional human potential.
The discussions held in Helsinki reinforced a strong conviction that ASCENDIA has promoted for several years: supporting PhD graduates in building diverse, ambitious, and meaningful careers has become a collective responsibility.
On the occasion of the first European Doctoral Day, celebrated on May 13, 2026, ASCENDIA renewed its mission and reaffirmed its strong commitment to continue supporting the development of doctoral competencies, employability, and career pathways, in Europe and beyond.
We firmly believe that empowering PhD graduates, helping them identify their potential impact, and building bridges between academia and the wider socio-economic world benefits everyone: individuals, organisations, innovation ecosystems, and Europe’s future as a whole.
A doctorate does not only prepare people for a profession.
It prepares them to contribute to the world.
