📊 Unveiling the Latest Insights from the Vitae 2026 Report

A groundbreaking study released in March 2026 by the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC)-Vitae has shed light on the career trajectories of UK PhD graduates. Titled What do Researchers Do? Employment, Earnings and Activities of Recent Doctoral Graduates 2026, the report analyzes data from 10,690 doctoral graduates who completed their degrees in the 2022-23 academic year—representing about 45 percent of all UK PhD completers that year. Conducted 15 months after graduation, it paints a picture of high employability but shifting patterns in where and how these highly skilled individuals are deploying their talents.

The doctoral degree, or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), is the highest academic qualification, typically requiring three to four years of intensive research following a master's or bachelor's. In the UK, PhD programs are funded through various sources like UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) grants, university scholarships, or self-funding. This report highlights that 91 percent of respondents were employed, with fewer than 3 percent unemployed—a testament to the versatility of PhD skills in research, analysis, problem-solving, and innovation across sectors.

Median earnings stood at £42,000, with some earning over £100,000 in high-demand fields. However, the standout trend is the decline in those staying within UK academia and a noticeable uptick in international relocations. For a deeper dive, the full Vitae report offers detailed breakdowns.

Decline in Domestic Retention: Fewer PhDs Staying in UK Academia

One of the most striking findings is the drop in UK-based PhD graduates remaining in academia. Only 42 percent of those working in the UK are in higher education roles, down from around 50 percent in previous Vitae reports from earlier cohorts. Specifically, fixed-term university-based research positions—often postdoctoral (postdoc) contracts, which are temporary roles lasting 1-3 years focused on advancing research—fell from 27 percent to 23 percent. University teaching roles accounted for 16 percent, and other academic posts just 3 percent.

This retention decline reflects broader challenges in the UK higher education sector. Universities have faced stagnant government funding, rising operational costs, and a reliance on international student fees that has been disrupted by recent visa policy changes. In 2026 alone, reports indicate hundreds of job losses, including over 100 redundancies at Russell Group institutions, exacerbating competition for scarce permanent lecturer or professor positions.

• University research jobs: 23% (down 4 points)
• Teaching roles: 16%
• Non-HE research (e.g., government labs, charities): 14% (up 4 points)
• Industry and other sectors: Increasing share

Non-academic research roles outside higher education have risen, signaling a pivot toward stability in public sector or private R&D environments. Explore openings in research jobs or postdoc opportunities to gauge the market.

🌍 Rise in International Moves: The Global Appeal for UK PhDs

While domestic retention wanes, international mobility is on the rise. The Vitae report notes significantly more graduates than before are securing research posts overseas. Among those working outside the UK, 44 percent are in university-based research—double the 22 percent rate for UK-based peers. This aligns with a 2024 study in Higher Education analyzing 2013-2017 graduates, where 8 percent left the UK early, often to Europe, North America, or Oceania, and enjoyed a 'mover's advantage'—higher chances of academic roles like postdocs abroad. See the full study for mobility predictors such as STEM fields and Oxbridge backgrounds.

Popular destinations include the US for tech and biotech postdocs, Germany and the Netherlands for stable funding via EU programs (despite Brexit impacts), Australia for interdisciplinary research, and Canada for inclusive policies. UK PhDs bring prestige, with global science increasingly collaborative. Post-Brexit, while EU mobility dipped, overall outbound trends persist due to better salaries and job security abroad.

For instance, STEM graduates are 72 percent more likely to land postdocs internationally, per the data. This brain drain—talented individuals leaving for better prospects—raises concerns but also underscores the global value of UK training.

Diverse Career Paths: From Academia to Industry and Beyond

PhD graduates are not monolithic; outcomes vary by discipline. While exact 2026 field breakdowns are in the full Vitae data, patterns hold: STEM fields like engineering and life sciences see higher overseas research moves, while humanities and social sciences lean toward UK teaching or policy roles. Median salaries range from £38,000 in arts to £48,000+ in physical sciences.

Many enter industry (e.g., pharmaceuticals, tech firms like Google DeepMind), government (e.g., UKRI), or non-profits. Skills like data analysis and project management transfer seamlessly. Only 3 percent were in self-employment, but entrepreneurship is growing.

• Industry R&D: Data scientists, consultants
• Public sector: Policy advisors at think tanks
• Finance/tech: Quantitative analysts earning £60k+

This diversification reduces over-reliance on academia. Resources like how to write a winning academic CV can help tailor applications.

Key Drivers Fueling the Shift Away from UK Shores

Several interconnected factors drive this exodus. Precarious contracts dominate UK academia: postdocs are short-term, with low permanency rates amid 2026 job cuts totaling thousands across universities. Funding freezes post-COVID, inflation outpacing salaries (PhD stipends ~£19k), and a 'perfect storm' of intl student declines due to visa curbs have squeezed budgets.

• Job scarcity: Competition for lecturer jobs 10:1 in some fields
• Stagnant pay: UK postdocs average £40k vs £55k+ in US
• Better abroad: EU's Marie Curie fellowships, US NIH grants
• Work-life: Longer UK probation, visa hurdles for returnees

Brexit sentiment and policy shifts post-2016 reduced EU collaborations, pushing mobility elsewhere. For context, UK unis cut 300+ jobs in Feb 2026 alone.

Impacts on UK Higher Education and the Economy

The decline threatens research output, innovation, and teaching quality. Russell Group unis, producing most PhDs, suffer most, compounding redundancies. Economy-wide, losing talent hampers R&D sectors like biotech, where UK leads Europe but risks falling behind.

Positive: Intl hires fill gaps (29% academic staff overseas), but domestic pipeline erosion is concerning. Policymakers eye tracking systems like Vitae's recommendations for better retention strategies.

Solutions to Reverse the Brain Drain Trend

Stakeholders propose multi-pronged fixes: Increase UKRI funding for postdocs, offer visa incentives for returning PhDs, promote industry-academia partnerships. Unis can enhance career services, emphasizing transferable skills training.

Government: Stable fees, R&D tax credits. Individuals: Network via conferences, upskill in AI/ML for industry. Balanced views highlight diversification as healthy, not crisis.

Actionable Advice for PhD Students and Graduates 🎓

Prospective PhDs: Choose funded programs, build networks early. Current: Diversify CV—internships, publications, teaching. For overseas moves: Research visas (e.g., US J-1), leverage alumni. Returning? Highlight intl experience for lecturer jobs.

1. Track openings on higher ed jobs platforms
2. Prepare for interviews: Practice non-academic pitches
3. Seek mentorship via university career centers

Use free resume templates tailored for academia-industry shifts.

Photo by Dawn Casey on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Final Thoughts

With AI disrupting research and global competition heating up, UK PhDs remain assets. Trends may stabilize if funding rises, but expect continued globalization. As one expert notes, 'PhDs are highly employable anywhere.'

In summary, while domestic retention dips, opportunities expand globally. Share your experiences on Rate My Professor, browse higher ed jobs, university jobs, or higher ed career advice. Post a vacancy at recruitment or check post a job to connect talent. Your insights drive the conversation—comment below!