AlmaLaurea: PhD researchers from Unipd earn more

17.07.2024

Earning more than 2000 euros per month (which is 100 euros more than the average Italian), PhD research graduates from Padua enjoy a high employment rate and are increasingly coming from foreign universities.  Such as outlined by the most recent Almalaurea data, regarding PhD research graduates from the University of Padua.

The University of Padua continues to invest in doctoral training, given the fundamental role that these young people have in the university research system. The Almalaurea data gives us flattering results. Unipd remains attractive and effective in its training – states Massimiliano Zattin, vice-rector of the Doctorate at the University of Padua -. We will continue to insist on the path taken as the first round of selections for 479 doctoral positions has just ended, to which another hundred will be added through a call linked to NRRP resources which provides for co-financing by companies (deadline July 25). Currently, the overall number of doctoral students is around 2100, slightly lower than the number of structured teachers.

The Data

Data related to PhDs for 2023 show an average age of 30.9 years old at the time of obtaining qualification, significantly lower than other Italians with an average of 32.4. The international vocation is demonstrated not only by the growing percentage of doctors who graduated from a foreign university (14% against a national average of 11%) but also by the 59% of doctoral students who spent a period abroad, longer than 6 months for 26% of them (most popular countries: France, Germany, and the United States).

The research activity was carried out in well-organized groups in 83.1% (Italian average 78%), was supported by adequate funding in 88.4% of cases (well above the Italian average of 81%) and produced at least one publication for 85.5% of doctors (among these, 93.8% produced it in English).

These positive numbers translate into an employment rate one year after obtaining the qualification that reaches 91.1%, with an average net monthly salary of 2,012 euros, higher than the Italian average of 1,902 euros.

It should be noted that 85.5% of research doctors are employed in intellectual, scientific, and highly specialized professions, therefore fully congruent with their doctoral path. Ultimately, their degree focus was very effective for the work carried out in 76% of cases.