US PhD graduates turn away from Europe despite rising demand for research talent
Europe signals rising demand for PhD talent but weak salary growth leaves US industry roles more attractive for new research graduates.
European policymakers have stepped up efforts to attract US-trained researchers, introducing favourable policies and expanding recruitment campaigns, yet the share of US PhD graduates taking their first jobs in Europe continues to fall.
Data from workforce analytics firm Revelio Labs shows a recent spike in openings requiring PhD qualifications in Europe compared with the US. This suggests that Europe’s initiatives to attract research talent are beginning to show up on the demand side. But Europe’s ability to convert this into actual hires appears limited. Average salaries for new PhD-level roles have risen only slightly, from $60,000 to $62,500 since January 2024, compared with US growth from $91,400 to $103,000.
The pay gap leaves Europe at a disadvantage despite its policy drive. Without stronger salary growth, the region may struggle to attract graduates in significant numbers.
Meanwhile, in the US, salary growth is concentrated in the private sector, while academic pay has stalled. Cuts to US federal research funding have further undermined academic career paths, pushing more PhD graduates towards industry roles. Between 2014 and 2024, a growing share have entered non-university research posts rather than pursuing tenure-track positions.
These diverging trends point to a global market in transition: Europe signalling demand but offering weaker pay, and the US private sector consolidating its position as the dominant destination for new research talent.