Lack of Jobs could jeopardise Government’s PhD targets
Strong partnerships between industry and academia needed
Leaders from business and universities met to plan for a huge increase in the number of research scientists and engineers coming on stream in Ireland over the next seven years arising from the Government’s Science Technology and Innovation strategic plan. In order to cater for this influx of PhD research graduates, industry and universities must work together to create an unprecedented number of sustainable research jobs.
The Government aims to double the number of science and engineering PhDs working in Ireland and to raise PhD numbers from 450 to 900 per annum. This increase is vital if companies are to seriously consider Ireland as a base for major R&D projects. Without the necessary expertise, companies will look elsewhere and our economic success will falter.
At the joint conference, IBEC and the Irish Universities Association (IUA) addressed the key issues of creating the required number and calibre of PhD graduates and strengthening industry academic partnership to ensure appropriate jobs for PhDs in Ireland.
Industry investment in R&D crossed the €1bn threshold in 2003, the last year for which figures are available. This trend seems set to continue, with major R&D investment announcements from a number of high profiled companies: IBM (€22m), HP (€21.4m), Bell Labs (employ 120 researchers), Pfizer (€20m), Bristol Myers Squibb (€9.6m).
The two key priorities at the conference were:
1. To ensure researchers have the necessary skills and calibre to be attractive to industry.
2. To develop strong partnerships between academia and industry so that PhDs can transfer from employment in academia to industry and visa versa.