
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the FAQ responses below for more clarity on research careers in the quantitative social sciences and how pre-doctoral positions can help you get started.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are an array of research jobs available in academia, policy and governmental organizations, as well as in private industry. Increasingly, pathways are being opened in careers like consulting, investment banking, technology firms, and related sectors. Other researchers work for non-profit organizations and put their skills to use to help others.
While the day-to-day specifics of a researcher's job may vary, what unites all researchers is curiosity and independence. Researchers largely set their own agendas and address questions they care about, usually with the assistance of analysts and other lab members.
First and foremost, doctoral studies train you to do research. Those who pursue a PhD are driven by a passion for research and discovery, intellectual independence, and the the ability to impact policies that affect people's lives. A PhD is a real investment in time and effort, but it opens up career possibilities that would be otherwise inaccessible.
Unlike an undergraduate degree, most of a PhD is not taking classes. You do take classes in the first two years of a PhD. Once you complete your coursework, you start working on your own research, under the guidance of a faculty committee you choose. The remainder of your PhD is focused on completing that research, which you will write up into a dissertation. Your successful defense of your dissertation earns you the PhD. The whole process generally takes five to six years. Due to the length of the commitment, PhDs typically come with funding for that whole period.
Many PhD students decide to become professors after they graduate, but not all do. Some eventually prefer to go to work for a government organization, such as the Federal Reserve, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, or the Security Exchange Commission (SEC), to name a few. Others find success in industry and non-profit sectors alike.
As reported by NCSES Survey of Earned Doctorates: "In general, doctorate recipients in S&E [Science and Engineering] fields tend to have robust post-graduation career prospects. The proportions of 2021 doctorate recipients in S&E with definite commitments at graduation, including postdoctoral study positions (postdocs), ranged from 68% in engineering to 79% in psychology. Proportions were highest in computer and information sciences and psychology (78% and 79%, respectively)." Science and engineering fields include: the quantitative social sciences; resource sciences; mathematics and statistics; computer and information sciences; and other related fields.
In most PhD programs, students get both a tuition waiver and a stipend. The size of the stipend varies by the PhD program and it may depend on qualifications. Some schools and departments admit students only with a full stipend. In addition, many PhD programs allow for students to earn additional income through research assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA). These part-time jobs help PhD students develop vital research and teaching skills, in addition to being a source of income.
The following chart was pulled from the National Science Board 2024 report, The STEM Labor Force of Today: Scientists, Engineers, and Skilled Technical Workers. Originally reported by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, the graph depicts the relationship between degree level and earnings in S&E fields (science and engineering fields include: social sciences; computer and information science; mathematics and statistics; and related fields). As noted in the chart, the relationship is directly proportional
The next figure was produced by PREDOC.org but the information is based on data from the National Science Board's "Science and Engineering Indicators" section in the aforementioned report (Table LBR-3). Computer, mathematical sciences, and social sciences report, on average, greater earnings when compared to the natural sciences. Doctorate degrees across the board correspond to higher salaries.
The last chart depicts median salaries across different types of occupations reported by the NSF Survey of Doctorate Recipients of 2017 across various disciplines (Computer Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Social Sciences and, as part of the Social Sciences, Economics):
A pre-doc is a job: a full-time research assistantship, which requires a bachelor's degree by the start date and typically lasts for two years.
A pre-doc isn't a prerequisite to being admitted to a PhD program, but there are several reasons why you might want to do a pre-doc anyway. Pre-docs are great choices for people who aren't sure whether they want to do a PhD, or who are sure, but need a little more experience to be competitive. In the PhD application process, pre-docs offer a similar credential as a master's degree, but a pre-doc is a paid job, compared to a master's degree you would have to pay tuition for. Exposure to a technical and professional environment can also strengthen your PhD application (from research experience to letters of recommendation).
Many pre-docs, as the name implies, go on to doctoral programs. Some go on to careers in policy research (e.g., at the Federal Reserve System) or industry. For more specific outcomes, check an individual program's website.
The application process varies among different institutions. Very generally, they tend to follow the pattern of an initial expression of interest (submitting application materials like your CV), collecting a sample of work (either a data task or something you have already put together), and finally an interview with the professor.
This varies by program. Anyone applying to a position outside their home country is encouraged to reach out to the hiring institution with any questions about work authorization and travel. Additionally, stay informed about updates to travel restrictions by consulting trusted sources and advisors.
Pre-doctoral positions are available throughout the year, and start dates vary by sponsoring institution. Broadly speaking, however, many institutions hire in the fall, with start dates in the subsequent summer. There also tends to be a smaller recruiting season in late winter/early spring, again with start dates typically in the subsequent summer. Typically, candidates must have at least a Bachelor's degree by their start date, but do not need a Bachelor's degree in hand in order to apply (i.e., many candidates apply while in the final year of their undergraduate programs).
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When you are deciding whether to accept an offer to work as a pre-doc, there are several things to consider. Some of this information may come from whoever is making you an offer, but you may also want to ask if you can speak to current pre-docs at that institution, ideally those working for the professor or group making the offer.