After graduating, many TiFN alumni find a job with a TiFN partner, according to a career-analysis of PhD candidates graduating via TiFN. For the vast majority, scientific research remains a common thread throughout their career.

In the past two decades, TiFN has delivered over 200 PhD students to the labour market. We know the positions of approximately 180 alumni: 47% work at a university institution, just pipping industry at 46%. In public research organizations, such as universities, public research institutes and universities of applied sciences most alumni work as (senior) scientists (74%), followed by assistant professors (12%) and lecturers (7%). Approximately 6% of alumni have risen to the rank of full professor.

In industry, too, a large proportion of PhD students work as scientists (79%). Other common professions are consultant (11%) and marketeer (7%). What is striking in the analysis is that a large proportion (47%) of the alumni work for current or former TiFN partners. Apparently, TiFN projects not only provide valuable knowledge, but also valuable new employees. Ronald Visschers is enthusiastic about this outcome: “In our projects we focus on a combination of scientific excellence, industrial relevance and societal acceptance. It is fantastic to see that this project approach consistently brings out the best in people.”