PhD Holders Low Research Activities vs High research

Published

May 29, 2026

1. Sociodemographic Characteristics

Gender (Q9)

Gender identity
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Men 264 49.9% 439 58.2%
Women 265 50.1% 315 41.8%
*(Missing)* 7 NA 7 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Nationality (Q10)

Nationality (grouped)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Belgian 401 74.8% 502 66.0%
EU 75 14.0% 119 15.6%
Other nationality 60 11.2% 140 18.4%
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Children (Q13)

Has children
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
With Children 274 51.1% 369 48.6%
Without Children 262 48.9% 391 51.4%
*(Missing)* NA NA 1 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Year of PhD completion (Q4_2_2)

Year of PhD completion
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
2012 20 3.7% 27 3.5%
2013 16 3.0% 30 3.9%
2014 28 5.2% 29 3.8%
2015 19 3.5% 26 3.4%
2016 31 5.8% 34 4.5%
2017 30 5.6% 44 5.8%
2018 24 4.5% 36 4.7%
2019 30 5.6% 30 3.9%
2020 17 3.2% 31 4.1%
2021 61 11.4% 83 10.9%
2022 63 11.8% 118 15.5%
2023 81 15.1% 115 15.1%
2024 87 16.2% 110 14.5%
2025 29 5.4% 48 6.3%
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

PhD field (Q29)

Broad PhD field
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Life & Health Sciences 146 27.2% 193 25.4%
Exact & Natural Sciences 196 36.6% 363 47.7%
Social Sciences & Humanities 194 36.2% 205 26.9%
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

2. Current Employment

Main status (Q85)

Main professional status
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Indépendant·e à titre principal (ex : entrepreneur∙e) 49 9.1% 30 3.9%
Employé·e à temps plein (y compris boursier∙e, fonctionnaire, postdoctorant∙e, professeur∙es, etc.) 371 69.2% 644 84.6%
Employé·e à temps partiel (y compris boursier∙e, fonctionnaire, postdoctorant∙e, professeur∙es, etc.) 90 16.8% 70 9.2%
Stagiaire 2 0.4% 1 0.1%
Autre, veuillez préciser 24 4.5% 16 2.1%
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Contract type (Q92)

Type of contract
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Contrat à durée indéterminée (CDI) 339 73.5% 530 74.2%
Contrat à durée indéterminée (CDI) conditionné à l’obtention de financements successifs 16 3.5% 33 4.6%
Contrat à durée déterminée (CDD) sans possibilité de renouvellement 17 3.7% 37 5.2%
Contrat d’intérim 14 3.0% 8 1.1%
Contrat à durée déterminée (CDD) avec possibilité de renouvellement limité dans le temps (ex : contrat de 2 ans renouvelable deux fois) 30 6.5% 52 7.3%
Contrat à durée déterminée (CDD) avec possibilité de passage à un contrat permanent pour le même poste 45 9.8% 54 7.6%
*(Missing)* 75 NA 47 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Sector (Q87)

Employment sector
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Business: industry and production 64 12.5% 192 25.8%
Business: services 91 17.8% 119 16.0%
Education outside of higher education 44 8.6% 13 1.7%
Government/public services 95 18.6% 164 22.0%
Higher education outside university 52 10.2% 25 3.4%
Hospital 56 10.9% 38 5.1%
Other 7 1.4% 5 0.7%
Private non-profit (e.g. NGO) 43 8.4% 53 7.1%
University/Research center 60 11.7% 136 18.3%
*(Missing)* 24 NA 16 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Organisation size (Q171)

Organisation size
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Micro (1 à 9 personnes employées) 24 5.2% 40 5.7%
Petite (10 à 49 personnes employées) 47 10.2% 92 13.1%
Moyenne (de 50 à 249 personnes employées) 101 22.0% 125 17.8%
Grande (plus de 250 personnes employées) 276 60.1% 438 62.2%
Je ne sais pas 11 2.4% 9 1.3%
*(Missing)* 77 NA 57 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Currently in postdoc (Q83)

Currently in postdoc
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Oui 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Non 536 100.0% 761 100.0%
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Interest in permanent academic position (Q101)

If a permanent position were available, would you be interested?
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Oui 212 48.2% 274 46.3%
Non 228 51.8% 318 53.7%
*(Missing)* 96 NA 169 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Reasons for job with low research activities (Q104)

Main reason for being in a job with limited research activities (Q104)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Par contrainte, je n’ai pas trouvé de poste avec plus d’activités de recherche 299 56.7% NA NA
Par choix, je souhaitais un poste comprenant peu d’activités de recherche 228 43.3% NA NA
*(Missing)* 9 NA 761 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

3. Secondary Activity

Secondary professional activity (Q180)

Has a secondary professional activity
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Oui 150 28.0% 117 15.4%
Non 385 72.0% 643 84.6%
*(Missing)* 1 NA 1 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Type of secondary activity (Q88)

Type of Secondary Activity
Low research
High research
Category N % N %
Secondary Basic Education 9 1.7% 9 1.2%
Secondary Higher Ed Nonuni 18 3.4% 13 1.7%
Secondary Government 4 0.7% 9 1.2%
Secondary Hospital Nonuniv 5 0.9% 1 0.1%
Secondary University Hospital 2 0.4% 0 0.0%
Secondary Industry 1 0.2% 4 0.5%
Secondary Business Services 17 3.2% 15 2.0%
Secondary Nonprofit 10 1.9% 7 0.9%
Secondary University Research 74 13.8% 53 7.0%
Secondary Other 32 6.0% 25 3.3%

4. Job Content & Research Link

Job Content & Research Link
Low research
High research
Category N % N %
Job Related To Research 140 26.7% 0 NA
Job Related To Phd Field 242 45.4% 462 61.1%
Job Team Management 233 44.2% 394 52.4%
Job Supervise Juniors 170 32.3% 400 53.3%

5. Involvement in Knowledge-Transfer Activities (Q185)

Involvement: IP creation
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 379 84.2% 438 63.6%
Aucune implication 36 8.0% 62 9.0%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 7 1.6% 49 7.1%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 28 6.2% 140 20.3%
*(Missing)* 86 NA 72 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: IP commercialisation
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 401 88.7% 544 79.1%
Aucune implication 29 6.4% 72 10.5%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 8 1.8% 15 2.2%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 14 3.1% 57 8.3%
*(Missing)* 84 NA 73 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: publications
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 264 58.4% 194 27.7%
Aucune implication 33 7.3% 29 4.1%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 56 12.4% 287 40.9%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 99 21.9% 191 27.2%
*(Missing)* 84 NA 60 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: development of new products/services
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 309 68.7% 267 38.6%
Aucune implication 25 5.6% 30 4.3%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 45 10.0% 183 26.4%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 71 15.8% 212 30.6%
*(Missing)* 86 NA 69 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: improvement of existing products/services
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 284 63.4% 268 38.8%
Aucune implication 17 3.8% 27 3.9%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 57 12.7% 187 27.1%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 90 20.1% 209 30.2%
*(Missing)* 88 NA 70 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: generation of new knowledge
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 256 56.4% 176 25.4%
Aucune implication 37 8.1% 11 1.6%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 44 9.7% 278 40.1%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 117 25.8% 229 33.0%
*(Missing)* 82 NA 67 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: acquisition of external funding
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 281 61.9% 283 40.5%
Aucune implication 58 12.8% 86 12.3%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 41 9.0% 131 18.8%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 74 16.3% 198 28.4%
*(Missing)* 82 NA 63 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761
Involvement: data analysis for decision-making
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Activity not carried 248 55.6% 163 23.5%
Aucune implication 31 7.0% 19 2.7%
Forte implication (j’initie, je gère et je mène l’activité) 51 11.4% 279 40.3%
Implication partielle (j’y contribue) 116 26.0% 232 33.5%
*(Missing)* 90 NA 68 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Collaborations initiated towards academic sector (Q187)

Initiated collaboration towards the academic sector (Q187)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Oui 167 38.1% 345 58.4%
Non 271 61.9% 246 41.6%
*(Missing)* 98 NA 170 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

6. PhD Value in Current Position

PhD required for the position (Q114)

PhD required for the position (Q114)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Oui 98 18.5% 350 46.4%
Non 431 81.5% 405 53.6%
*(Missing)* 7 NA 6 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

PhD as an asset (Q115)

PhD perceived as an asset for the position (Q115)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Non 229 43.4% 159 21.1%
Oui 201 38.1% 244 32.4%
Requis 98 18.6% 350 46.5%
*(Missing)* 8 NA 8 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

Required qualification level (Q116)

Required qualification level for the position (Q116)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Aucun 21 4.9% 5 1.2%
Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur (CESS) 6 1.4% 1 0.2%
Bachelier 36 8.4% 21 5.2%
Master 358 83.3% 360 89.3%
Je ne sais pas 9 2.1% 16 4.0%
*(Missing)* 106 NA 358 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

PhD recognised as added value (Q217)

PhD recognised as added value in current job (Q217)
Low Research
High research
Category N % N %
Pas du tout d'accord 83 15.8% 39 5.2%
Plutôt pas d'accord 70 13.4% 56 7.5%
Ni d'accord, ni pas d'accord 95 18.1% 108 14.5%
Plutôt d'accord 170 32.4% 287 38.4%
Tout à fait d'accord 106 20.2% 257 34.4%
*(Missing)* 12 NA 14 NA
Low Research n = 536 | High research n = 761

7. Reasons for leaving academic career

Reasons for leaving academic career (Q99)

Reasons for leaving academic career
Low research
High research
Category N % N %
Biases Discrimination 34 9.0% 61 12.1%
Creativity Outside Academia 28 7.4% 43 8.5%
More Useful Outside 84 22.2% 111 22.0%
Better Conditions Outside 115 30.4% 218 43.3%
Work Life Difficulty 117 31.0% 153 30.4%
Burnout 56 14.8% 41 8.1%
Precarity Lack Opportunities 277 73.3% 368 73.0%
Loss Of Meaning 53 14.0% 47 9.3%
Applied Concrete Work 143 37.8% 210 41.7%
Loneliness 39 10.3% 42 8.3%

8. Skills Used in Current Job (Q120)

Skills Used in Current Job
Low research
High research
Category N % N %
Use Scientific Expertise 338 68.1% 640 89.4%
Use Research Methods 231 46.5% 583 81.8%
Use Critical Thinking 457 91.6% 688 96.2%
Use Problem Solving 456 91.4% 680 95.5%
Use Business Skills 160 33.1% 253 36.2%
Use Project Management 324 65.7% 578 81.5%
Use Team Management 255 51.5% 407 57.2%
Use Teamwork 440 88.9% 677 95.0%
Use Social Skills 470 94.9% 668 94.2%
Use Initiative Autonomy 469 94.4% 674 94.8%
Use Flexibility 470 94.4% 685 95.9%
Use Creativity 397 79.6% 626 88.0%
Use Science Communication 258 52.0% 562 78.9%
Use Science Outreach 308 62.3% 532 74.7%

9. Job Satisfaction (Q149)

Mean

Satisfaction at work
Low research
High research
Category Mean Mean
Working Conditions 3.82 3.99
Societal Contribution 3.97 4.00
Intellectual Challenge 3.61 4.01
Responsibility Level 3.72 3.86
Career Prospects 3.22 3.42
Salary Benefits 3.52 3.73
Work Life Balance 3.83 3.98
Supervisor Relations 3.90 3.96
Colleague Relations 4.10 4.24
Job Security 3.63 3.66
Use Phd Skills 3.32 3.91
Overall 3.79 3.94

Distribution

Satisfaction
Low research
High research
Category N % N %
Satisfaction Working Conditions : 1 19 3.5% 24 3.2%
Satisfaction Working Conditions : 2 50 9.3% 45 5.9%
Satisfaction Working Conditions : 3 84 15.7% 77 10.1%
Satisfaction Working Conditions : 4 224 41.8% 372 48.9%
Satisfaction Working Conditions : 5 148 27.6% 235 30.9%
Satisfaction Working Conditions : Na 11 2.1% 8 1.1%
Satisfaction Societal Contribution : 1 16 3.0% 13 1.7%
Satisfaction Societal Contribution : 2 24 4.5% 44 5.8%
Satisfaction Societal Contribution : 3 94 17.5% 117 15.4%
Satisfaction Societal Contribution : 4 220 41.0% 334 43.9%
Satisfaction Societal Contribution : 5 173 32.3% 247 32.5%
Satisfaction Societal Contribution : Na 9 1.7% 6 0.8%
Satisfaction Intellectual Challenge : 1 26 4.9% 21 2.8%
Satisfaction Intellectual Challenge : 2 69 12.9% 46 6.0%
Satisfaction Intellectual Challenge : 3 103 19.2% 98 12.9%
Satisfaction Intellectual Challenge : 4 214 39.9% 326 42.8%
Satisfaction Intellectual Challenge : 5 115 21.5% 264 34.7%
Satisfaction Intellectual Challenge : Na 9 1.7% 6 0.8%
Satisfaction Responsibility Level : 1 22 4.1% 14 1.8%
Satisfaction Responsibility Level : 2 49 9.1% 63 8.3%
Satisfaction Responsibility Level : 3 109 20.3% 130 17.1%
Satisfaction Responsibility Level : 4 217 40.5% 359 47.2%
Satisfaction Responsibility Level : 5 128 23.9% 189 24.8%
Satisfaction Responsibility Level : Na 11 2.1% 6 0.8%
Satisfaction Career Prospects : 1 54 10.1% 59 7.8%
Satisfaction Career Prospects : 2 81 15.1% 105 13.8%
Satisfaction Career Prospects : 3 151 28.2% 170 22.3%
Satisfaction Career Prospects : 4 171 31.9% 295 38.8%
Satisfaction Career Prospects : 5 68 12.7% 124 16.3%
Satisfaction Career Prospects : Na 11 2.1% 8 1.1%
Satisfaction Salary Benefits : 1 44 8.2% 44 5.8%
Satisfaction Salary Benefits : 2 65 12.1% 80 10.5%
Satisfaction Salary Benefits : 3 106 19.8% 101 13.3%
Satisfaction Salary Benefits : 4 197 36.8% 338 44.4%
Satisfaction Salary Benefits : 5 115 21.5% 189 24.8%
Satisfaction Salary Benefits : Na 9 1.7% 9 1.2%
Satisfaction Work Life Balance : 1 21 3.9% 22 2.9%
Satisfaction Work Life Balance : 2 60 11.2% 69 9.1%
Satisfaction Work Life Balance : 3 77 14.4% 92 12.1%
Satisfaction Work Life Balance : 4 197 36.8% 290 38.1%
Satisfaction Work Life Balance : 5 172 32.1% 281 36.9%
Satisfaction Work Life Balance : Na 9 1.7% 7 0.9%
Satisfaction Supervisor Relations : 1 16 3.0% 30 3.9%
Satisfaction Supervisor Relations : 2 40 7.5% 59 7.8%
Satisfaction Supervisor Relations : 3 78 14.6% 72 9.5%
Satisfaction Supervisor Relations : 4 185 34.5% 314 41.3%
Satisfaction Supervisor Relations : 5 158 29.5% 249 32.7%
Satisfaction Supervisor Relations : Na 59 11.0% 37 4.9%
Satisfaction Colleague Relations : 1 19 3.5% 13 1.7%
Satisfaction Colleague Relations : 2 24 4.5% 34 4.5%
Satisfaction Colleague Relations : 3 63 11.8% 67 8.8%
Satisfaction Colleague Relations : 4 197 36.8% 283 37.2%
Satisfaction Colleague Relations : 5 223 41.6% 358 47.0%
Satisfaction Colleague Relations : Na 10 1.9% 6 0.8%
Satisfaction Job Security : 1 69 12.9% 66 8.7%
Satisfaction Job Security : 2 66 12.3% 100 13.1%
Satisfaction Job Security : 3 56 10.4% 102 13.4%
Satisfaction Job Security : 4 136 25.4% 240 31.5%
Satisfaction Job Security : 5 199 37.1% 245 32.2%
Satisfaction Job Security : Na 10 1.9% 8 1.1%
Satisfaction Use Phd Skills : 1 46 8.6% 34 4.5%
Satisfaction Use Phd Skills : 2 82 15.3% 59 7.8%
Satisfaction Use Phd Skills : 3 136 25.4% 94 12.4%
Satisfaction Use Phd Skills : 4 182 34.0% 323 42.4%
Satisfaction Use Phd Skills : 5 80 14.9% 244 32.1%
Satisfaction Use Phd Skills : Na 10 1.9% 7 0.9%
Satisfaction Overall : 1 12 2.2% 12 1.6%
Satisfaction Overall : 2 37 6.9% 48 6.3%
Satisfaction Overall : 3 97 18.1% 97 12.7%
Satisfaction Overall : 4 283 52.8% 414 54.4%
Satisfaction Overall : 5 98 18.3% 181 23.8%
Satisfaction Overall : Na 9 1.7% 9 1.2%

Report generated with Quarto. Low Research group defined as Doc2025_LR · High research as Doc2025.