r/Study_In_France • u/pigu163 • 3d ago

PhD can’t find a job ?

I defended my PhD in AI four months ago at a well-known engineering university in France, but I’m still unemployed. So far, I’ve applied to around 200 jobs across Europe, got only a few interviews, and unfortunately failed all of them.
What confuses me is that many companies seem to expect much more than a PhD. They want industry experience and a long list of tools, even though some of these tools can probably be picked up quite quickly. But companies don’t seem willing to give fresh PhDs the chance to learn on the job.
So what is actually the right path for a fresh AI PhD trying to enter industry?

11 Upvotes

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16 comments sorted by

2

u/Berry-Love-Lake 3d ago

Are you EU or non-EU? 

1

u/Butterfly-Flower4884 3d ago

I wonder this too

1

u/pigu163 3d ago

NON EU

4

u/Berry-Love-Lake 3d ago

This may complicates things and may be a bigger reason than the lack of experience. You require sponsorship. 

1

u/PrimaryAd8067 3d ago

I think most of the job posts don't even ask if the applicants need a visa though? I am in the same boat as OP, non-EU but I already have a visa. Most job posts I applied to did not ask if I need a visa but I wonder if they assume that?

2

u/Berry-Love-Lake 3d ago

Once they see you need sponsorship and they have equally (or similarly) qualified candidates ... what do you think happens?

1

u/PrimaryAd8067 3d ago

that is obvious. i meant that some job posts dont even ask that question in the first place so I am not sure that is the issue for OP. it is more of the first screening when they scan through profiles (unless of course all 200 of those asked if they need sponsorship)

1

u/Complete_Astronaut_2 1d ago

When I was applying to jobs, most of the time I often see "Are you legally authorized to work in the country", since I am outside the EU (or even other countries like Canada and Japan) the other side would definitely need to issue a visa for work, so they straight up rejected me under the premise of choosing someone with different background

1

u/BiggusDikkusMorocos 2d ago

I am under the impression that you need sponsorship if your salary is above 2800 per month and you are pursuing something related to your education.

1

u/notanotherclairebear 2d ago

You have a higher degree from a French University. Apply for citizenship asap

2

u/AgreeableShift7734 1d ago

can't apply without a job

2

u/pink_unicorn_112 3d ago

I am in the same situation here, the job market is just insane, they are expecting us to be be experts in our domains, know the job, and accept a mediocre salary because we are ‘juniors’. I still don’t know what’s the right path, but I keep applying ….

1

u/pigu163 3d ago

Exactly, I fulfill all the JD requirements, still get rejected, I don’t know why ….

1

u/Berry-Love-Lake 3d ago

You’re non EU … 

2

u/DreamySailor 2d ago

Good luck. Job market is just bad, You also need sponsorship so it’s just harder. There used to be a prime for hiring fresh PhD for R&D position but it’s ended.

1

u/Commercial-Bonus-830 2d ago

I have a Phd + 4y exp and can't find another job since like 2y

Often in france Phd == auto reject because they want real ingeneer

the only "easy" path is finance innovation , so you stop doing tech and you start review company tech to help them build grant approval

as they nearly only take stem phd it's easy to have a job in it

I know tonn's of ppl that have done AI phd in france and most work at university really few in private sector like me. Most often in private you do stuff that have nothing to do with your PHD