Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability

Abstract This study aims to enhance the industrial employability of PhD graduates through the development of the HIRES-PhD framework, an abbreviation of High Impact Research and Employability Skills for the PhD. It identifies and categorizes essential transversal skills. Using a systematic literatur...

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Main Authors: Debashish Roy, María Dolores Jiménez López, María Ercilia García Álvarez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-01-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04257-x
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author Debashish Roy
María Dolores Jiménez López
María Ercilia García Álvarez
author_facet Debashish Roy
María Dolores Jiménez López
María Ercilia García Álvarez
author_sort Debashish Roy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study aims to enhance the industrial employability of PhD graduates through the development of the HIRES-PhD framework, an abbreviation of High Impact Research and Employability Skills for the PhD. It identifies and categorizes essential transversal skills. Using a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, we screened 828 papers and selected 39 relevant studies to compile a database of 236 transversal skills. These skills were organized into 16 categories and further distilled into four overarching themes. The HIRES-PhD Framework is compared with traditional models like DOTS, USEM, and MCPHE, as well as recent European initiatives such as DocTalent4EU and OUTDOC. This comparison highlights the framework’s unique focus on doctoral training and industrial employability, unlike traditional models which often target broader educational contexts. Our findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to transversal skills training, tailored specifically to the needs of PhD graduates. The HIRES-PhD Framework serves as a comprehensive, data-driven tool for designing PhD programmes that align with industry demands, ensuring that doctoral training is relevant and effective in enhancing employability. In conclusion, the HIRES-PhD Framework significantly contributes to the improvement of doctoral education by providing a structured approach to transversal skills development, thus bridging the gap between academic training and industrial needs. This framework is a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, researchers, and employers aiming to optimize PhD programmes for better employment outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-31d722c015944bdf8efb44203293cfe22025-08-20T02:56:09ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-01-0112111610.1057/s41599-024-04257-xHires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employabilityDebashish Roy0María Dolores Jiménez López1María Ercilia García Álvarez2Universitat Rovira i VirgiliUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliAbstract This study aims to enhance the industrial employability of PhD graduates through the development of the HIRES-PhD framework, an abbreviation of High Impact Research and Employability Skills for the PhD. It identifies and categorizes essential transversal skills. Using a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, we screened 828 papers and selected 39 relevant studies to compile a database of 236 transversal skills. These skills were organized into 16 categories and further distilled into four overarching themes. The HIRES-PhD Framework is compared with traditional models like DOTS, USEM, and MCPHE, as well as recent European initiatives such as DocTalent4EU and OUTDOC. This comparison highlights the framework’s unique focus on doctoral training and industrial employability, unlike traditional models which often target broader educational contexts. Our findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to transversal skills training, tailored specifically to the needs of PhD graduates. The HIRES-PhD Framework serves as a comprehensive, data-driven tool for designing PhD programmes that align with industry demands, ensuring that doctoral training is relevant and effective in enhancing employability. In conclusion, the HIRES-PhD Framework significantly contributes to the improvement of doctoral education by providing a structured approach to transversal skills development, thus bridging the gap between academic training and industrial needs. This framework is a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, researchers, and employers aiming to optimize PhD programmes for better employment outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04257-x
spellingShingle Debashish Roy
María Dolores Jiménez López
María Ercilia García Álvarez
Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
title_full Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
title_fullStr Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
title_full_unstemmed Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
title_short Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
title_sort hires phd a transversal skills framework for diversifying phd employability
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04257-x
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AT mariaerciliagarciaalvarez hiresphdatransversalskillsframeworkfordiversifyingphdemployability