[gradFUTURES] Global Careers: Thriving as an International Scientist & Scholar

As the PhD careers and R&D workforce demands become increasingly global, many scholars trained in U.S. universities, especially international graduate students, are reimagining where and how they build their careers. Rising global demand for PhD-level talent, evolving immigration policies, and shifting research funding landscapes are prompting scholars to look beyond U.S. borders for career opportunities, stability, and better quality of life.

In this GradFUTURES Forum online session, Sonali Majumdar, Assistant Dean for professional development on the GradFUTURES team of Princeton Graduate School and author of Thriving As An International Scientist, will guide participants through practical strategies for exploring global career pathways. Drawing on data, resources and real stories of U.S.-trained scientists who pursued careers in countries such as Canada, Japan and across the European Union after completing their PhD or postdoc in the U.S., she will share insights on:

• Identifying and evaluating international funding and career opportunities for PhDs

• Compare short- and long-term costs and benefits of relocating

• Understand immigration pathways and workforce development programs

• Navigating professional norms, job searches, and application processes in different countries

• Building networks with scientists who have successfully made similar transitions