O DOUTORADO ALÉM DA ACADEMIA: INSERÇÃO DE PESQUISADORES NA INDÚSTRIA FARMACÊUTICA E DE DISPOSITIVOS MÉDICOS

Doctoral education has historically been associated with academic careers, particularly in teaching and research. However, in contemporary contexts, there is a mismatch between the increasing number of PhDs and the limited availability of academic positions. This scenario has prompted a reconfiguration of professional pathways, with PhDs increasingly finding opportunities in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, where their clinical, analytical, and research expertise can be applied. This article discusses transformations in the labor market for PhDs, analyzing national and international employability data, describing strategic roles available in the industry, and identifying the technical and behavioral competencies valued in this sector. The methodology is qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive, based on documentary analysis and secondary data review. The results indicate that the pharmaceutical and medical device industries offer multiple career opportunities for PhDs, in both technical and strategic positions, with emphasis on clinical research, medical and regulatory affairs, product development, and technological innovation. It is concluded that doctoral education transcends academia, representing a strategic asset for bridging science and industry, with significant impacts on public health, innovation, and industrial development.