Why Do Some STEM Doctors in Tech Companies Go Back to Academia?

IF 4.4 Q1 Business, Management and Accounting

IEEE Engineering Management Review Pub Date : 2026-02-01 Epub Date: 2025-06-13 DOI:10.1109/EMR.2025.3579538

Hochan Lee;Sangyoon Yi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates why Ph.D.-qualified R&D engineers in the semiconductor industry sometimes transition back to academia or government research institutes. Using in-depth interviews with ten participants, we identified five core themes: 1) divergent priorities between academia and industry; 2) perceived underutilization of doctoral expertise; 3) constraints on sustained research productivity; 4) dissatisfaction with administrative responsibilities; and 5) favorable perceptions of academic roles. Notably, data from the Semiconductor Industry Association and the National Science Board indicate the critical yet evolving role of doctoral talent in driving semiconductor innovation. Actionable insights for managers include implementing hybrid roles that allow autonomy for deep research, adjusting intellectual property policies to support conference and journal publication, and rethinking short-term deliverables to better align with the long-term value Ph.D. holders can offer. The findings suggest that industry stakeholders must address structural and cultural issues to retain this crucial segment of talent.

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为什么一些科技公司的STEM医生会回到学术界？

本定性研究调查了为什么半导体行业具有博士资格的研发工程师有时会转回学术界或政府研究机构。通过对10位参与者的深入访谈，我们确定了五个核心主题：1)学术界和产业界之间的优先事项分歧；2)博士专业知识未被充分利用；3)持续科研生产力的制约因素；4)对行政责任不满意；5)对学术角色的良好认知。值得注意的是，来自半导体行业协会和国家科学委员会的数据表明，博士人才在推动半导体创新方面的作用至关重要，但仍在不断发展。对于管理人员来说，可操作的见解包括实施混合角色，允许深度研究的自主权，调整知识产权政策以支持会议和期刊出版，以及重新考虑短期交付成果，以更好地与博士学位持有人可以提供的长期价值保持一致。研究结果表明，行业利益相关者必须解决结构和文化问题，以留住这一关键人才。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

IEEE Engineering Management Review Business, Management and Accounting-Management of Technology and Innovation

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

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