Biomedical Researchers Plan to Leave Academia
A March 2025 study reveals a significant decline in the career retention intentions of PhD students and postdocs.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Internships
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A survey conducted in March 2025 of 916 biomedical PhD students and postdoctoral researchers shows that intentions to stay in academia fell by 22 percentage points over six months. The findings highlight a shift in professional sentiment among emerging scientists in the United States.
Why it matters
The shift in career trajectory is driven by growing uncertainty regarding research funding and federal science policy. These concerns are impacting the long-term outlook for the domestic talent pipeline in critical research fields.
The study surveyed 916 participants across 770 biomedical labs at 134 institutions. Satisfaction with pursuing a PhD fell from 92 percent to 76 percent during the six-month study period.
The players
National Bureau of Economic Research
This private, non-profit research organization is dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works through unbiased economic research.
The details
The decline in retention interest was more pronounced among foreign-born scientists, whose desire to remain in the United States dropped by 31 percent. US-born respondents also showed a decline, with their interest in staying in the country falling by 16 percent.
Timeline
September 2024: Baseline sentiment was measured for all study respondents.
March 2025: The survey was conducted to obtain second sentiment measurements.
2026: Future observations of researcher relocation and admissions trends are anticipated.
Market Landscape
The findings mirror broader anxieties within the scientific community regarding the National Institutes of Health research funding cycles. This shift in sentiment challenges the traditional academic career path and suggests a potential reconfiguration of the biomedical labor market.
The potential exodus of researchers from academia could lead to long-term disruptions in biomedical innovation and the speed of new medical discoveries. Students and professionals in the field may face an increasingly competitive and volatile environment as academic institutions adjust to these shifting retention patterns.
The takeaway
Rising uncertainty regarding federal science policy is significantly altering the professional landscape for early-career researchers. Emerging scientists should proactively diversify their career planning to account for potential instability in academic research sectors.
Further reading
Explore more trends and professional shifts in the Internships sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Scientist.
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