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RSE International Survey 2018

Previous employment

  1. Questions in this section
  2. Australia
  3. Germany
  4. New Zealand
  5. South Africa
  6. United Kingdom
  7. United States
  8. World

Several questions were about the participants’ previous job. The idea is to collect insights of their career path and understand what their motivations are to be an RSE.

We also asked the participants to rank the reasons why they chose their actual position among 8 different ones:

  • Desire to work in a research environment
  • Freedom to choose own working practices
  • Desire to advance research
  • I want to learn new skills
  • Opportunity to develop software
  • Flexible working hours
  • Ability to work across disciplines
  • Opportunity for career advancement
  • The salary

Questions in this section

  • Where was your previous job based? (single choice)
  • What were the reasons to choose the current job? (ranking)

Australia

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for Australia Count Percentage
University 55 58.5106
Private company 21 22.3404
Government 9 9.57447
National laboratory 5 5.31915
Other 3 3.19149
Non-profit organization 1 1.06383

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2021-08-04T21:05:18.513389 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 University Private company Government National laboratory Other Non-profit organization Where the previous job was based, Australia

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Desire to work in a research environment 28.5714 15.3061 12.3711 10.3093 9.27835 nan nan nan
Freedom to choose own working practices 17.3469 11.2245 9.27835 13.4021 8.24742 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 15.3061 14.2857 16.4948 12.3711 10.3093 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 12.2449 11.2245 12.3711 10.3093 11.3402 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines 7.14286 11.2245 8.24742 7.21649 10.3093 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 7.14286 13.2653 9.27835 13.4021 14.433 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 6.12245 6.12245 10.3093 9.27835 13.4021 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 5.10204 12.2449 10.3093 11.3402 13.4021 nan nan nan
The salary 1.02041 5.10204 11.3402 12.3711 9.27835 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:19.175210 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 29 15 12 10 9 17 11 9 13 8 15 14 16 12 10 12 11 12 10 11 7 11 8 7 10 7 13 9 13 14 6 6 10 9 13 5 12 10 11 13 5 11 12 9 Reasons to choose current job: Australia Desire to work in a research environment Freedom to choose own working practices Desire to advance research Opportunity to develop software Ability to work across disciplines I want to learn new skills Opportunity for career advancement Flexible working hours The salary

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Germany

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for Germany Count Percentage Percentage in 2017 Difference with previous year
University 144 46.0064 54.1139 -8.10753
Private Company 58 18.5304 10.443 8.08731
Other 40 12.7796 10.443 2.33651
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres 31 9.90415 6.96203 2.94213
Leibniz Association 11 3.51438 3.79747 -0.283091
Fraunhofer Society 10 3.19489 nan nan
Max Planck Society 9 2.8754 11.0759 -8.20055
University of Applied Sciences 5 1.59744 0.949367 0.648077
Government 5 1.59744 2.21519 -0.617746

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2021-08-04T21:05:19.840009 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 10 20 30 40 Government University of Applied Sciences Max Planck Society Fraunhofer Society Leibniz Association Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres Other Private Company University 2% 2% 3% 3% 4% 10% 13% 19% 46% Where the previous job was based, Germany −5 0 5 Δ

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Desire to work in a research environment 24.2236 15.528 14.9533 8.09969 7.1875 nan nan nan
Freedom to choose own working practices 23.913 16.7702 14.9533 9.03427 13.4375 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 16.4596 12.7329 8.09969 9.34579 7.1875 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 12.7329 13.354 15.2648 15.5763 14.6875 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 8.38509 13.9752 14.9533 10.5919 9.6875 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 4.65839 4.03727 7.47664 7.47664 7.1875 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines 3.41615 11.8012 9.03427 14.9533 12.5 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 3.41615 9.62733 11.838 17.4455 18.4375 nan nan nan
The salary 2.79503 2.17391 3.42679 7.47664 9.6875 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:20.614701 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 24 16 15 8 7 24 17 15 9 13 16 13 8 9 7 13 13 15 16 15 8 14 15 11 10 5 7 7 7 12 9 15 12 10 12 17 18 7 10 Reasons to choose current job: Germany Desire to work in a research environment Freedom to choose own working practices Desire to advance research I want to learn new skills Opportunity to develop software Opportunity for career advancement Ability to work across disciplines Flexible working hours The salary

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New Zealand

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for New Zealand Count Percentage
University 14 40
Private company 8 22.8571
Government 5 14.2857
Non-profit organization 4 11.4286
National laboratory 3 8.57143
Other 1 2.85714

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2021-08-04T21:05:21.161112 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 University Private company Government Non-profit organization National laboratory Other Where the previous job was based, New Zealand

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Desire to work in a research environment 22.2222 13.8889 19.4444 nan 11.1111 nan nan nan
Freedom to choose own working practices 22.2222 5.55556 nan 11.1111 13.8889 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 13.8889 5.55556 19.4444 8.33333 11.1111 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 13.8889 22.2222 11.1111 19.4444 8.33333 nan nan nan
The salary 8.33333 5.55556 2.77778 16.6667 2.77778 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines 5.55556 8.33333 13.8889 13.8889 5.55556 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 5.55556 13.8889 11.1111 16.6667 19.4444 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 5.55556 5.55556 2.77778 5.55556 16.6667 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 2.77778 19.4444 19.4444 8.33333 11.1111 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:21.797817 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 22 14 19 11 22 6 11 14 14 6 19 8 11 14 22 11 19 8 8 6 17 6 8 14 14 6 6 14 11 17 19 6 6 6 17 19 19 8 11 Reasons to choose current job: New Zealand Desire to work in a research environment Freedom to choose own working practices Desire to advance research Opportunity to develop software The salary Ability to work across disciplines I want to learn new skills Opportunity for career advancement Flexible working hours

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South Africa

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for South Africa Count Percentage Percentage in 2017 Difference with previous year
University 13 61.9048 57.8947 4.01003
National laboratory 3 14.2857 nan nan
Non-profit organization 2 9.52381 nan nan
Other 1 4.7619 nan nan
Government 1 4.7619 nan nan
Private company 1 4.7619 nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:22.370142 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Private company Government Other Non-profit organization National laboratory University 5% 5% 5% 10% 14% 62% Where the previous job was based, South Africa 0.0 2.5 Δ

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Desire to work in a research environment 26.087 8.69565 17.3913 13.0435 nan nan nan nan
Freedom to choose own working practices 17.3913 8.69565 8.69565 4.34783 4.34783 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 13.0435 17.3913 30.4348 8.69565 8.69565 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 13.0435 8.69565 8.69565 8.69565 17.3913 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 8.69565 17.3913 4.34783 8.69565 13.0435 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 8.69565 8.69565 8.69565 13.0435 17.3913 nan nan nan
The salary 8.69565 13.0435 8.69565 4.34783 8.69565 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 4.34783 4.34783 13.0435 8.69565 8.69565 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines nan 13.0435 nan 30.4348 21.7391 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:23.053273 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 26 9 17 13 17 9 9 13 17 30 9 9 13 9 9 9 17 9 17 9 13 9 9 9 13 17 9 13 9 9 13 9 9 13 30 22 Reasons to choose current job: South Africa Desire to work in a research environment Freedom to choose own working practices Desire to advance research I want to learn new skills Flexible working hours Opportunity for career advancement The salary Opportunity to develop software Ability to work across disciplines

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United Kingdom

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for United Kingdom Count Percentage Percentage in 2017 Difference with previous year
University 138 64.7887 49.1667 15.6221
Private company 43 20.1878 25.8333 -5.64554
Other 13 6.10329 3.33333 2.76995
National laboratory 9 4.22535 6.25 -2.02465
Government 6 2.8169 3.33333 -0.516432
Non-profit organization 4 1.87793 nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:23.616677 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Non-profit organization Government National laboratory Other Private company University 2% 3% 4% 6% 20% 65% Where the previous job was based, United Kingdom 0 10 Δ

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Desire to work in a research environment 25.5507 17.2566 15.0442 10.177 10.177 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 22.467 18.5841 10.177 11.5044 5.75221 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 16.2996 17.2566 15.4867 9.73451 7.9646 nan nan nan
Freedom to choose own working practices 8.81057 7.9646 11.5044 12.8319 15.9292 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 8.81057 9.73451 8.84956 7.07965 9.29204 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 7.48899 10.6195 10.6195 14.1593 16.3717 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 5.28634 7.52212 9.73451 11.5044 15.4867 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines 2.64317 7.52212 10.6195 15.9292 10.6195 nan nan nan
The salary 2.64317 3.53982 7.9646 7.07965 8.40708 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:24.331073 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 26 17 15 10 10 22 19 10 12 6 16 17 15 10 8 9 8 12 13 16 9 10 9 7 9 7 11 11 14 16 5 8 10 12 15 8 11 16 11 8 7 8 Reasons to choose current job: United Kingdom Desire to work in a research environment Desire to advance research Opportunity to develop software Freedom to choose own working practices Opportunity for career advancement I want to learn new skills Flexible working hours Ability to work across disciplines The salary

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United States

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for United States Count Percentage Percentage in 2017 Difference with previous year
University 76 53.9007 48.4076 5.49307
Private company 40 28.3688 22.9299 5.43886
National laboratory 8 5.67376 6.36943 -0.695668
Other 7 4.96454 nan nan
Non-profit organization 6 4.25532 nan nan
Government 4 2.83688 nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:24.915659 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 10 20 30 40 50 Government Non-profit organization Other National laboratory Private company University 3% 4% 5% 6% 28% 54% Where the previous job was based, United States 0 5 Δ

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Desire to work in a research environment 27.7778 20.1389 11.8056 11.8881 9.79021 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 22.9167 13.1944 13.1944 7.69231 6.29371 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 12.5 7.63889 12.5 17.4825 12.5874 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 9.02778 8.33333 11.8056 11.8881 15.3846 nan nan nan
The salary 8.33333 9.72222 6.25 6.29371 8.39161 nan nan nan
Freedom to choose own working practices 7.63889 11.8056 15.2778 12.5874 9.79021 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 7.63889 12.5 9.02778 6.99301 6.29371 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 2.77778 6.25 10.4167 16.0839 17.4825 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines 1.38889 10.4167 9.72222 9.09091 13.986 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:25.696172 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 28 20 12 12 10 23 13 13 8 6 12 8 12 17 13 9 8 12 12 15 8 10 6 6 8 8 12 15 13 10 8 12 9 7 6 6 10 16 17 10 10 9 14 Reasons to choose current job: United States Desire to work in a research environment Desire to advance research Opportunity to develop software I want to learn new skills The salary Freedom to choose own working practices Opportunity for career advancement Flexible working hours Ability to work across disciplines

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World

Where the previous job was based

Where the previous job was based for World Count Percentage
University 24 48.9796
Private company 11 22.449
National laboratory 5 10.2041
Non-profit organization 3 6.12245
Government 3 6.12245
Other 2 4.08163
NGO 1 2.04082

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2021-08-04T21:05:26.247815 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 10 20 30 40 50 University Private company National laboratory Government Non-profit organization Other NGO Where the previous job was based, World

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What were the reasons to choose the current job

Reasons to choose current job Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 6 Rank 7 Rank 8
Freedom to choose own working practices 30 14 6 10 6 nan nan nan
Desire to advance research 22 10 12 10 8 nan nan nan
Desire to work in a research environment 18 24 16 12 10 nan nan nan
Flexible working hours 8 12 12 14 16 nan nan nan
I want to learn new skills 6 4 14 14 18 nan nan nan
Opportunity for career advancement 6 10 4 4 8 nan nan nan
Opportunity to develop software 6 16 8 16 10 nan nan nan
The salary 4 4 8 6 12 nan nan nan
Ability to work across disciplines nan 6 20 14 12 nan nan nan

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2021-08-04T21:05:26.879614 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.4.2, https://matplotlib.org/ 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ranking of importance Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 Percentage 30 14 6 10 6 22 10 12 10 8 18 24 16 12 10 8 12 12 14 16 6 14 14 18 6 10 8 6 16 8 16 10 8 6 12 6 20 14 12 Reasons to choose current job: World Freedom to choose own working practices Desire to advance research Desire to work in a research environment Flexible working hours I want to learn new skills Opportunity for career advancement Opportunity to develop software The salary Ability to work across disciplines

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