Commercial research at universities and career choices of science and engineering doctoral students

We investigate the relationship between the levels of industry collaboration and entrepreneurial activities at universities and the employment choices of their science and engineering doctoral students. Using data from 176 U.S. universities over the period 1996-2005, we document that more interaction with industry at a university is typically associated with more of the university's doctoral students choosing industry employment. We also document a positive relationship between universities' licenses and startups and their graduates' post-doctoral study choices.