3-Minute Read | Preparing Doctoral Talent for a Digital Future: Insights from Dow’s ADISE Program
Feb. 3, 2026—NSF data show that a growing share of doctoral students in engineering and the physical sciences are moving into industry rather than academia. While traditional PhD programs emphasize deep technical specialization, employers are signaling that future researchers must also be fluent in digitalization tools like data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI), that allow them to operate across disciplines and functions. Dow Inc.’s Advanced Digital Internships for Scientists and Engineers (ADISE) program provides a current example of how industry is responding to this challenge through structured, paid doctoral internships that emphasize applied learning.
The ADISE program is managed by Karena Lekich, a senior R&D leader at Dow responsible for early-career development programs aligned with the company’s talent acquisition strategy. A recent UIDP-hosted webinar offers insights into how ADISE is evolving, how success is being measured, and where universities and industry can strengthen collaboration.
“Dual-domain talent”
ADISE is designed to develop what Dow characterizes as “dual-domain talent”—PhD students with strong foundations in traditional STEM disciplines and capabilities in data science, machine learning, AI, and advanced analytics. Unlike ad hoc doctoral internships, ADISE operates as a centralized program intended to scale across regions and functions.
Recent program data indicates that ADISE internships now span multiple business and functional areas, including R&D, manufacturing, supply chain management, information technology, environmental health, and safety. Interns work on projects aligned with enterprise priorities such as accelerating innovation cycles, enabling predictive intelligence, advancing sustainability goals, and improving operational safety. The program also offers flexibility of work location, with interns able to either work on-site or virtually from their home location.
The company evaluates the success of the ADISE program using four measures: intern experience, learning outcomes, project impact, and assessment of longer-term career potential. Word-of-mouth referrals are a primary driver of program awareness, underscoring the importance of intern experience in talent attraction. In the recent UIDP seminar, Lekich says applications to the program increased by 80% from 2024 to 2025, and nearly all interns in the most recent cohort indicate that they would consider Dow as a future employer and recommend the company to their peers. Interns also report increased confidence in applying their skills in industry contexts and improved understanding of the job market. From Dow’s perspective, internships serve as a de-risking mechanism, allowing teams to assess emerging skill sets and cultural fit while delivering tangible project value during the internship period.
Why It Matters
The ADISE program demonstrates how doctoral internships can function as a strategic workforce development tool. For universities, these programs provide students with applied experience that complements academic research and informs their career decision-making.
We want to hear from you. How is your university or industry organization using doctoral internships to prepare PhD candidates for the current research climate? Share your thoughts on research funding models via our LinkedIn.
The 3-Minute Read is a UIDP member information piece and does not represent the opinions of our members or representatives. We welcome your comments on our LinkedIn profile.
Go Deeper
UIDP. (2025, November 4). Dow’s advanced digital internships for scientists and engineers [Webinar]. https://uidp.org/webinar/dows-advanced-digital-internships/
UIDP. (2024, July 23). Dow’s advanced digital internships for scientists and engineers (ADISE) program [Webinar]. https://uidp.org/webinar/dows-advanced-digital-internships-for-scientists-and-engineers-adise-program/