Research has revealed a lack of synergy between UK business and the country's up and coming science and technology talent.
The study asked over 300 post-graduates in this field about their career plans and experience of how academia and industry work together.
Around 82 per cent of respondents believed there should be more collaboration between academia and business/industry.
In addition, 80 per cent said that UK businesses need to provide more opportunities for post-graduates.
Furthermore, despite the public spend on science amounting to roughly GBP5bn a year, just over half (52 per cent) of respondents feel that there are too few research and development opportunities in the UK being supplied by the government or public sector.
The research also indicates that if businesses fail to provide opportunities for graduates to fulfil their potential in the UK, the best talent could move abroad.
The survey revealed that 76 per cent of respondents had considered moving to another country in order to gain experiences in research and development.
These results indicate that the security of the nation's industrial and economical progress will be at risk unless government and businesses make the UK a more attractive place to pursue a career.
The study was commissioned by the Toshiba Fellowship Programme, a UK-Japanese cross-cultural exchange aimed at sharing scientific and technological research knowledge and experience.
It was run in association with the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council), and conducted by ICM.
Research also showed that: 52 per cent of the current PhD students wanted to continue to study, but only 17 per cent of those who had graduated with PhD degrees had actually continued studying.
Competitiveness for jobs (22 per cent), choices available for employment (21 per cent) and potential salary (21 per cent) are the biggest concerns.
Nearly half (48 per cent) said they felt that the UK does not put enough investment into research and development, compared to other countries.
While many companies have a strong 'milk round' offering for fresh Bachelor-level graduates, this research reveals that the potential of post-graduates in science and technology fields is being ignored.
For example, when looking for careers or opportunities in continuing research in their specialist area of knowledge, only three per cent received guidance from business-run schemes compared to 45 per cent from tutors or universities.
David Gleaves, a former Toshiba Fellow who is now chief executive of Midtech, said: 'The UK is known for being home to some of the best universities in the world.
'The results of this survey show that businesses still aren't taking advantage of this knowledge.
'Companies need to work closely with academic institutions to spot innovative opportunities at the root.
'By ignoring this valuable resource on its doorstep, UK businesses are losing out on the talent needed to establish itself as a hotbed of innovation.
'Technology and science is not only a competitive environment in UK industry, it is also an essential area for development to make sure the country has the knowledge it needs to support its infrastructure in terms of transport, healthcare and energy.' The Toshiba Fellowship Programme was founded in 1983 and is currently celebrating its 25th year.
The scheme nurtures cross-cultural understanding between the UK, Europe and Japan.
The aim of the scheme is for fellows to build on their experiences following their return from Japan to generate new combinations of ideas and knowledge.
It has aided the career development and personal growth of 28 researchers who have gone on to become well-respected names in their fields.
