What career path is possible in academia if you don’t want to become a Professor?
As you may have noticed, I’m currently on a mission to help you explore the possible career paths you might consider after your PhD.
Last week you learned more about opportunities outside of academia, for example in industry, NGOs, as a writer or editor, in sales or marketing, etc.
This week, we’re going back to the academic world.
Hold on – are we going to talk about the traditional academic career? Like becoming a professor and all that?
Nope.
This week we’re looking at “alternative academic careers”, or alt-acs for short.
Basically, when thinking about a career in academia, the majority of early-career researchers think about the typical academic career path of climbing the academic ladder after a PhD and getting a professorship.
Alt-ac careers are career paths that take place within the academic world, but which do not lead to a professorship.
Let’s talk about semantics for a minute. If you read more about this topic online, you’ll see that the term “alt-ac” can be used to refer to different situations. Originally, it’s an umbrella term that refers to careers in higher education other than tenure-track faculty positions. Nowadays, it can also be used to refer to a wider range of careers, including administrative, non-profit and government positions. This is particularly true in the humanities (literature, history, philosophy, languages, etc.), social sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, etc.), arts and sciences, cultural studies, public health, and international relations.
In this newsletter, we focus exclusively on the alternative career paths you can consider within academia. You’ll discover seven possible directions that you can consider after your PhD in academia if you’re not interested in the traditional path to a professorship, including pros and cons for each of them.
1️⃣ Research Assistant/Lab Technician/Lab Manager
These roles involve supporting scientific research through conducting experiments, managing laboratory equipment, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of a research lab to ensure projects progress efficiently and safely.
✅: Provides hands-on experience in research projects, opportunity to work closely with senior researchers and professors, and a chance to contribute significantly to research outputs.
❌: Limited scope for independent research. Positions are often seen as entry-level and may not offer a clear path to career advancement within academia.
2️⃣ Junior Lecturer/Teaching Fellow/Program Coordinator
Individuals in these positions contribute to academia by teaching courses, assisting with curriculum development, and coordinating educational programs, providing students with knowledge and support throughout their academic journey.
✅: Great for those passionate about teaching. It allows for the development of teaching skills, curriculum design, and direct interaction with students. It can be rewarding to see the impact of your teaching on students.
❌: The focus is more on teaching than research, which might not align with everyone’s career goals. Positions can be temporary or part-time, with varying levels of job security.
3️⃣ Project Manager/Coordinator in Research Projects
Project managers and coordinators oversee the planning, execution, and completion of research projects, ensuring that the project meets its objectives within the allocated time and budget, and facilitating communication among team members and stakeholders.
✅: Involves managing research projects, which can offer valuable experience in leadership, budgeting, and administration. It’s an excellent opportunity to work on a variety of projects and see them from conception to completion. Contact with other (international) groups from other disciplines (in case of big consortium projects).
❌: Less focus on conducting your own research. The role can be demanding, requiring juggling multiple tasks and deadlines. It also requires you to manage PIs and encourage them to respect deadlines. You are also often a contact person.
4️⃣ Research Administrator/Grant Office
Research administrators and grant office personnel manage the administrative and financial aspects of research projects, including grant application and compliance, budgeting, and ensuring adherence to institutional and regulatory policies.
✅: Plays a crucial role in the research ecosystem of an institution by managing grants, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting the research community. It offers a stable career path within academia without the pressure of publishing.
❌: Limited or no involvement in actual research. The role can be bureaucratic and involve navigating complex institutional policies.
5️⃣ Technology Transfer Office
Professionals in Technology Transfer Offices are responsible for identifying research with commercial potential, protecting intellectual property, and facilitating the transfer of technology from academia to the market through licensing agreements or startup creation.
✅: Allows individuals to play a pivotal role in turning academic research into tangible products and services, fostering innovation, and driving societal and economic impact.
❌: The role can involve complex negotiations and bureaucratic hurdles, which may be challenging and time-consuming, potentially overshadowing the intrinsic value of the research.
6️⃣ Academic Advisor/Study Advisor/Career Counselor
These roles focus on guiding students through their academic and professional development, offering advice on course selection, career paths, and personal development to help students achieve their educational and career goals.
✅: Allows for direct impact on students’ academic and professional development. It can be satisfying to help students navigate their academic journey and career choices.
❌: Limited engagement with research activities. The role might require dealing with a significant amount of administrative tasks.
7️⃣ Science Communication/Outreach Coordinator
Science communicators and outreach coordinators engage with the public and specific communities to promote understanding of scientific research and its implications, using a variety of platforms to disseminate research findings and spark interest in science.
✅: Allows for creative expression and the opportunity to bring science to the public or specific communities. It can be highly rewarding to increase public engagement with science and research.
❌: May require skills not traditionally developed during a PhD, such as marketing, public speaking, and writing for non-academic audiences. Positions may be limited and competitive.
As a take-home message on alt-ac careers, I would like to emphasise the following:
💡 Alt-ac career paths are becoming increasingly relevant and offer excellent opportunities for those interested in working in academia, but not following the traditional career path to professorship;
💡 Your PhD program will NOT prepare you for these positions, so make sure you do your research and supplement your portfolio of skills with the necessary knowledge as needed.
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