Research Career Research Career DevelopmentDevelopment

Academic ScienceAcademic Science

Gail P. TaylorGail P. Taylor

Fall 2010Fall 2010

10/19/2010

ReferencesReferences

► Academic Scientists at Work: Giving It 110%, Academic Scientists at Work: Giving It 110%, JEREMY M. BOSS,  JEREMY M. BOSS,  SUSAN H. ECKERT 13 FEBRUARY 2004 SUSAN H. ECKERT 13 FEBRUARY 2004 http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_ihttp://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_i

ssues/articles/2870/academic_scientists_at_work_giving_it_110ssues/articles/2870/academic_scientists_at_work_giving_it_110 ► David A. Katerndahl , M.D.David A. Katerndahl , M.D.; Developing your Scholarship ; Developing your Scholarship

http://familymed.uthscsa.edu/facultydevelopment/elearning/shttp://familymed.uthscsa.edu/facultydevelopment/elearning/scholarship.htmcholarship.htm

► Bland CJ, Schmitz CC.  Characteristics of the successful Bland CJ, Schmitz CC.  Characteristics of the successful researcher and implications for faculty development.  J Med researcher and implications for faculty development.  J Med Educ  1986; 61:22-31. Educ  1986; 61:22-31.

So…..So…..You’ve gotten your You’ve gotten your

Ph.D.Ph.D.

Now What?Now What?

Standard Ph.D. Professional Standard Ph.D. Professional PathPath

UG – BiologicalChemistry

M.S. Degree

Post BaccResearch

DoctoralStudies

Academic Postdoc

Industry Postdoc

Government Postdoc

ContinueEducation

Other Career

Academics

Government

Industry

Other

1-2 Yrs

UG – Engineering

EngineeringWork

3 - 6 Yrs

4 - 7 Yrs

And...And...You’ve Finished up a You’ve Finished up a

Postdoc or two…Postdoc or two…

Now What Now What Happens?Happens?

What Happens after Your What Happens after Your Postdoc?Postdoc?

►Get a job…Get a job… AcademiaAcademia

►Tenure TrackTenure Track►Non-tenure TrackNon-tenure Track

GovernmentGovernment IndustryIndustry Other…Other…

►Have prearranged to take some of Have prearranged to take some of your research projects with you, if your research projects with you, if academic…academic…

AcademiaAcademia

What is Academia?What is Academia?

►Academia – Academia – Collective term Collective term Scientific and cultural communityScientific and cultural community Usually Universities and Medical Usually Universities and Medical

Centers/SchoolsCenters/Schools Engaged in “Scholarly” activitiesEngaged in “Scholarly” activities

►Higher educationHigher education►Peer-reviewed research Peer-reviewed research

The Academic Life – The Academic Life – Faculty/Tenure Track Faculty/Tenure Track

PositionsPositions

Professors:Professors:► In the US…In the US…

Qualified individuals who do the following:Qualified individuals who do the following:►Tenure trackTenure track►““Profess” lectures and seminars in their field Profess” lectures and seminars in their field

of study of study ►Perform advanced research Perform advanced research ►Provide service, in their community or with Provide service, in their community or with

their organizationtheir organization►Train studentsTrain students

Grad and UGGrad and UG Med/Nursing/ProfessionalMed/Nursing/Professional

►Other training – Postdoc, New Faculty, etcOther training – Postdoc, New Faculty, etc

What does Tenure Track What does Tenure Track Mean?Mean?

►TenureTenure A status of continuing appointment as a A status of continuing appointment as a

faculty member faculty member Will not be fired, unless there is “due Will not be fired, unless there is “due

cause”cause”►Normally, illegal activityNormally, illegal activity

Allows academic “freedom”Allows academic “freedom”►Lack of retaliation for ideas, etc.Lack of retaliation for ideas, etc.

Must be Associate or Full Professor to Must be Associate or Full Professor to have tenure  have tenure 

Associate or Full Prof do not guarantee Associate or Full Prof do not guarantee continued job…continued job…

Professors in U.S. have RankProfessors in U.S. have Rank

► Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor Entry level probationary appointmentEntry level probationary appointment Usually after a postdoc or twoUsually after a postdoc or two Is “tenure track” (promotion in 3 – 7 years)Is “tenure track” (promotion in 3 – 7 years) After 7 years, must leaveAfter 7 years, must leave

► Associate ProfessorAssociate Professor Mid level positionMid level position Obtained tenure (usually)Obtained tenure (usually)

► (Full) Professor(Full) Professor Senior positionSenior position

Activities Academic ScientistActivities Academic Scientist►Further Institutions mission ofFurther Institutions mission of

Scholarship/InstructionScholarship/Instruction ResearchResearch ServiceService

►Relative importance of Research, Relative importance of Research, Teaching, Services varies with locationTeaching, Services varies with location St. Marys/Incarnate Word- Teaching, Service, St. Marys/Incarnate Word- Teaching, Service,

ResearchResearch UTSA- Research/Teaching, ServiceUTSA- Research/Teaching, Service UTHSCSA/Harvard – Research, Teaching, ServiceUTHSCSA/Harvard – Research, Teaching, Service

““Research” ActivitiesResearch” Activities

► ResearchResearch► Writing grantsWriting grants► Coordinate all projects in laboratoryCoordinate all projects in laboratory► Mentor graduate students/postdocsMentor graduate students/postdocs► Laboratory MeetingsLaboratory Meetings► Prepare for and teach an advanced course related Prepare for and teach an advanced course related

to your research fieldto your research field► Review manuscripts or grantsReview manuscripts or grants► Discuss science with a seminar speakerDiscuss science with a seminar speaker► Design of a new core facility that you will use for Design of a new core facility that you will use for

your research program your research program

Teaching…Teaching…

► Undergraduate InstitutionUndergraduate Institution Requirements vary…Requirements vary…

►Depends on InstitutionDepends on Institution Harvard (little student contact, if desired)Harvard (little student contact, if desired)

► May be released from all coursesMay be released from all courses UTSA (more hands on)UTSA (more hands on)

► Up to three coursesUp to three courses Medical Schools – Much less teachingMedical Schools – Much less teaching

►Depends on LevelDepends on Level Professors may have all “seminars” Professors may have all “seminars”

►Medical/Graduate School Medical/Graduate School Teach parts of individual classes…Teach parts of individual classes…

Service ActivitiesService Activities

►Admissions CommitteesAdmissions Committees►““Search” CommitteesSearch” Committees►Curriculum CommitteesCurriculum Committees►Budget CommitteesBudget Committees►Student RecruitmentStudent Recruitment

Perks of Academic LifePerks of Academic Life► Run your own small Run your own small

businessbusiness► Manage your own time Manage your own time

(very flexible)(very flexible)► Research in desired Research in desired

directiondirection Can explore questions all Can explore questions all

of your life!!!of your life!!!► Work in vibrant, living, Work in vibrant, living,

stimulating communitystimulating community► Travel all over the Travel all over the

world to conferencesworld to conferences► Talk to the smartest Talk to the smartest

people in the world!people in the world!

► Research is not routineResearch is not routine New techniquesNew techniques New discoveriesNew discoveries

► Collaborate all over the Collaborate all over the worldworld

► Have prestige and Have prestige and impactimpact Influence in communityInfluence in community Influence on worldInfluence on world Have a voice…Have a voice…

Problems with Academic LifeProblems with Academic Life

►Can be time-intensiveCan be time-intensive►Many things to balance at onceMany things to balance at once►Can have funding problemsCan have funding problems

Impact depends on locationImpact depends on location

► Increased administrative Increased administrative responsibilitiesresponsibilities Decreased research timeDecreased research time

Obtaining TenureObtaining Tenure

Getting TenureGetting Tenure► Work ~5 years (“Probationary” period)Work ~5 years (“Probationary” period)► Build up your CVBuild up your CV► Establish RelationshipsEstablish Relationships

Letters needed from Colleagues on campusLetters needed from Colleagues on campus Letters needed from Scientists off-campusLetters needed from Scientists off-campus

► Establish teachingEstablish teaching► Establish research and reputationEstablish research and reputation

GrantsGrants PublicationsPublications Invited lecturesInvited lectures Training recordTraining record

► Establish serviceEstablish service CommitteeCommittee CommunityCommunity

► Put together a box with materialsPut together a box with materials

The Tenure DecisionThe Tenure Decision► Made by Tenure Committee…Made by Tenure Committee…

ResearchResearch► GrantsGrants

Income to InstitutionIncome to Institution Very important – RO1 is almost guarantee…Very important – RO1 is almost guarantee…

► Creative Products Creative Products Publications (vary in importance)Publications (vary in importance) Inventions/PatentsInventions/Patents

► National ReputationNational Reputation Invited lecturesInvited lectures

TeachingTeaching► Decent rating, but generally least importantDecent rating, but generally least important

ServiceService► CommitteesCommittees

► Become Associate ProfessorBecome Associate Professor Increase in SalaryIncrease in Salary Yay! Tenure!Yay! Tenure!

UTSA Tenure at Assoc. LevelUTSA Tenure at Assoc. Level

► Effective teaching accompanied by program Effective teaching accompanied by program support such as curriculum development or support such as curriculum development or thesis/dissertation supervision as appropriate thesis/dissertation supervision as appropriate for the discipline.for the discipline.

► A focused program of research, creative A focused program of research, creative activities, and/or scholarly work that activities, and/or scholarly work that contributes to his or her fieldcontributes to his or her field as judged by peer as judged by peer review.review.

► Service demonstrating peer-recognized Service demonstrating peer-recognized contributions to the university, profession, and contributions to the university, profession, and community as appropriate for the discipline.community as appropriate for the discipline.

UTSA Tenure at Full ProfessorUTSA Tenure at Full Professor

► Teaching and program support that are Teaching and program support that are effective.effective.

► A A nationally-recognized body of quality researchnationally-recognized body of quality research, , creative activities and/or scholarly work, as creative activities and/or scholarly work, as defined above, that contributes significantly to defined above, that contributes significantly to the field and represents continuing the field and represents continuing accomplishment as judged by peer review.accomplishment as judged by peer review.

► Service demonstrating peer-recognized Service demonstrating peer-recognized leadership to the university, the profession, and leadership to the university, the profession, and the community as appropriate for the discipline.the community as appropriate for the discipline.

http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter2/2-10.cfm

Higher Levels….Higher Levels….

►As professor, can move to higher As professor, can move to higher levels…levels… PresidentPresident

►Provost and VP of Academic AffairsProvost and VP of Academic Affairs Lots of vice-provostsLots of vice-provosts

►Vice PresidentsVice Presidents

DeansDeans►Asst and Assoc DeansAsst and Assoc Deans

Dept ChairsDept Chairs Profs…Profs…

Academic Science – Academic Science – Who is Successful?Who is Successful?

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers…Academic Researchers…

►Success depends on balance of…Success depends on balance of… Personal preparation, characteristics, Personal preparation, characteristics,

focus, effortfocus, effort Assistance and support from othersAssistance and support from others Characteristics of local environmentCharacteristics of local environment

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Academic Researchers –

Personal IPersonal I► Know and enjoy what they are getting into!Know and enjoy what they are getting into!

Socialized to career and activitiesSocialized to career and activities Enjoy academic freedom and researchEnjoy academic freedom and research

►Have a focused area of researchHave a focused area of research Also, know literature of this fieldAlso, know literature of this field

►Work HabitsWork Habits Strive for high productivity in first five yearsStrive for high productivity in first five years

►Papers – at least 2 per yearPapers – at least 2 per year►Grants – At least one Federal or foundation in last two Grants – At least one Federal or foundation in last two

years…years…►Reading – keeping up with the literature!Reading – keeping up with the literature!

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Academic Researchers –

Personal IIPersonal II► Simultaneous projects - Multiple at different Simultaneous projects - Multiple at different

stages!stages! ResearchResearch

►PlanningPlanning►Under review for fundingUnder review for funding►Data collectionData collection►Data analysisData analysis

ManuscriptsManuscripts► In preparationIn preparation►Under reviewUnder review►Awaiting publicationAwaiting publication

► Focuses on internal and external businessFocuses on internal and external business►External- collaborate and conferencesExternal- collaborate and conferences► Internally – govern department or institution/curriculumInternally – govern department or institution/curriculum

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Academic Researchers –

InterpersonalInterpersonal► Good Match with ScientistGood Match with Scientist

Harvard vs UTSA vs St. Mary’sHarvard vs UTSA vs St. Mary’s

► Have mentorsHave mentors CollaborationsCollaborations NetworksNetworks Understanding of academic cultureUnderstanding of academic culture Emotional SupportEmotional Support

► Tend to Communicate with Others and NetworkTend to Communicate with Others and Network Tend to develop collegial NETWORKs!Tend to develop collegial NETWORKs! Involved in and out of universityInvolved in and out of university Go to Conferences and become known!Go to Conferences and become known! Provides access “hot” fields, etcProvides access “hot” fields, etc Provides brain power- Bounce ideas off of othersProvides brain power- Bounce ideas off of others

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Academic Researchers –

Environment IEnvironment I► Good Match with ScientistGood Match with Scientist

Harvard vs UTSA vs St. Mary’sHarvard vs UTSA vs St. Mary’s► Sufficient Work TimeSufficient Work Time

Must limit committees and prep time for teachingMust limit committees and prep time for teaching► Supportive EnvironmentSupportive Environment

Autonomy…Autonomy… Senior Faculty/Dept Chairs who help with…Senior Faculty/Dept Chairs who help with…

► GrantsGrants► PublicationsPublications► Professional ContactsProfessional Contacts► AdviceAdvice► Finding local mentorsFinding local mentors

Peer SupportPeer Support► IndividualIndividual► GroupsGroups

Recognize what the individual researcher needsRecognize what the individual researcher needs Recognizes strengths of individual researcherRecognizes strengths of individual researcher

Getting a Tenure Getting a Tenure Track PositionTrack Position

Where are Positions Where are Positions Advertised?Advertised?

► Individual Web Sites:Individual Web Sites:► Journals: Journals:

Chronicle of Higher EducationChronicle of Higher Education►http://chronicle.com/http://chronicle.com/

Science MagazineScience Magazine►http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/

NatureNature►http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/index.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/naturejobs/index.html

Job TalkJob Talk

► If you look goodIf you look good Search Committee invites you to campusSearch Committee invites you to campus You give a job talkYou give a job talk

►Like seminarLike seminar►Shows breadth and what you will bringShows breadth and what you will bring

Meet with facultyMeet with faculty Meet with AdministratorsMeet with Administrators Meet with HRMeet with HR

Job OfferJob Offer►Offered a positionOffered a position►Negotiate for various PerksNegotiate for various Perks

Startup fundsStartup funds►EquipmentEquipment►TechTech►Research AssistantResearch Assistant

SpaceSpace►What buildingWhat building►How much for laboratoryHow much for laboratory►How much for OfficeHow much for Office

Salary “recovery” how much of your salary MUST Salary “recovery” how much of your salary MUST come from grants? come from grants? ►Course releasesCourse releases►Summer salarySummer salary

► Politely get this in writing.Politely get this in writing. Email, “This is what I understand…”Email, “This is what I understand…”

Moving to Higher Moving to Higher Levels…Levels…

Administrative StructureAdministrative Structure

► University PresidentUniversity President► Executive Officers Executive Officers

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Vice President for Student Affairs Vice President for Student Affairs Vice President for Research Vice President for Research Vice President for University Advancement Vice President for University Advancement Vice President for Extended Services Vice President for Extended Services Vice President for Business Affairs Vice President for Business Affairs

►Deans (Dean, Associate Deans, Assistant Deans (Dean, Associate Deans, Assistant Deans)Deans)

►Department ChairsDepartment Chairs

Online Academic HierarchyOnline Academic Hierarchy

►http://www.mgmt.purdue.edu/faculty/http://www.mgmt.purdue.edu/faculty/rau/funny/hierarchy.html rau/funny/hierarchy.html

Other (Non-tenured) Positions in Other (Non-tenured) Positions in Academia…Academia…

►ResearcherResearcher►Research Assistant ProfessorResearch Assistant Professor►LecturerLecturer►Research Associate ProfessorResearch Associate Professor►Adjunct FacultyAdjunct Faculty►Various positions…Various positions…

Grant fundedGrant funded University supportedUniversity supported