Anatomy of an Academic Career

1. Anatomy of an Academic Career NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) Program Cellular and Molecular Imaging for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Christine Schmidt Department of Biomedical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin January 10, 2005 Teaching Service Research Adapted from Carol Cable, The Chronicle of Higher Education

2. Careers with a PhD Academic Institution (discussed here) Industry Start-up, small, large Patent Agent Law firm, university… National Government and Labs NIH, NIST, Sandia… Local/State Government Others (public policy…)

3. Why Academics??

4. Basic Anatomy of an Academic Career Undergraduate Graduate student Postdoc Non-academic job Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Emeritus Professor Administration Department Chair Associate Dean Dean Director of Research Unit Vice President for Research Graduate Studies Chief Financial Officer Student Affairs Community Relations Employee Services Information Technology Legal Affairs Public Affairs Resource Development Senior Vice President Executive V.P. & Provost President (Tenure) (usually optional)

5. Types of Academic Careers Doctoral/Research University Tenure-track Professor Research Professor (often non-tenure track) Teaching Professor (often non-tenure track) Note: “Research I” often refers to top-ranked, research-intensive universities with substantial federal funds. Master’s/Baccalaureate Colleges & Universities Tenure-track and non-tenure positions Teaching and possibly some UG/MS research *Good teaching is not as transferable as well-respected research. If you start your career in an institution that values teaching more than research, it will be difficult to a get a job at a different kind of university later.

6. Expectations Vary Between & Within Institutions Doctoral/Research University: Master’s/B.S. University: Assistant Professor: Associate Professor: Full Professor: Teaching Service Research Adapted from Carol Cable, The Chronicle of Higher Education

7. Research Obtain funding! Organize, supervise and/or conduct experiments Publish and present results (conferences, seminars) Teaching Organized courses Seminar courses Mentor graduate students and postdocs Serve on other student thesis committees Service Committee work (Dept., College, Univ.) Administration Professional service (organizations and conferences, manuscript reviews, grant reviews…) Student mentoring/letters of recommendation/etc. Public outreach What We Really Do

8. Opportunity to explore new area of research - diverge from thesis advisor’s research Work with a leader in field with excellent reputation Dedicated time for research - minimal other expectations Apply for or plan for permanent position - start to develop strategy for your own research group - order equipment for lab (if position secured already) - recruit students (if position secured already) Funded through research grants, fellowships The Value of the Postdoc

9. The job search and interviewing process are discussed in detail later in the week. But, some key points are…. -- does the program attract good students? -- is the environment supportive of young faculty? -- look at award & tenure records for new faculty -- are new faculty overloaded with service? -- is the research infrastructure for your work sufficient? -- do the goals of the program match yours? -- is the environment friendly and comfortable to you? -- institutes & depts. will have distinct personalities & customs Finding Your Ideal Faculty Position

10. Tenure (at UT) Tenure is a status of continuing appointment as a member of the faculty. Until tenure, most faculty are on a one-year renewable contract, and can be terminated at any time. Tenure requires a record of excellence in research, teaching, and service. The University uses records of accomplishment, as well as internal and external evaluation. Usually given after six years as Assistant Professor; maximum of 7 years allowed as untenured. May be awarded early under exceptional circumstances. After tenure, termination requires just cause. Tenured faculty at UT are reviewed every 5 years for their records of research, teaching, and service. www.utexas.edu/admin/evpp/faculty/tenure/TTmemo.html www.utexas.edu/admin/evpp/faculty/tenure/TTguidelines.html

11. Caution: Know Your Institutes Expectations! Don’t let your expected goals: Turn into: Learn to say no to time sinks & too much service (seek advice from colleagues) Negotiate for some early teaching release Take advantage of your University’s resources (teaching & grant workshops) Teaching Service Research Adapted from Carol Cable, The Chronicle of Higher Education

12. Teaching: You Cannot Please All!

13. Tenure and Demands of Service…

14. Increasing Expectations of Service Administration Committees: Department, graduate program, college, and university committees Professional society offices and committees Manuscript review, editorships of journals Grant reviews Funding agency panel service National and state government committees Public lectures and other outreach activities (science fairs, visiting schools, etc.) Symposium/meeting organization But, Post-Tenure…

15. Make sure you love what you do! Write at every opportunity Work on a grant with your advisor and follow the process Publish, Publish, Publish! (your research record is key!) Find a role model (or two) Often your advisor, but not necessarily Observe, be critical; adopt what is good; ignore the bad Take a variety of courses in different areas (IGERT!) Learn to work with others collaboratively (IGERT!) Get teaching experience Learn to manage others (supervise UGs) Keep the big picture in mind Some Advice for the Academic Path