What a Chemist Should Consider before Accepting an Academic Position
Before you accept, have you thought about…
The potential variation in faculty positions in academia is at least as great as in industry. You may find a position in a large or small institution, in a public or a private institution, or in research or teaching. Your academic training has already prepared you for much of this decision, but there are many important aspects to consider in making the best decision
Compensation
Is My Offer Competitive?
Chemical and Engineering News annually publishes academic salaries for assistant professors and others. The categories include public college or university, private college or university, Ph.D. granting university, and non-Ph.D. granting college and university. The salaries for assistant professors are based on 9 or 10 month contract.
ACS publishes academic salaries each August. For the latest, see the “Salary Survey” article printed in the August issue of Chemical and Engineering News.
Teaching vs. Research
Is This the Right Balance?
Many people are initially attracted to academia by the desire to teach -- either in classes or to individual researchers. Your teaching assignments could vary enormously depending on your choice of school. Find the right mix for you. An inordinately heavy teaching load in your first several years could interfere with starting a research program. Good descriptions of various institutions and teaching as a profession can be found in the ACS publication by A. Truman Schwartz et al.
Career Growth
How Can I Progress?
Is the position tenure track? If not, what are the chances for renewal? A non-tenure track position is less stressful in the short term, but the ultimate payoff will be less. According to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) guidelines, a non-tenure track position is a temporary position
Do you know the requirements and procedures for obtaining tenure? All schools have written policies. Make sure you understand them. Ask about recent tenure decision cases.
Is there start-up money? It may take some time to obtain grants for your research. A generous start-up budget can let your research “hit the ground running.” Start-up funds can range from $5,000 to $500,000, depending on the school.
What is the research infrastructure? You will need departmental and institutional resources to support your work (e.g., research library, computer systems, instrumentation). Make sure that these will be sufficient.
Can I consult? Many academics act as consultants to industry. This is a useful method of gaining contacts and extra money. Investigate the university’s policy on outside jobs.
Can I travel? There may be a departmental travel budget to go to conferences, or you may need to raise this money yourself. Be aware that conferences are becoming more global in attendance and location. Are there professional development opportunities available to you, including sabbaticals, both national and international?
Is there an opportunity for summer salary?
What additional expenses will my grants need to cover at this institution, such as tuition, stipends for graduate students, partial faculty salaries, etc.?
How are graduate students assigned to research directors?
Benefits
Benefits are similar to those offered in industry with some deletions (e.g., stock options and bonuses) and perhaps some additions (e.g. subsidized housing, university memberships). As in industry, benefits packages will differ from school to school. The university’s personnel department should be able to help with these options.
The Location
Will I Like Where I Live?
Relocation is probably even more common in taking an academic post than taking an industrial post. Happily, there are schools in every type of geographic location. You can choose college towns, rural locations, suburbs, even downtown in major cities. Each school places different emphasis between teaching and research. If you are looking for a particular type of school, your choice of location may be more limited. Faculty often move. Beginning a new academic career is stressful; do not underestimate the contribution your environment will make to your quality of life.
Teaching positions also exist outside the U. S. in foreign universities. Many of the rules are different than the U. S., so the earlier questions should be asked against this new standard. Language proficiency and visa status become quite important issues to consider.
References
- ACS Careers has information on resume writing, interviewing, job searching, etc.
- Directory of Graduate Research
- ACS Insurance
Other Resources
- Academic Salaries (AAUP)
- Company’s quarterly or annual report in Wall Street Journal
- Company’s financial situation in Dun and Bradstreet
- Cost of Living Index
See your local library or bookstore for some excellent books on establishing a consultancy
ACS Salary Comparator
Using results from ACS employment surveys, the Salary Comparator helps members find answers to salary-related questions by providing current information applicable to specific employment situations:
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