Research Career Development Academic Science Gail P. Taylor Fall /19/2010

References ► Academic Scientists at Work: Giving It 110%, JEREMY M. BOSS, SUSAN H. ECKERT 13 FEBRUARY cles/2870/academic_scientists_at_work_giving_it_110 cles/2870/academic_scientists_at_work_giving_it_110 cles/2870/academic_scientists_at_work_giving_it_110 ► David A. Katerndahl, M.D.; Developing your Scholarship p.htm p.htm p.htm ► Bland CJ, Schmitz CC. Characteristics of the successful researcher and implications for faculty development. J Med Educ 1986; 61:22-31.

So….. You’ve gotten your Ph.D. Now What?

Standard Ph.D. Professional Path UG – Biological Chemistry M.S. Degree Post Bacc Research Doctoral Studies Academic Postdoc Industry Postdoc Government Postdoc Continue Education Other Career Academics Government Industry Other 1-2 Yrs UG – Engineering Work Yrs Yrs

And... You’ve Finished up a Postdoc or two… Now What Happens?

What Happens after Your Postdoc? ► Get a job…  Academia ► Tenure Track ► Non-tenure Track  Government  Industry  Other… ► Have prearranged to take some of your research projects with you, if academic…

Academia

What is Academia? ► Academia –  Collective term  Scientific and cultural community  Usually Universities and Medical Centers/Schools  Engaged in “Scholarly” activities ► Higher education ► Peer-reviewed research

The Academic Life – Faculty/Tenure Track Positions

Professors: ► In the US…  Qualified individuals who do the following: ► Tenure track ► “Profess” lectures and seminars in their field of study ► Perform advanced research ► Provide service, in their community or with their organization ► Train students  Grad and UG  Med/Nursing/Professional ► Other training – Postdoc, New Faculty, etc

What does Tenure Track Mean? ► Tenure  A status of continuing appointment as a faculty member  Will not be fired, unless there is “due cause” ► Normally, illegal activity  Allows academic “freedom” ► Lack of retaliation for ideas, etc.  Must be Associate or Full Professor to have tenure  Must be Associate or Full Professor to have tenure  Associate or Full Prof do not guarantee continued job…

Professors in U.S. have Rank ► Assistant Professor  Entry level probationary appointment  Usually after a postdoc or two  Is “tenure track” (promotion in 3 – 7 years)  After 7 years, must leave ► Associate Professor  Mid level position  Obtained tenure (usually) ► (Full) Professor  Senior position

Activities Academic Scientist ► Further Institutions mission of  Scholarship/Instruction  Research  Service ► Relative importance of Research, Teaching, Services varies with location  St. Marys/Incarnate Word- Teaching, Service, Research  UTSA- Research/Teaching, Service  UTHSCSA/Harvard – Research, Teaching, Service

“Research” Activities ► Research ► Writing grants ► Coordinate all projects in laboratory ► Mentor graduate students/postdocs ► Laboratory Meetings ► Prepare for and teach an advanced course related to your research field ► Review manuscripts or grants ► Discuss science with a seminar speaker ► Design of a new core facility that you will use for your research program

Teaching… ► Undergraduate Institution  Requirements vary… ► Depends on Institution  Harvard (little student contact, if desired) ► May be released from all courses  UTSA (more hands on) ► Up to three courses  Medical Schools – Much less teaching ► Depends on Level  Professors may have all “seminars” ► Medical/Graduate School  Teach parts of individual classes…

Service Activities ► Admissions Committees ► “Search” Committees ► Curriculum Committees ► Budget Committees ► Student Recruitment

Perks of Academic Life ► Run your own small business ► Manage your own time (very flexible) ► Research in desired direction  Can explore questions all of your life!!! ► Work in vibrant, living, stimulating community ► Travel all over the world to conferences ► Talk to the smartest people in the world! ► Research is not routine  New techniques  New discoveries ► Collaborate all over the world ► Have prestige and impact  Influence in community  Influence on world  Have a voice…

Problems with Academic Life ► Can be time-intensive ► Many things to balance at once ► Can have funding problems  Impact depends on location ► Increased administrative responsibilities  Decreased research time

Obtaining Tenure

Getting Tenure ► Work ~5 years (“Probationary” period) ► Build up your CV ► Establish Relationships  Letters needed from Colleagues on campus  Letters needed from Scientists off-campus ► Establish teaching ► Establish research and reputation  Grants  Publications  Invited lectures  Training record ► Establish service  Committee  Community ► Put together a box with materials

The Tenure Decision ► Made by Tenure Committee…  Research ► Grants  Income to Institution  Very important – RO1 is almost guarantee… ► Creative Products  Publications (vary in importance)  Inventions/Patents ► National Reputation  Invited lectures  Teaching ► Decent rating, but generally least important  Service ► Committees ► Become Associate Professor  Increase in Salary  Yay! Tenure!

UTSA Tenure at Assoc. Level ► Effective teaching accompanied by program support such as curriculum development or thesis/dissertation supervision as appropriate for the discipline. ► A focused program of research, creative activities, and/or scholarly work that contributes to his or her field as judged by peer review. ► Service demonstrating peer-recognized contributions to the university, profession, and community as appropriate for the discipline.

UTSA Tenure at Full Professor ► Teaching and program support that are effective. ► A nationally-recognized body of quality research, creative activities and/or scholarly work, as defined above, that contributes significantly to the field and represents continuing accomplishment as judged by peer review. ► Service demonstrating peer-recognized leadership to the university, the profession, and the community as appropriate for the discipline.

Higher Levels…. ► As professor, can move to higher levels…  President ► Provost and VP of Academic Affairs  Lots of vice-provosts ► Vice Presidents  Deans ► Asst and Assoc Deans  Dept Chairs  Profs…

Academic Science – Who is Successful?

Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers… ► Success depends on balance of…  Personal preparation, characteristics, focus, effort  Assistance and support from others  Characteristics of local environment

Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Personal I ► Know and enjoy what they are getting into!  Socialized to career and activities  Enjoy academic freedom and research ► Have a focused area of research  Also, know literature of this field ► Work Habits  Strive for high productivity in first five years ► Papers – at least 2 per year ► Grants – At least one Federal or foundation in last two years… ► Reading – keeping up with the literature!

Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Personal II ► Simultaneous projects - Multiple at different stages!  Research ► Planning ► Under review for funding ► Data collection ► Data analysis  Manuscripts ► In preparation ► Under review ► Awaiting publication ► Focuses on internal and external business ► External- collaborate and conferences ► Internally – govern department or institution/curriculum

Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Interpersonal ► Good Match with Scientist  Harvard vs UTSA vs St. Mary’s ► Have mentors  Collaborations  Networks  Understanding of academic culture  Emotional Support ► Tend to Communicate with Others and Network  Tend to develop collegial NETWORKs!  Involved in and out of university  Go to Conferences and become known!  Provides access “hot” fields, etc  Provides brain power- Bounce ideas off of others

Characteristics of Successful Academic Researchers – Environment I ► Good Match with Scientist  Harvard vs UTSA vs St. Mary’s ► Sufficient Work Time  Must limit committees and prep time for teaching ► Supportive Environment  Autonomy…  Senior Faculty/Dept Chairs who help with… ► Grants ► Publications ► Professional Contacts ► Advice ► Finding local mentors  Peer Support ► Individual ► Groups  Recognize what the individual researcher needs  Recognizes strengths of individual researcher

Getting a Tenure Track Position

Where are Positions Advertised? ► Individual Web Sites: ► Journals:  Chronicle of Higher Education ►  Science Magazine ►  Nature ►

Job Talk ► If you look good  Search Committee invites you to campus  You give a job talk ► Like seminar ► Shows breadth and what you will bring  Meet with faculty  Meet with Administrators  Meet with HR

Job Offer ► Offered a position ► Negotiate for various Perks  Startup funds ► Equipment ► Tech ► Research Assistant  Space ► What building ► How much for laboratory ► How much for Office  Salary “recovery” how much of your salary MUST come from grants? ► Course releases ► Summer salary ► Politely get this in writing.  , “This is what I understand…”

Moving to Higher Levels…

Administrative Structure ► University President ► Executive Officers  Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs  Vice President for Student Affairs  Vice President for Research  Vice President for University Advancement  Vice President for Extended Services  Vice President for Business Affairs ► Deans (Dean, Associate Deans, Assistant Deans) ► Department Chairs

Online Academic Hierarchy ► unny/hierarchy.html unny/hierarchy.html unny/hierarchy.html

Other (Non-tenured) Positions in Academia… ► Researcher ► Research Assistant Professor ► Lecturer ► Research Associate Professor ► Adjunct Faculty ► Various positions…  Grant funded  University supported