Baptiste Coulmont. Royal Society's Knowledge, Networks and Nations report: would Einstein get funded today? Moving Up The Academic Ladder. Academic research careers consist of a succession of ranks within a fairly predictable time frame. There are some steps researchers can take to make sure that this progression goes as planned. By Laura Bonetta Most individuals who obtain Ph.D.s in the life sciences have set their sights on an academic research career. As this year's Science Careers postdoc survey indicated, 61 percent of former postdocs polled and 57 percent of current postdocs hoped to get tenure-track academic positions after completing their postdoctoral studies, and an additional 15 percent of former and 16 percent of current postdocs planned on seeking non-tenure-track research scientist positions.
In reality, only a minority of Ph.D.s actually end up in academic research careers. For those who do, getting that first faculty position is only the first rung up the ladder. In The Driver's Seat Credit: Wesleyan University Manju Hingorani That sense of responsibility took Katerina Venderova by surprise. Giacomo Cavilli. Science-map.jpg (2000×1230)