In academic research, the path seems set. PhD, Postdoc, PI, and eventually, Tenure. It’s what everyone wants - or at least, what everyone thinks they should want.
But how many PIs or Tenure slots are out there compared to the flood of new PhDs each year? The gap is huge. This mismatch fuels anxiety and frustration about the future of research careers.
And what does it really mean to become a PI? And what if you don’t make it? Does that somehow make you less of a researcher?
What if you don’t want to run a team? What if you’re happiest just doing the work, contributing without the headaches of managing money or people? Where are the opportunities for those researchers?
Becoming a PI isn’t for everyone, and it shouldn’t be the only path. Academia needs more diverse career tracks. Want to focus on outreach? Great, there should be space for you. Want to do technical work and skip management? There should be room for that too.
By embracing diverse career paths, academia can also become a healthier, more sustainable place for everyone. When people are free to play to their strengths - whether that's outreach, technical expertise, or interdisciplinary collaboration - research teams become more innovative and adaptable. Plus, this flexibility can help reduce burnout, create more fulfilling career trajectories, and ultimately lead to better science.
Research should be big enough to fit different strengths. It’s that diversity that makes teams stronger. Let’s stop pushing one version of success and open up the field to different talents.
-- João
But how many PIs or Tenure slots are out there compared to the flood of new PhDs each year? The gap is huge. This mismatch fuels anxiety and frustration about the future of research careers.
And what does it really mean to become a PI? And what if you don’t make it? Does that somehow make you less of a researcher?
What if you don’t want to run a team? What if you’re happiest just doing the work, contributing without the headaches of managing money or people? Where are the opportunities for those researchers?
Becoming a PI isn’t for everyone, and it shouldn’t be the only path. Academia needs more diverse career tracks. Want to focus on outreach? Great, there should be space for you. Want to do technical work and skip management? There should be room for that too.
By embracing diverse career paths, academia can also become a healthier, more sustainable place for everyone. When people are free to play to their strengths - whether that's outreach, technical expertise, or interdisciplinary collaboration - research teams become more innovative and adaptable. Plus, this flexibility can help reduce burnout, create more fulfilling career trajectories, and ultimately lead to better science.
Research should be big enough to fit different strengths. It’s that diversity that makes teams stronger. Let’s stop pushing one version of success and open up the field to different talents.
-- João