Academia and higher education

Working in the university sector offers a wide variety of professional roles from academic research to HR.

Academia itself can be a stimulating career option, offering the potential for significant autonomy and flexibility in your working life. It is a challenging route that demands drive and commitment to your area of research and to producing the publications, grant applications and projects expected by university departments. Competition for roles after the doctorate means that you can expect several years of insecurity while trying to find a permanent position.

It is near essential to have a DPhil/PhD in order to gain a permanent academic position in the UK and many other countries. Following a DPhil/PhD, next steps include a postdoctoral research position or a fixed-term teaching contract; in some subjects it may be possible to move directly into a junior lectureship. Independent fellowships offer a grant to develop your own research, so attract many applicants. Postdocs and fellowships can last from six months to several years.

Early career academics often take on a variety of roles as stepping stones to a permanent position, or towards a ‘portfolio career’ in which academic work is one of several strands such as consultancy, editorial or advisory work. Permanent lectureship positions combine research and teaching with administration duties, such as organising seminar series and sitting on committees. There are very few teaching-only or research-only permanent academic roles.

Academic support roles in universities typically offer a stimulating range of activities, teamwork, creativity as well as opportunities to develop policy and interact with academics engaged in cutting-edge research. They can also offer more stability.

Career paths vary depending on discipline, type of institution, and region. Aspiring academics will find more opportunities if they are flexible about location and willing to consider working abroad. The HE sector is expanding, for instance, in South America, Asia and the Middle East.

Working at the interface of research, teaching and action is very exciting. Persistence, courage and being strategic are all key to making academia work for you. “ Getting in and entry points

For undergraduates/masters’ students: Depending on your subject, a masters’ may be necessary to undertake a DPhil/PhD. Most application deadlines for postgraduate study and funding in the UK are between December and February in the academic year prior to starting. We advise allowing plenty of time beforehand to talk to your tutors, the Careers Service, and research institutions to consider whether and where to continue your studies.

For DPhil/PhD students: Networking throughout your DPhil/PhD will mean you hear of posts through contacts, and will know people to advise you on applications. Postdoc positions are advertised all year round, but fellowship deadlines can be up to one year before they start. Junior research fellowships – offered at Oxford, Cambridge and a few other UK institutions – are highly competitive, vary in salary, and are advertised from September onwards. Most are advertised between February and April. Lectureships are advertised yearround for the UK, and from September to December for North America.

Extra-curricular ideas

•Before doing a DPhil/PhD, try to gain experience by supporting research in some way. Ask tutors/ academics in your field how you might assist, or get tutoring or teaching experience with any age group. • During a DPhil/PhD, get university teaching experience or get involved in The Brilliant Club – giving tutorials to outstanding school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. • Start building a network around your area of interest.

Join societies related to your subject, and attend talks at the Careers Service on developing a professional network within academia, and using LinkedIn and other relevant social media. • Search the professional, managerial and support roles advertised on www.jobs.ac.uk for inspiration about other roles in universities. Despite there being only a few graduate schemes, most professional-support functions are filled by university graduates. • Get your work out there; submit articles for publication and get involved with outreach in your subject in different public spaces. • Speak at conferences, or organise one yourself. • Apply for internships with non-UK universities and/or industry to gain international and practical experience, e.g., those offered by the Careers Service.

More information

www.careers.ox.ac.uk/academia www.careers.ox.ac.uk/researchers