Dear boffins,
I have an opportunity to move from a research post outside of academia (third sector organisation with uni honorary status) to a 3 yr funded senior research fellow post in my local decent uni.
Advantages of current post is that I collaborate with many university academics and am involved in lots of interesting projects as a co-investigator / collaborator, but have no chance of ever being a PI or progressing my own ideas as a project lead. I can co-supervise postgrad students, but not be the lead supervisor. This is a permanent post. I am good at what I do but have been in this role since I returned to work after maternity leave 6 years ago and there is no chance of progression.
I now can have a chance to make a case for my post to be moved to a uni (my organisation would fund this). But probably only for 3 yrs. Great advantage is that I could apply for funding as PI, potentially lead projects and give myself a shot at developing my own ideas and establishing a team.. But I know that funding is really hard to come by and the field is very competitive.
My question is whether it is possible to maintain a decent work life balance while at the same time do good work and progress in academia?! I have 2 small children - 1 preschool, 1 early primary - so work a 4 day/wk, never work weekends, though increasingly work some evenings. I'm wondering if I move to the uni post what the pressure will be like? And I also wonder how many hours a week is considered normal.
Any feedback on how much time you feel you need to put in each week to do well, progress and be a successful boffin would be helpful so I can plan what I will do next with realistic expectations in mind.
Thank you in advance.
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How many hrs a wk to be a successful boffin?!
22 replies
CelticTigress1 · 07/12/2017 22:54
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