Advice needed - How to move on

[MoOp125]

I feel very lost. I have been working in academia for a long time, although my career has not really advanced for number of reasons and don’t have a permanent role. I have worked very hard to get one, but it’s basically not happening and need to move on. However I don’t know what to do. The options available are not bad, but it’s not research (that I love), and the private sector is not interested in someone like me, after so many years in academia.

How I can move on? I feel really trapped. Thank you.

That sounds tough, I do feel for you. Maybe read the 'redundancies at your university' thread and congratulate yourself for being ahead of the curve? More seriously, well done on not falling for the sunk cost fallacy, and remember academia is basically a giant cult - you'll probably have internalised the 'I am a failure if I leave academia' message but don't fall for it! If you can afford it, take a bit of time to catch your breath and regroup. There are quite a lot of threads on here from people moving out of different disciplinary areas, maybe check those out for ideas? Can you still access any careers advice from old institutions? (Mine offers free careers advice for life!). Sorry if this sounds corny but it's not the end, it's a new beginning (and you may be well out of academia the way things are shaping up now) - good luck!

How long have you been in academia? I love research too but it seems research roles are only ever fixed-term contracts. A permanent role would be through a lectureship which has lots of teaching, admin and very little research. I think there are some good opportunities in the private sector and perhaps one way forward might be just to apply for something and see what happens.

Fixed term contracts are the norm for posts with research - they're funding-lead. If you otherwise love your job, do you need to hunt a unicorn? Whilst it may feel a little unstable, in reality if you are pulling your weight elsewhere in the department, and bringing in the high quality research and funding, you are likely to have good options at the end of each fixed term, either where you currently are or somewhere nearby.