[davidenarb]

Hi all,

After completing a PhD in chemistry, Can I join a research group and continuing publishing all the rest of my life without being a lecturer? is that actually a job? 

please take the question seriously

[rwiew]

You can join a research institute where you may not be required to lecture, yes.

[Corribus]

In a government lab.

[davidenarb]

Can I do that in a university?

[Dan]

I my experience it's rare in the UK for University labs to hire postdocs for more than 5 years (contracts are usually 1-3 years). Long standing senior postdocs do exist of course, but you need a PI who wants you to stay with them long term and you should bear in mind that you'd be reliant on a string of back to back successful grant applications to keep extending your contract. Mobility as a postdoc within academia becomes more difficult as you get older as well - what do you do when your boss retires? I think it's a risky move, you might strangle your own career development.

If you don't want to be a lecturer, it's probably not a good idea to try to stay in academia for life.

[davidenarb]

I my experience it's rare in the UK for University labs to hire postdocs for more than 5 years (contracts are usually 1-3 years). Long standing senior postdocs do exist of course, but you need a PI who wants you to stay with them long term and you should bear in mind that you'd be reliant on a string of back to back successful grant applications to keep extending your contract. Mobility as a postdoc within academia becomes more difficult as you get older as well - what do you do when your boss retires? I think it's a risky move, you might strangle your own career development.

If you don't want to be a lecturer, it's probably not a good idea to try to stay in academia for life.

Thank you Dan!

I am especially curious to know your opinion, now, about that:

I am newly graduated student in Business, and I need to decide between two paths.
The first path: I have always dreamed to be a chemist; however, for personal and financial issues, I couldn't make it. Now, I am able to do so. (I was always attracted by academic careers in chemistry), so if I'll choose this path, I plan to continue until PhD (around 8 years in total)

The second path: I also love languages; therefore, I am intested in translation studies.
The only desadvantage regarding the first path is of course time investment and effort. I don't why I feel like it is undoable!
The second path is not my dream, but it's a plan B, so I am trying to be as open-minded as possible.

Thanks for your help