Making the transition from Industry to Academia

Q. I’ve been working in industry for 15 years and now I’d like to transition into academia. I don’t have many publications, but I’ve stayed on top of the technical research in my company. It would be a career setback if I came in at the assistant professor level because I’ve had so much experience in my field. What do I do? Will I be expected to publish in academia?

A. You will certainly be expected to publish in academia. It’s a core activity. You will also be expected to get grants to support your research for the publications. Your industrial experience, even without publications is very valuable. Your experience will help you publish and get grants; your experience will also help you get a position. You can apply for an assistant professor position and ask for early consideration for promotion and tenure. Without publication experience, there are very few universities that would hire someone into a tenured position. But, what you should do is apply, take an assistant professorship if that’s the only option, and flourish because of your skills and experience.

Prof. Gordon A. Thomas is Professor of Physics at New Jersey Institute of Technology. He began his career in at Bell Labs where he worked on optical communications and helped develop the purest optical fiber. He holds 16 patents, has published over 150 research articles, and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

How do I switch from physics to patent law?

by Mark Sincell

The short answer is that this may be the easiest career transition available IF (and this can be a big if) you really like to write about technical subjects. Practicing patent law requires spending many hours a day drafting letters, patent applications, and similar materials. Patent lawyers do virtually no “technical” work, like programming, calculating, setting up experiments and the other familiar tasks of the practicing physicist. If that sounds good to you, then start calling patent law firms and tell them you want to talk to them about working in patent law. Most large firms and many smaller firms are constantly on the look-out for new talent.

Physicists can be very valuable to patent law firms because their expertise can be applied to many different fields and they can work in several different capacities for a law firm. Without any additional credentials, physicists can be hired as technical advisors who assist attorneys in preparing patent applications. Spending a few months studying for (and passing) the patent bar exam administered by the USPTO qualifies you to practice as a patent agent. Agents can prepare and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO, but can’t litigate or become a partner in a law firm. For that, you need a law degree, which takes three years of full-time study in law school or 4-5 years of night school. Even if your long-term goal is to be a lawyer, starting as a technical advisor has many advantages. You will gain valuable experience and in some cases law firms will foot the bill for law school. At the very least, they will be very understanding about the burdens placed on part-time law students and they will likely hire you as an attorney when you are done.

Learning to write proposals.

I noticed that my advisor is always applying for some grant, but I don’t know the first thing about writing proposals and my advisor is too busy to help me. How can I learn this skill?

by Dr. Benjamin Brown

It goes without saying that securing research funding through federal grants is essential to maintaining a thriving research program. The good news is that succeeding with grant proposals is a skill that can be learned. The bad news is that few senior researchers take the time to expose junior researchers – even those about to make the leap to “PI-hood” – to the proposal-writing process. While many scientists recoil from the notion of “marketing” themselves or their work (“my work speaks for itself”) learning how to sell yourself and your research is obviously critical to success at many stages of your scientific career (e.g., landing your first permanent job, succeeding at your tenure review).

No matter how busy your advisor is you can ask him or her for a copy of the funding announcement and the submitted proposal. You can even ask for earlier drafts to see how your advisor and his/her collaborators honed the proposal. Be clear that your intent is to learn about both the drafting of the proposal and the process involved, and don’t be afraid to be persistent. After you’ve studied the documents even a couple of focused questions at the right time could pry useful insight from your advisor.

If your advisor is truly too busy or unwilling to help, there are other avenues. If your group has a postdoc who worked on a proposal, he or she might be willing to share the documents with you. Another approach is to ask present or former colleagues just ahead of you in the “career queue” about their first experiences with grant writing.

About to graduate?

2. I am finishing my Ph.D. When should I begin the process of looking for a job?

by Prof. Michael Johnson

At least 12 months before you expect to graduate. At that time you should begin to view your search as your most important job – more important than completing yet another paper or running yet another experiment. It may seem paradoxical, but it can be harder to find a job with a Ph.D. than without. The reason is simple: these are not routine hires. Nearly all Physics Ph.D.’s find fascinating jobs – but each is an individual fit to an individual person. There are many job postings for electricians but few for Physics Ph.D.’s. You have to do your homework to find that wonderful job, but if you do then you will.

Your two big tasks are, first, deciding what type of job really appeals to you; and, second, identifying, researching, and applying for jobs. These are logically separate issues but in practice they
are intertwined. As you research possible jobs, or interview, you are likely to learn more about your own likes and dislikes. Do you want a postdoctoral position? Half or more of Physics Ph.D.’s go this route. Your advisor may be able to help you identify possibilities. People you have met at conferences, or who have cited your work (or vice versa) are also good possibilities. There is no magic technique for other positions. Approach your job search like a research project in a field that you are just getting into. Dig into the literature (of how to search for jobs), hunt for opportunities, forge connections, and apply. Like any research project your results are more likely to be positive if you put in the necessary work – and avoid presuppositions.

Please do not assume that the academic path is superior. So the academic life suited your advisor. So what? Those of us running graduate programs have discovered that many students feel almost apologetic if they choose another route. We would like to offer what we have told many other finishing students: only you can decide what is best for you.

It is normal to be anxious while searching for jobs. But don’t feel compelled to accept your first offer. It is important to like the job you take. While a Ph.D. does not make your job search easier, it does
make it much more likely that you will be able to find something you love.