2. What is the General Career Timeframe for Becoming a Member of the Academic Faculty?
While every institution varies in specifics, a general overview is as follows:
Extended Fellowship/Clinical Instructor/Junior Faculty (1-3 years):
At the end of clinical fellowship, fellows face the choice of jumping into a research track, typically spending 1-2 years as a clinical instructor/junior faculty and/or an extended research-training program that might include selected coursework, formal Master’s degree (1-2 years), or PhD (4 – 7 years). While not considered requirements, most grant evaluators favor those with further, relevant training.
During this stage, selection of a mentor/mentor committee and planning career development steps are critical. While internet searches will offer a variety of sites for information about choosing and working with a mentor, one suggested reading may include “Academic mentoring--how to give it and how to get it”, published in JAMA, May 2007. Fellows will usually work with their mentor in their labs/projects, generating their OWN research data that will be used to develop early funding opportunities. Funding opportunities at this early stage are often ACR-REF, Arthritis Foundation or other related foundation or intramural awards. Availability of local funding from their mentor’s lab, division or department is often critical to protect time and allow development of research skills and projects.
Assistant Professor (7 years):
Once this background training has begun and preliminary data or 1 or 2 publications have been completed, junior faculty often turn to the NIH for K08/K23 mentored scientist career development awards. Success rates of these awards have been typically for favorable for promising candidates in good environments. Developing a clear career development pathway is critical for the success of these grants and cannot be underestimated. At this stage, it is important to have protected time for your research, thus limiting your clinical/teaching/administrative duties to advance in your research career. Know your limits and learn to tactfully and gracefully say “no” to requests that may overextend your limits.
Preparation for promotion to Associate Professor begins early in the Assistant Professor phase. In many institutions require an RO-1 or equivalent for promotion to Associate Professor with tenure. See below.
Associate Professor (7 years):
It is important to meet with mentors and division chairs to make certain the junior faculty is aware of local expectations regarding teaching, publications, grant support and mentoring. Generally there is an important 4-year review that lets junior faculty know if they are trajectory for Associate Professor promotion or if there are areas of concern. The final application is prepared during the 6th year for review and consideration for promotion. During these years, research productivity, growth of the lab and mentees are an important part of the faculty’s developmental milestones.
Professor:
Congratulations!
