4 ms·

Faculty hiring is outdated in a lot of ways - it takes a really long time, there is a very high burden on the candidate, in terms of preparing teaching and rese

Faculty hiring is outdated in a lot of ways - it takes a really long time, there is a very high burden on the candidate, in terms of preparing teaching and research statements, and often arranging for reference letters to be sent directly, and no real reciprocity from the university (I mean they can ask for a lot and give nothing in return). Also, faculty positions (at least STEM disciplines) don't pay well compared to many jobs. I was wondering if we'd start to see changes in the process, as universities must be losing the best candidates to industry jobs. Apparently they've gone a different direction. This implies there must be a glut of PHDs willing to work for free to get the experience. But I'd expect this would no be attracting top graduates, it looks more like a remedial way for people with money to get experience.

zwaps 5y ago
There are plenty of people who are willing to forgo a lot to be able to do research. It is hard to overstate the difference in mentality. Few who are primed in academia would even think about salary as a main argument. Sadly, the trajectory runs in the other direction. There’s a glut of good and internationally mobile candidates who will literally work for free around the clock for a chance. They are, of course, mercilessly exploited.
- linspace 5y ago
  Exploitation by a system based on education, by highly educated people, for the advancement of society. This is what you get when you are powerless and dependent on good faith even in the best environment.
KatePhD 5y ago
Compared to Humanities, STEM faculty are the highest paid in academia. There is no "glut' of chemistry and biochemistry PhDs. There is high demand for biochemists with an expected 5% increase in positions in the next decade.