Publications may help - and as folks like duked mentioned, there are some jobs that are actually "We'd really rather prefer a PhD but we might be able to swing

Publications may help - and as folks like duked mentioned, there are some jobs that are actually "We'd really rather prefer a PhD but we might be able to swing it for the right person". But honestly, if they mean PhD required? Odds are the answer is get a PhD. It's not just that its an exposure to the field thing, though that's part of it. A PhD is equal parts credentializing, expertise building and a cultural thing. It's possible that they need a PhD for things like competing for grants, and even if they don't, it's likely going to be an odd cultural fit.