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On being an older researcher
02 November 2009
By George Whale
I first got involved in academic research in my late thirties. I discovered that I enjoyed it and was good at it, so decided to continue. I have had my share of unemployment and frustration, but the fascination of the work itself has largely made up for that.
Now, quite a number of years later, I have come to a dead end. Though I have a PhD, plenty of experience, publications etc., there seems nowhere to go. I have never been much interested in lecturing (anyway, I don't have any talent for it). So I can continue as a junior researcher (forget promotion, it never happens to contract researchers), or I can return to my former career in software development, or I can try to do something else.
Working as a junior researcher becomes increasingly humiliating with each passing year, and software development isn't exactly an older person's field. So I am open to the idea of doing something different, as long as it enables me to use the research skills that took me so many years to acquire (why should I just throw them away?)
Are there any other geriatrics out there in a similar situation? If so, I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
David Proctor02 November 2009 at 02:26 PM
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What are the research skills that you want to continue using? Are they transferable skills, or are you referring to skills that are unique to your research discipline, such as experimental techniques?
George Whale02 November 2009 at 04:21 PM
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Well, general (mainly qualitative) research skills, including research design, data collection (interviewing, observation, etc.), analysis, synthesis and reporting. Also, specific IT-related skills including interaction design, system prototyping and usability research (certain aspects anyway - it's a very big area). I would say that both sets are quite broadly transferable.
David Proctor02 November 2009 at 08:37 PM
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I can best explain myself by example; I hope that's ok. I've spent some time thinking about what interests me... on what sorts of projects I might like to work in the future. Several of my interests outside of research come to mind: human rights, international development, diplomacy, sailplanes. Like you, I'm reluctant to leave research entirely and would prefer to use my training and skills in any future positions. I've looked for areas where my research discipline--broadly science, specifically biophysics--might join with the other interests that I've mentioned. Much to my surprise and pleasure, there are opportunities to blend seemingly disparate topics like science and human rights, for example. Recently I've spent more and more time looking at opportunities that blend my interests, and occasionally requesting informational interviews in order to learn what skills are essential to succeed in those jobs. My hope is that I'll be able to tailor any job applications that I submit by drawing on my research background and skills. Sorry if this is rehashing things that you already know, but it's helpful for me to say it!
Sarah Davies03 November 2009 at 04:23 PM
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My sense is that there are a few permanent research jobs out there, but they are few and far between. Some research departments or institutes have research staff who they move from project to project, and a few lucky people manage to get fellowships of some kind. But non-academic organisations also employ researchers - your skill set sounds ideal for qualitative market research such as that done by TNS-BMRB (you can also get into this gradually by freelancing). Charities and policy institutes also advertise research posts. I'm registered for the British Sociological Asociations's job updates - see http://www.britsoc.co.uk/about/Jobs.htm - which tends to get everything from professorships in Singapore to short research for medical charities posted on it. Btw, what counts as geriatric? Being round students certainly makes me *feel* pretty old...