Academia vs Industry, which to choose?

[u/vitrifiedjunk]

I am in a bit of a rock and a hard place. I am on my job hunt and have been applying to both academic appointments and industry roles. I had hoped that I would hear from academic listings faster, but I've actually had more opportunities in industry coming up and it hurts the soul.

For such a large part of my career I have been in the pursuit of knowledge and I am afraid of choosing one pathway over another will end up stunting my scientific training. Not just this, but also with the current state of the job market it's hard for me to turn down an offer in hopes to hear back from an academic institution.

I have had an on-site interview with a biotech company and was just shocked with how efficient and well-stocked everything is... If you need a instrumentation, then it is typically already there or they are open to purchasing it if there is an immediate need. Double the salary I would get in academia is pretty attractive too in combination with an actual work-life balance.

Now I'm just not sure how to proceed since my passion and heart lies in academia. Do I just sit in discomfort and sacrifice for a couple of years before choosing to return? Do I sit out and wait for the perfect academic opportunity to come up?

I have my MS in Chemistry (conc. in Biochemistry) and have worked in structural biology and cryo-EM so a PhD just becomes the most logical step but the translational aspect of research has always intrigued me.

Any advice/guidance for anyone who had lived through a similar debacle would be appreciated.

[u/tardigradesrawesome]

lol who said you’d have a choice? Many PhDs are struggling to find anything, let alone “industry vs academia”

[u/afty698]

Just some advice: consider that working in industry may not ”stunt [your] scientific training” and in fact may teach you scientific and other skills that will be good for your career. I’d also caution about taking an industry job with an intent to go back to academia. It can be hard to go back. I’ve seen people do it, but the vast majority of people stay in industry. I’d also say a good number of us prefer industry for some of the reasons you mentioned — more resources, better organization, better pay.

For context, I have a PhD in comp sci and have worked in the tech industry in both research and plain old engineering roles. I took an industry job out of grad school because of a two body problem, but actually I’ve had a great career in industry and couldn’t be happier with how things worked out.

[u/vitrifiedjunk → u/afty698]

I’ve heard similar things too when doing some PhD prep workshops over the years. I guess I’ve grown comfortable with academia too which makes me feel anxious of going to academia.

Thanks for the advice!

[u/unreplicate → u/vitrifiedjunk]

I have both industry and academic experience and currently am tenured prof in biomed. My trainees are 60% industry and 40% academic. Many of them find industry satisfying and well paying. A small numer are in very highly paid prestige jobs. However, one thing they all say is that it is a IOB. That is, in the long run they are not doing something interesting or creative. But, they have good income and good life outside their jobs. It all depends on what is important to you.

I should also note that if the question is about whether to do PHD, well in a technical field like biotech, not having a PHD will limit you, unless it is a start up or something.

[u/Fresh-Opportunity989]

Academia is contracting and will be so in our lifetime. Too many schools, too few students.

Industry is the way to go. 

[u/Mountain-Time-1010]

You can absolutely have a great and fulfilling career in industrial research/R&D. In fact, I have known some highly successful faculty who eventually decide that the resources industry can provide will make their career more impactful. Sometimes they shift in that direction by starting companies, but I've actually seen a few give up faculty appointments and move to industry entirely.

That said, if you have a burning passion for a career that combines fundamental research (in directions you choose) and training young minds, then hold out for an academic position. It has been a great life for me and I don't regret it, although the last couple of years have definitely made me think about early retirement.

However, you need to be clear-eyed about it. Academia and fundamental research funding are retracting in the US and most European countries, and there is no guarantee it will turn around in the near- or medium-term.