The distinction is definitely there, in their voices. Both have hesitancy to them, probably because the “job” is new and the research was always unknown. Each can be dismissed with the casual ‘just fine, thank you”. But in the end there are differences.
When I was in academia doing research (for which I was paid and received benefits) there was the underlying assumption that this was not a job, just another stop on the way to something else (which it was, but…) and with my current position (which involves me doing research for which I am paid and receive benefits) there is this greater stature placed on it because I am now part of the formal system, no longer in the purgatory that is Post-Docing (whatever).
Society is funny about research and science. The ease with which people relegate the graduate student to second class (see Simpson YouTube episode), the pause and confusion when you explain that you are not a physician and that post-docing is generally considered a requirement to do anything once you have the three letters. So, getting the J-O-B job is the key to escaping the questions, to getting a looser more easy tone in conversations. How’s your job – the intonation is that there is now suddenly a greater purpose to your day beyond sitting at the bench. Truth be told…there is not.
There are differences, to be sure, but the success rate of experiments doesn’t go up once you are out of the tower and now instead of publications I am pushing patents and tech notes, instead of meeting with colleagues I go to retreats and team building exercises. Our budgets are bigger (maybe) the pay is better (didn’t take much) but in the end the worry about a study design is still there, the wondering if someone is going to scoop you is still there and the drive to learn more, to push the limits of a technique or theory are still there. So how’s your job/research?
So Craig, you’ve decided to blog on Nature Network I see. Great, and welcome (though you have been here for ages, longer than me, that’s for sure). Looking forward to reading more posts. (As an ex-scientist, I am unable to answer your question but I look forward to reading others’ replies.)
Can’t comment on the job because I am on a grant, and the work isn’t going to great either because all is pubished or is going to be published later this year or even next year.
I have no time to create more work because I am making more papers.
Thanks Maxine. I hope that I can offer a unique voice to the wonderful chorus of NN bloggers.
Mark- I wish you luck on at the paper mill. I know I don’t miss that part of academia.