Research Scientists

where she works with Dr Richard M. Peek. Dr Noto provides practical advice for succeeding in a career as a non–tenure-track scientist in academia. We hope this column will be relevant not only to research scientists but also to junior investigators considering this career path and principal investigators considering working in their own laboratories with research scientists. We welcome feedback on this new Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology column as well as suggestions for future topics. Comments and topic suggestions can be emailed to [email protected]. M ost individuals who obtain PhDs in the basic sciences aspire to tenure-track research careers in academia, but, in reality, the majority of scientists do not end up pursuing or obtaining these positions. Because of the limited number of tenure-track jobs, the plethora of highly trained PhD scientists, and the increasing diversity in sci-entists' career aspirations, alternative scientific career paths and academic research track positions are becoming increasingly prevalent. In 2012, an Advisory Committee to the National Institutes of Health Director reported that only 23% of PhD scientists in biomedical research obtained tenure-track academic positions, while nearly 20% obtained non–tenure-track academic positions focused on research and teaching. The nontenure academic research track is becoming a desired career path for many scientists and is well suited for many of the scientists who desire a fulfilling research career that allows them to capitalize on their strengths, advance scientific research in a collaborative fashion, and balance research with teaching and leadership responsibilities. My career path has followed a fairly straightforward trajectory. When I began my PhD in microbiology and immunology, I was in the majority, aspiring to a tenure-track career in academia. I took a postdoctoral position in a clinical department within the Division of Gastroen-terology that focused on both basic and translational research. During my postdoctoral training, however, my long-term career goals shifted because I discovered how much I enjoyed spending my time performing research and training/mentoring others at the bench. As a result, I began exploring career options that included more research-and teaching-intensive career paths. After completing my postdoctoral training, I was recruited within my postdoctoral laboratory to become a research instructor on a nontenure academic research track within the Division of Gastroenterology. This career path has been very fulfilling and has allowed me to focus the majority of my time on research. With the support of my mentor, I also have had ample opportunity …