A career opportunity has presented itself that would allow me to leverage many of my skills and talents developed and nurtured over the years as a scientist to do something that sounds really fun and awesome. But it would likely be extremely difficult–yet perhaps not impossible–to pursue this opportunity without permanently leaving–or at least taking a leave of absence–from my tenured faculty position.
I have been a PI in academic science for a pretty long time. I know what I’m doing, I’m good at it, and there aren’t really any surprises in store (other than the scientific ones, of course). This potential position would a complete departure into uncharted territory. I am both anxious and excited about the possibility.
14 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
loquaxe
September 22, 2012 at 6:13 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Congratulations for the opportunity. Pretty sure your decision will lead you to succeed, as it appears to be the norm in your career.
skeptifem
September 22, 2012 at 6:59 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
how exciting!
david
September 22, 2012 at 7:45 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
There’s only one way to stay young, and that’s to not grow old in what you do.
undinenotofgeneralinterest
September 22, 2012 at 8:21 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Yes, congratulations on the opportunity! If you could take a leave of absence, that could be the best of both worlds until you decide.
Dr Becca
September 22, 2012 at 9:02 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Wow! Super exciting, PP! Do you maybe have a senior post-doc who can take over as PI for a while?
Namnezia
September 22, 2012 at 9:11 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’ve known folks who leave academia for a while and then come back, which I’m sure you’d be able to do if the other thing was a disaster. I hope the new venture involves building a large, underground, secret laboratory to breed colonies of highly intelligent, genetically modified ants that can take over the world.
arrzey
September 22, 2012 at 10:22 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Change is good, stasis turns one into an intellectual and emotional raisin.
EarlyToBed
September 23, 2012 at 6:37 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Sounds exciting, and a big decision. I had a similar opportunity a few years back, and didn’t take it. But the process of considering it helped refocus my priorities in my current job, and I do hope to be able to return to similar possibilities at some point in the future. Looking forward to hearing updates.
Beaker
September 23, 2012 at 7:09 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.
–William Blake
Lady Day
September 23, 2012 at 9:03 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Go for it, dude!
superfragilistika
September 24, 2012 at 12:44 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Today I tried a new type of job to see if I liked it and I definitely go for science. I am physically exhausted and ready to go sleep.
DrugMonkey
September 24, 2012 at 4:11 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I can’t believe you are blogging about this shit dude….but best of luck. Don’t forget the little people!
Revanche
September 26, 2012 at 4:24 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Can you (professionally and financially afford to) take a year-long sabbatical to go for it? If it’s that cool, seems like you should explore the opportunity!
Hoping for the best!
canadian
October 3, 2012 at 2:17 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
As I woke up few minutes ago and open my computer I found something on my desktop that made me thrill for 5 seconds. Should I interpret it as a real job opportunity? Or just regular spam?