I have a TT offer at a R2 university in a less than desirable location. The university is by no means prestigious, but I did get a good vibe from my visit. My spouse has concerns about the location, but she recognizes that TT offers are few and far between.
I am 4 years out from my PhD. One of those years was spent doing research for a toxic PI and the rest has been spent in industry. My field is one where it’s not unheard of to do time in industry before going TT, but still not the norm by any means. In other interviews, it is clear that some academics don’t take me as seriously because of this path I’ve taken.
My spouse is ok with making the move as long as we make it a priority to find a more suitable location on a reasonable timeline.
Would it be reasonable and fair to the university to take this position? What would be a reasonable time frame for finding the next TT position? 2-3 years? 10 years?
Comments
What field are you in?
Do you hate your current job? If you have a job that support your life and let’s you live and have the community that you want, why give that up? We should work to help us live, not live to work.
Given the current policies around science funding and education, universities are going to be hit really hard for at least the next 4 years. I’d be hesiting to make any guesses on timelines for finding the next TT job given all that.
This will likely be your only TT offer and only chance at an academic career. You should evaluate this opportunity with the prospective you probably won’t move again.
Apply to other positions as soon as you start your TT position! It’s very common and typical to move in your 3rd year as TT, at least in my field (social sciences). But staying in industry can be good too if you enjoy your location, work, and pay. Higher ed is not having a good time so TT is not all that
What would be worse: this location being where you spend the rest of your career in, or never getting to be a professor?
The answer to that question will tell you what to do, because there are no guarantees that new offers would be coming.