untitled

124 CAREER ADVICE FOR LIFE SCIENTISTS II

Dual(ing) Academic Careers

Liz Gavis

Princeton University

Fred Hughson

Princeton University

W

hen life partners both choose careers in

academic science, tough issues arise.

Balancing the conflicting demands of

work, relationship, and sometimes children is daunting

for everyone, but dual academic careers bring this chal-

lenge into particularly sharp focus. Because time is

such a strong constraint, setting both career and rela-

tionship priorities is essential. Certainly there is no

optimal strategy for every couple, but some strategy is

required and the only way to reach one is by communi-

cating to forge agreement on core principles.

A primary factor in the equation for many couples is

the decision to start a family. While it is widely

acknowledged that “there is no good time to have chil-

dren,” the corollary that “any time is as good as any

other” is just as true. The integration of family with

dual academic careers will require additional multi-

tasking, whenever it occurs.

The first step in launching dual academic careers is

landing two academic positions. There are at least two

basic possibilities and many variations. Both partners

can look for academic positions simultaneously, or one

partner can find a position and the second can post-

pone the process, attempting at a later time to find

something compatible. When possible, a synchronous

strategy makes sense for one key reason: the job candi-

date holds the cards during the interval between

receiving and accepting a job offer. A synchronous

While it is widely acknowledged that

“there is no good time to have

children,” the corollary that “any time

is as good as any other” is just as true.