Working in Academia vs. Industry

As a lab scientist, you usually have to choose between two main paths in your career : academia or industry.

It’s not always easy to make the jump, so let’s weigh the pros and cons of each to help you make your choice and decide if you’d prefer to work in academia vs. industry.

Quick comparison

Academia

Academia is a term used for any laboratories that are grant-funded, meaning it depends on grants and public money, like universities.

Pros of working in Academia

• Flexible hours
• Job safety
• Personal interest in what you work on
• Great resources for collaboration

Cons of working in Academia

• Low pay
• Dependent on funding
• Low work-life balance possible, with evenings and week-ends work depending on your research area

Industry

Industry means any privately-funded laboratories, like pharma or biotech companies.

Pros of working in Industry

• Better pay
• Work-life balance
• Sufficient resources (better equipment)

Cons of working in Industry

• No choice of research subject, may not be of interest to you
• Job insecurity (layoffs are frequent)
• Complex bureaucracy

In-depth differences

Focus and Research Goals:

• Academia: Lab scientists focus on fundamental research aimed at advancing scientific knowledge. Research projects are more exploratory and hypothesis-driven, with a focus on publishing findings in academic journals.
• Industry: Lab scientists typically work on applied research with specific commercial objectives (developing new products, technologies, or therapies). Research projects are usually driven by market demands.

Funding and Resources:

• Academia: Lab scientists rely on grants from government agencies, private foundations, or academic institutions to fund their research. Funding is competitive and (unfortunately) dictate the scope and duration of the projects.
• Industry: Lab scientists typically have access to more abundant resources, including funding from the company, state-of-the-art equipment, and specialized facilities.

Work Environment and Culture:

• Academia: Lab scientists usually work in university or research institute settings, where they can have more autonomy in their research direction and greater flexibility in their schedules.
• Industry: Lab scientists typically work in corporate or commercial settings, where research is conducted as part of a larger project. The work environment is be more structured, with defined objectives and timelines.

Intellectual Property and Publication:

• Academia: Lab scientists often have greater freedom to publish their research findings in academic journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Industry: Lab scientists will have restrictions on publication and intellectual property rights, particularly when working on proprietary research or projects with commercial potential.

Career Advancement and Compensation:

• Academia: Career advancement in academia often involves a combination of research productivity, teaching, and service to the academic community. Tenure-track positions and promotions require a strong publication record and successful grant funding. Salaries are typically lower compared to industry positions.
• Industry: Career advancement in industry may be tied to factors such as project success, leadership abilities, and contributions to company objectives. Salaries in industry tend to be higher on average compared to academia, with additional benefits such as bonuses and stock options in some cases.

Conclusion

There you have it ! You now have all the information you need to make your choice.

Ultimately, the decision between academia and industry as a laboratory scientist depends on your individual career goals, research interests, and preferences for work environment and culture.

If you’re still unsure about what path to take, you can also take a look at my article listing all the opportunities you could have as a lab scientist, away from the bench.