Assistant Professor+66% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
69% of observed moves out of Postdoctoral Researcher go here (4,200 careers)
progressionconfidence high4,200 careers93% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · higher_ed_faculty
Where does a Postdoctoral Researcher go next?
10 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.
Typical advancement
Management path
Associate Professor+111% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
23% of observed moves out of Postdoctoral Researcher go here (1,400 careers)
leadership branchconfidence high1,400 careers92% of observed exits move upward from there
Professor+184% typical comp change · ~6.0y typical
reachable via Assistant Professor. 15% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence high1,400 careers84% of observed exits move upward from there
Senior Scientist+156% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
8% of observed moves out of Postdoctoral Researcher go here (480 careers)
leadership branchconfidence moderate480 careers90% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
Department Chair+305% typical comp change · ~6.0y typical
reachable via Associate Professor. 5% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence high1,400 careersno observed onward moves above the evidence floor
Career pivot
Student Services Advisor+66% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Assistant Professor. 5% joint share of observed careers
pivotconfidence moderate460 careers60% of observed exits move upward from there