You’re here because you’re curious about alt-ac jobs for PhDs. Or maybe you have no idea what that means! Read on.
Across most academic disciplines and departments, faculty work or a career within academia (as an instructor, researcher, or professor on or off the tenure track) is still seen as the default or most desirable option. While we all wish that weren’t so, it is what it is.
But now, even more graduate students, recent PhDs, and even faculty members recognize they may want or need to broaden their horizons when it comes to what’s possible for them and their students. Leaving academia is increasingly common.
One place many PhDs find meaningful work is within higher (post-secondary) education, in staff or administrative positions. These are often termed “alternative-academic” — alt-ac for short — jobs, especially by folks in the humanities and social sciences, who are more likely to work within higher ed than STEM PhDs, generally speaking.
A few things to note
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all alt-ac positions. Every college and university is organized differently.
Job titles are frequently not standardized across fields, so use the ones provided here as a starting point.
Some of these positions will recruit PhDs specifically; others may be filled by someone who happens to have a doctorate, though that experience and credential is not required.
Some of these positions will suit new graduates or recent postdocs; others are more senior.
The term “alt-ac” (for short) or #AltAc on social media includes roles outside higher ed as well. This list only points to jobs at colleges and universities.
This resource, “Where to look for #altac PhDs at universities” by Jennifer Polk is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Download a copy to keep from Google Docs.
Ideas for where to look for careers PhDs working in higher / postsecondary education beyond postdocs, the tenure-track, or adjunct positions
Student Affairs
Academic Advisor
Learning Strategist
Career Educator
Counsellor
International Student Advisor
Postdoc Administrator
Writing Specialists
Fellowship Advisor
Transition Q&A Examples
Teaching and Learning Support
Instructional Designer
Educational Developer
Curriculum Designer
Education & Technology Director
Research Administration
Compliance Officer
Grant Writer
Research Facilitator
Transition Q&A Examples
Innovation and Commercialization
Patent Agent
Technology Transfer Specialist
Knowledge Translation and Mobilization Expert
Partnerships Manager
Transition Q&A Examples
Academic Integrity and Research Ethics
Institutional Analysis and Policy
Data Scientist
Program Evaluator
Program Assessor
Policy Analyst
Government relations officers
Human Resources
Training and Professional Development Officer
Diversity and Inclusion Consultant
Data Analyst
Learning Specialist
Scholarly Publishing
Acquisitions Editor
Marketing Specialist
Sales Representatitve
Media and Press Officer
Transition Q&A Examples
Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) and Theatre
Librarian
Archivist
Operations Staff
Museum Curator
Theatre Director
Transition Q&A Examples
Program Management and Administration
Director of Research Center
Center Administrator
Faculty Coordinator
Program Administrator
Program Manager
Program Coordinator
Transition Q&A Examples
Research Center, Research Institute, and Affiliated Hospitals
Research Associate
Research Evaluator
Clinician
Program Officer
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Marketing and Communications
Fundraising and Development
Advancement Officer
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising Officer
Director of Advancement
Transition Q&A Examples
Scientific and Technical Operations
Lab Manager
Scientist
Engineer
Developer
Project Manager
Biosafety Officer
Data Manager
Research Technologist
Research and Development Coordinator
Entrepreneurship Center or Innovation Hub
Community Outreach
Community Outreach Officer
Community Outreach Facilitator
Study Abroad
Study Abroad Program Coordinator
Study Abroad Program Director
Marketing and Media Relations
Social Media Specialist
Marketing Manager
Marketing Coordinator
Knowledge Mobilization Staff
Research Communications Specialist
Editor
Interview Example
Facilities and Operations Management
Strategic Planner
Financial Officer
Facilities Management Director
Operations Manager
Recruitment and Admissions
Director of Recruitment
Recruitment and Admissions Manager
Admissions Officer
Transition Q&A Examples
Non-Tenure Track Academics
Full-Time and Part-Time Professor (Contract)
Instructor
Lecturer
Researcher
Research Associate
Transition Q&A Examples
