Average time per week early-career academics in the US work?

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SUMMARY

The average work hours per week for early-career academics in the U.S. vary significantly based on individual circumstances and specific academic disciplines. Graduate students pursuing a PhD in astronomy typically engage in extensive work hours, often exceeding 40 hours per week, especially during critical research phases. Postdoctoral researchers in astronomy also experience similar demands, with work hours often dictated by project deadlines and research commitments. The discussion highlights a general consensus that the workload is substantial and can fluctuate based on various factors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of academic structures in the U.S. (e.g., PhD programs, postdoctoral positions)
  • Familiarity with the field of astronomy and its research demands
  • Knowledge of work-life balance challenges in academia
  • Awareness of the cultural expectations surrounding academic workloads
NEXT STEPS
  • Research average work hours for PhD candidates in various scientific disciplines
  • Explore the impact of workload on mental health in academia
  • Investigate time management strategies for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers
  • Learn about funding opportunities and their influence on research commitments
USEFUL FOR

Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, academic advisors, and anyone interested in understanding the workload expectations in the field of astronomy and other scientific disciplines.

Omega Force
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Hello.

I've got two questions:

1) In the U.S., what's the average time per week that a graduate student doing a PhD in astronomy work?

2) In the U.S., what's the average time per week that a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy work?

Thanks in advance for your answers.
 
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Omega Force said:
Hello.

I've got two questions:

1) In the U.S., what's the average time per week that a graduate student doing a PhD in astronomy work?

2) In the U.S., what's the average time per week that a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy work?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

I don't know about astronomy in particular, but if it's similar to other disciplines depending on what's going on the answer will range from a lot, to, we ran out of coffee a lot.
 
Paraphrasing J P Morgan on a question posed to him by a fellow banker on the cost of a yacht. If you have to ask you probably cannot afford it.

For your question if you have to ask you probably should not consider Astronomy or any science for that matter. I don't know why it would be different in the US compared to anywhere else. Your post begs the question: Why is it of concern? So how much? As much as necessary.
 

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