I haven’t finished my PhD yet, should I apply for a full-time academic job?
Should you apply for a full-time academic job when you haven’t yet finished your PhD? Well, that depends on a lot of things, so let’s unpick all of that!
You’re knee-deep in your PhD, juggling data analysis, writing, supervision meetings, and probably questioning your life choices on a semi-regular basis… and then it happens. You spot a job ad. A full-time academic job. Maybe it’s the dream role you’ve always wanted. Maybe it’s not quite the job, but it’s close enough—and it comes with a steady income, a proper job title, and that elusive first step onto the academic career ladder.
But then you pause and wonder: Should I actually be applying for a full-time academic job when I haven’t finished my PhD yet?
Is this a bold, strategic move? Or is it the fastest route to complete burnout?
If you’ve been asking yourself those questions, pull up a chair. Let’s talk it through properly.
The academic job market - what you’re up against
Let’s be real here. The academic job market is tough. And I don’t mean ‘difficult to navigate’ tough—I mean brutal.
These roles are often flooded with applications. It’s not unusual for 50, 60, or even over 100 people to apply for a single job.
Universities aren’t just hiring someone who has a PhD. They’re often looking for the full package: an experienced researcher, a talented teacher, a colleague who’ll chip in with admin and management duties, and, if they’re lucky, someone who brings cake to faculty meetings. (Okay, that last one isn’t on the person spec, but it definitely helps with your popularity.)
You’ll usually see two types of job adverts. Some will state ‘PhD essential’, and if that’s the case, they mean it. There’s no wiggle room there—you’ve got to have your PhD in hand before you even think about applying. Others will say ‘PhD desirable’, or mention ABD (All But Dissertation), which basically means they might consider you if you can convince them you’re close to the finish line. And by close, they don’t just mean “I reckon I’ll get there soon.” They’ll want evidence. A firm submission date. A clear sense that you’re not going to spend the next two years lost in rewrites.
“These roles are often flooded with applications. It’s not unusual for 50, 60, or even over 100 people to apply for a single job. ”
Are you really ready for an academic job right now?
Now, just because a job advert says you can apply before finishing doesn’t mean you should. The big question here isn’t about eligibility—it’s about readiness. And being honest with yourself about that is key.
Start by asking yourself where you’re actually up to with your PhD. Are you tidying up a few chapters and polishing your bibliography?
Or are you still staring at a half-finished draft, wondering how on earth you’re going to write another 50,000 words? Do you have a solid, realistic timeline for submission, or are you still figuring it all out as you go? If you’re deep in data collection, struggling to analyse results, or rewriting huge chunks of your work, adding a full-time job into the mix could be a recipe for disaster.
And let’s talk about time pressure. A full-time academic role isn’t a neat, nine-to-five job. It’s more like three jobs rolled into one. There’s teaching to plan and deliver—often a heavy load, especially if it’s your first academic post.
I remember my first year as a lecturer. I was writing lecture slides late at night, barely staying ahead of my students by a week. It felt like I was on a hamster wheel that I couldn’t get off. The first few years of teaching often feel like that. You’re building up a portfolio of your own lectures, seminars, and course materials, and that takes serious time and effort. Now imagine doing all that while finishing a PhD… I’m tired just thinking about it.
And teaching is only one part of the job. There’s research, too. It’s not just about having ideas—it’s about turning them into projects. You’ll be applying for grants, writing papers, revising them after reviewer feedback, and constantly thinking about where your next project is coming from. You’ll also be networking and building collaborations, because academia isn’t a solo gig.
On top of all that, there’s the admin. You might be organising open days, sitting on committees, dealing with student issues, or managing course assessments. All of these things take up way more time than you expect.
So, the big question is: can you realistically finish your PhD and do all of that without burning out? Be brutally honest with yourself about what you can handle.
“I remember my first year as a lecturer. I was writing lecture slides late at night, barely staying ahead of my students by a week. It felt like I was on a hamster wheel that I couldn’t get off. The first few years of teaching often feel like that. ”
Why it might be worth it to apply anyway
Okay, so that’s the reality check. But what about the reasons why it could be a good move?
For one, landing a full-time academic job while you’re still finishing your PhD can give you a massive career boost. You’re in the system, building your experience, and you can finally stop worrying about whether you’ll ever get a job after your PhD—because you’ve already got one.
There’s also the financial side. Let’s be honest: most PhD funding doesn’t stretch very far. A full-time salary, with benefits, can make a huge difference—especially if you’ve been relying on short-term teaching contracts or research assistant gigs to make ends meet.
And then there are the perks that come with being part of a university department. You’ll have access to research funding, better library resources, maybe even an actual office instead of working at your kitchen table surrounded by coffee mugs and books. These things can make finishing your PhD feel more manageable.
The big challenges (and how to handle them)
That said, taking on a full-time job while finishing your PhD is no walk in the park. One of the hardest things is managing your time. You’ll need a clear, non-negotiable timeline for finishing your thesis, and you’ll need to carve out protected time to get the writing done. Some universities will support you with this—reducing your workload a little while you finish up—but not all. It’s something to think about before you accept any offer.
You may also encounter people who question whether you’re really ready for the role if you haven’t finished your PhD yet. That’s okay. In your application, you’ll want to be upfront about your PhD timeline. Show them you have a clear plan and are on track. And make sure you highlight the other things you bring to the table—teaching experience, publications, conference presentations—anything that demonstrates you’re ready to hit the ground running.
And yes, stress and burnout are real risks. If you decide to go for it, make sure you’re setting realistic goals, taking care of yourself, and reaching out for support when you need it. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just need to keep moving forward.
What if you’re still not sure?
If the idea of juggling a full-time job and finishing your PhD makes you feel slightly panicked, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for academia. It might just mean this isn’t the right time.
There are other options. You could apply for a postdoc position, which often comes with a lighter teaching and admin load, giving you more space to focus on your research. Part-time teaching roles can give you experience without overwhelming you. And there are plenty of non-academic jobs in industry, policy, or think tanks where your PhD-level skills are in demand.
And hey—here’s something people don’t talk about enough—you could go self-employed. You already have expertise people will pay you for. Consultancy, online courses, workshops, freelance research support… it’s all on the table once you’ve developed the skills and knowledge that a PhD gives you. It might be worth exploring.
“You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just need to keep moving forward.”
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