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The regular trend for a student of the sciences is to toil through their undergrad and graduate studies before beginning doctoral work that will lead, hopefully, to a full time research or university position, but that trend has been shaken up a bit in the past few years. 

The reason for the shake up is that the point in people’s lives when they are finishing up their doctorate is around the time that most people start families.  Whereas the old stereotype was that scientists lived for their labs and wouldn’t be happy with an experiment on hand, the new view of scientists is that they are highly educated and highly driven people who do want to have that research option, but also want to spend time with their families.  In an effort not to lose the abilities of those highly educated people, institutions are starting to be more flexible when it comes to researchers’ schedules.

So is this for you and do you have a chance at part time researching?  Well, that depends on a number of factors.  The current market for part time researchers isn’t all that large and is mainly dependent upon a person’s personal relationship with either a supervisor or a funding source.  That being said, the market for part timers has been expanding, so if you are at the high school or early college level, then by the time you reach this point, there will likely be more opportunities for you to pursue a fulfilling career in science and not have to sacrifice the option of starting and raising a family because of research obligations.


Further Reading:
•  Part-Time Science in Perspective   

•    Check with your own university, or prospective university, about part time opportunities