By my count, there are 6 tenure-track positions in English language universities around the world that ask for someone with my specialization (early modern philosophy). There’s also a one-year replacement and two one-year post-docs. There are probably another 20-30 jobs or post-docs that are “open” (that is, they don’t specify a specialty, and thus get applicants from all fields in philosophy). Those jobs will probably receive at least 200 applicants a piece, and probably more like 300-400. Jobs in my field will probably get about 50-100 legitimate candidates.
That means if I had decided to apply for jobs this year, I would be competing for one of six jobs, with a slim chance at a couple dozen more. Fortunately, I’m not applying this year. Unfortunately, I will be applying next year, when there will be just as few jobs and all the people who didn’t get jobs this year will be reapplying, making an even larger applicant pool.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Clint Walker responded // Nov 6, 2009 at 3:49 pm
This is part of the reason I am looking at a D.Min instead of a Ph.d if I get a doctrate. There are not enough full time professorships as it is.
2 mbw said // Nov 14, 2009 at 6:32 pm
300-400? Half again as many, I think.
Unfortunately, I am out on the market this year. Not looking good, but one never knows.
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