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I am currently writing-up a thesis in Mass Communication, on track to submit in September this year. All through my PhD experience, I have been able to determine that I would want a teaching career in FE/HE rather than a typical research one.

I do worry though that the bulk of the roles available tend to be more research-focused. While I do enjoy research, I do know that I certainly want to spend the bulk of my time teaching rather than the typical academic roles which are more research-oriented, with a bit of time for teaching.

Is the job market really this saturated by research roles? Am I being unrealistic in looking for full-time, permanent teaching-dominated roles?

My ideal situation would be to design and teach a PG course of my choice, focusing on my area/s of expertise. And a firmly and steadily research-focused academic career.

Is it realistic with the demands of the job market though?

Depends. I outlined what I want, and in the deparmtent in which I work the main focus is research. It is strongly research led. Students produced out of this dept usuaoly go on for research led roles, recruitments prioritise research. (both in terms of public policy relevant grant holding research as well as individual intellectual outputs). I would be open to starting with a teaching focus, but really, my 'meta' aim is to have a research led career.

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Olisaa, all uni's are interested in research output as this contributes to RAE/REF, so be careful about how you approach employers, but also be beware that many universities/staff will take offence if you view research-orientated roles as not also involving an important teaching role (you'll be considered inflexible). Universities are becoming very sensitive about ensuring faculty teach and are available to students.

In my experience (looking for a job for the past 6 mths), HE is generally saturated by research roles with Russell Group universities not recruiting (with reported cuts being made over the next several years), and the posts that are appearing are mostly teaching-led universities (ex-polys/new unis). You might be wise to look specifically for a 'teaching fellow' post, but this may limit your career progression. But in the current job market, it's a case of beggars can't be chosers, and you have to take what's available.

I don't believe you're being unrealistic to want a teaching-dominated role, but if you go down this route you'll have to look towards FE colleges and new universities with small research profiles.

As PhDbug raises, you could look at designing you own course, but also be prepared to be able to teach standard UG and/or PG courses in your field (eg. don't be too niche to the point where only a handful of uni's will be interested in you).

I am trying to get a full time lecturers job, but will probably have to blag another post doc before I stand a viable chance. The recent recession has led to cuts in appointments at universities and this has had a knock on effect on teaching staff etc. Not saying its impossible, but it is a tricky time to be looking at the moment.

I think most PhDs are trying to get out of lecturing if they can as more commercialised universities with more than 30 hours a week lecturing work load are blooming all over the world. Further, with subcontinentals replacing bona fide citizens pretty soon the pay will also drop and they will be paying you in foreign depreciated currencies.

Tjj8 The future for HE you describe sounds just like FE teaching - possible perfect for Olissa (aside form the money, which is always going to be an issue in academia).

Just to support Sue on the matter of removing the post, it disgusted me and I cast it aside... anyway, let's move on, it always inspires me to see the (very) many who have open minds, as expected of scholars, in comparison to the rather few who end up doing themselves no good by doing what they do...

Sigh, complex sentence, am trying to revise a sodding essay that refuses to lend itself to any alterations whatsoever...

:-s