The Accidental Profession: A Career in Life Sciences Publishing

The standard academic trajectory involves PhD research, some teaching—usually in a supporting role, publishing research, dissertation writing, and post-doctoral work often in partnership with an established senior scholar. These steps are prelude to an academic appointment where research, writing and teaching, and service to the community and institution are mandated parts of career advancement. As readers of this volume will see, this idealized journey is often plagued by missteps, delays, changing priorities, and unanticipated choices. Careers become the result of intentions, as well as accidents. This chapter describes my path to a successful career in scientific publishing.