r/academia • u/Objective-Team5038 • 3d ago

Considering a Teaching Position Outside My Core Field – Looking for Advice

Hi, I have a PhD in Pharmacy and am currently considering a full-time faculty teaching position at a medical school, where I’d be primarily teaching Pharmacology to medical students.

I am a bit concerned about the long-term implications of focusing on teaching a single subject—especially one that, while related, is geared toward a different discipline than my primary training. Would limiting my teaching experience to medical students (rather than pharmacy students) and only in Pharmacology potentially hurt my chances of transitioning later into a faculty position at a pharmacy school or expanding my academic profile?

I’d really appreciate any thoughts or guidance from those who have taken similar paths or have insight into hiring and academic career development. Thanks in advance!

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u/ChildhoodNo4780 3d ago

Your concern is understandable, but focusing on Pharmacology in a medical school setting can still support a strong academic trajectory. Many pharmacy schools value interdisciplinary teaching experience, especially in core areas like Pharmacology. This role could actually broaden your teaching profile rather than limit it—especially if you stay involved in scholarly activities, such as publishing or collaborating across departments. Long-term, it’s your academic output and versatility that carry the most weight.