# Gender and the Career Outcomes of PhD Astronomers in the United States

## TL;DR

This study analyzes the career trajectories of male and female PhD astronomers in the US, finding no significant gender differences in employment rates, hiring, or leaving the field, indicating similar success levels across genders.

## Contribution

It provides comprehensive, quantitative evidence that gender does not significantly influence career outcomes for astronomers post-PhD in the US.

## Key findings

- Approximately 65-66% of men and women find long-term employment in astronomy.
- No significant gender difference in hiring or leaving rates.
- Gender ratios in career outcomes are statistically indistinguishable.

## Abstract

I analyze the postdoctoral career tracks of a nearly-complete sample of astronomers from 28 United States graduate astronomy and astrophysics programs spanning 13 graduating years (N=1063). A majority of both men and women (65% and 66%, respectively) find long-term employment in astronomy or closely-related academic disciplines. No significant difference is observed in the rates at which men and women are hired into these jobs following their PhDs, or in the rates at which they leave the field. Applying a two-outcome survival analysis model to the entire data set, the relative academic hiring probability ratio for women vs. men at a common year post-PhD is H_(F/M) = 1.08 (+0.20, -0.17; 95% CI); the relative leaving probability ratio is L_(F/M) = 1.03 (+0.31, -0.24). These are both consistent with equal outcomes for both genders (H_(F/M) = L_(F/M) = 1) and rule out more than minor gender differences in hiring or in the decision to abandon an academic career. They suggest that despite discrimination and adversity, women scientists are successful at managing the transition between PhD, postdoctoral, and faculty/staff positions.