Surgeon-scientists are uniquely positioned to make significant contributions to research which directly affects patient care, however, there are many barriers to a successful career in academic surgery. Surgeon-scientists must balance the demand for clinical productivity, education, and administration with the time commitment required to complete meaningful research. The challenges associated with maintaining this balance have led to a decrease in the number of individuals pursuing a career as a surgeon-scientist. There is a significant need to support surgeon-scientists as they embark on this challenging career path. This paper outlines a pathway to begin a successful career in academic surgical research and provides an approach to identifying and overcoming challenges.

Career development

Surgery

Research

Surgeon scientist

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.