Increased Job Prospects for Neuroradiologists, Not So Much for Pediatric Radiologists

The diagnostic radiology job market is experiencing a revival. According to a recent study published in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology, since 2016, there has been a significant spike in open academic radiology positions.

The study’s author, Cory M. Pfeifer, MD, MS, evaluated online job board postings from the Society for Pediatric Radiologists (SPR), American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR), American College of Radiology (ACR), and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) every day between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. He noted that there was a 28 percent increase of job listings between this time frame, with 416 jobs posted in July and 576 at the end of the study.

Pfeifer found that 72 percent of the jobs posted to SPR’s Career Center and 55 percent of ASNR’s job listings were academic positions. SPR offered 97 “unique attending-level positions and 19 unique domestic fellowships.” ASRN advertised a similar figure, with “93 unique positions and 31 unique fellowship openings.”

Pfeifer also kept on eye on neuroradiology and pediatric radiology job postings, as neuroradiology was predicted to be the most competitive subspecialty for 2017, and pediatric radiology was projected to be the least attractive field. In the end, he found that 13 percent of positions were for neuroradiologists, whereas only 3 percent were advertised toward pediatric radiologists.

The highest numbers of job positions published across the sites were during late winter and early spring. According to Pfeifer, fellows who are still applying to jobs come April should “adjust their expectations” because there are fewer openings in late spring.

“This increased number of positions is enlightening for new radiologists, and it is likely to signal increased competition between practices for applicants,” wrote Pfeifer. “While the use of physician recruiting firms, printed advertisements, and word of mouth are valuable tools in procuring new radiology talent, the ease and inexpensive use of the Internet makes web-based job postings a convenient venue for both applicants and practices.”