Cost/benefit of interim professorship

Question

What is the cost/benefit analysis for a Post-Doc taking a position as an interim professor?

Some costs I can think of: High teaching workload. Current projects suffer and a gap in publication record may result.

Some Benefits: Higher salary during interim position. The value of adding the position to your CV.

There may be some possibility of getting considered for the permanent job? — user24098, May 13, 2016 at 15:14
Note that in many cases research post-docs are paid better than visiting assistant professors. Another reason for taking a VAP position is that it is a way to gain teaching experience. In many cases, people take such positions because they're the only positions available. — Brian Borchers, May 13, 2016 at 15:49
You really should make your question more specific. These kinds of analyses can't be made seriously in the abstract. IMHO. — einpoklum, Mar 24, 2017 at 21:29

OBu · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-04 22:37:47Z

The answer will depend on many individual factors. Some positive aspects are:

The university gets to know you. I know of several interim professors who got a full professorship later on because everyone was satisfied with the person.
You are gaining teaching experience. This is an important factor if you want to apply for a professorship.
Related, but slightly different: You build up a teaching portfolio. If you are becoming a professor later, you are already having some material at hand.
You are getting in contact with motivated students which you can involve in your research activities.
Last but not least: Teaching can be fun :-).

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