While most professors follow a standard path from graduate school to post-doctorate to tenure-track position, a few begin their research careers in private enterprise and move to academia.

Little support exists for those considering such a transition, and when considering a career in academics, many scientists are told that the move to industry from school is a one-way path, according to Eve Riskin, a University of Washington professor of electrical engineering. But encouraging women to return to academia might boost the number of female faculty in engineering, science, and math departments, Riskin says. The On-Ramps into Academia workshop at UW, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, helps experienced women researchers make the leap.

There are people who always wanted to be professors, and now they would like to have a crack at it, Riskin says.

"It's a zero-sum game when universities hire women away from other institutions," she says. This is among the first program to focus on women in industry and government labs as a new pool of qualified applicants, she adds.

The second On-Ramps workshop takes place May 15-17 at the Washington Park Arboretum. Women who hold a doctorate in science, engineering, or math and currently work in government, industry, or as consultants are invited to apply online. Participants' registration, accommodation, and food are covered, and some travel funding is available.

The first of three On-Ramps workshops was held in 2009. Of the 27 participants, five are now in tenure-track positions, and at least two more are in the application process. These numbers might be higher, organizers add, except the recession has shrunk state schools' hiring budgets. Past participants might continue to apply for academic jobs.

"One piece of advice I would have is, be prepared for the process to take a long time," says On-Ramps participant Cecilia Aragon, a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory who recently accepted a position as associate professor at UW.

"I've been thinking about this for a number of years," Aragon says. She sought advice from colleagues in academia and worked to boost academic credentials.

Another past On-Ramps participant, Debra Wallace, had been teaching classes as an adjunct professor while running a business. She attended On-Ramps to get help moving to a full-time academic position and is now an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Wallace says her new job makes better use of her education and research experience. The flexible schedule also allows her to balance work and personal obligations, "even though I sometimes feel that my students have my cell number on speed dial," she jokes.

Tina Eliassi-Rad, an assistant professor of computer science at Rutgers University and former scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, already had accepted an academic position by the workshop date, but attended On-Ramps to share her recent experiences in applying and interviewing for academic jobs.

"An academic career provides the intellectual freedom that is hard to find in industry or government labs," Eliassi-Rad says of her decision.

On-Ramps is helpful, Eliassi-Rad says, because it showcases successful females who have transitioned to academia and provides hands-on feedback on the academic dossier. Finally, it outlines what candidates should expect when they go on the academic market, she says.

Other high-profile women faculty in science and engineering who have followed this route include Jennifer Rexford, professor of computer science at Princeton University and former researcher at AT&T, and Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College and former researcher at IBM.

Nobody has studied the researchers who make this transition, Riskin says. Part of On-Ramps includes surveying participants on what factors influence their decision and following their progress.

This year's speakers include Cherry Murray, who became dean of Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences after working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Bell Labs. Murray will talk about applying for academic leadership positions.