scooter: The length of time spent between receiving a degree and finding an academic position varies considerably. If you were to do a full residency and a postdoc, it might take anywhere from 5-12 years. However, MD-PhD's have a number of options that are not available to holders of single degrees. First of all, there is something called the 'research residency,' which allows you to combine research and clinical work and is not as long as doing both a full residency and a full postdoc (as an MD-only would be required to do if interested in research). Next, you should note that horror stories about 10-year postdocs generally come from PhD's. MD-PhD's have more options and generally won't stay in dead-end positions, and they are also more highly regarded in general and are more likely to be quickly offered academic positions, ending the postdoc period. Overall, the MD-PhD is a timesaver because even though the doctoral degree takes longer to earn, the time spent in postdoctoral training is considerably less. However, there are no hard-and-fast rules to this. There is no guarantee that you will earn your degrees in 7 years (many take 8, 9, or even 10). And advancement in research, as in any field, depends on your personal abilities. If you are good, you will go up. If you are incompetent, you are unlikely to be granted an academic position regardless of how many letters you have after your name. Best of luck!
