No grants, no tenure. No tenure, no career. In chemistry, there’s a commercial path in biotech/pharma, but I’m not sure there’s a similar one in biology. Certainly not in physics.

If you want to be an academic, and there’s appeal advantages in being a tenured prof, you have to chase opportunities. What advantages you might ask? Always being at or near the forefront. Always being surrounded by young, bright people. A collegial, worldwide culture. Reasonably good compensation with a chance of commercial activity.