Is it possible to recover after a career setback such as this? I'm sorry, I'm not a mathematician--I'm the wife of a very frustrated and depressed mathematician. 

My husband got a math PhD in 2009, and could not get a research post-doc in his chosen field.  We had young children at that point, and he spent two years as a lecturer, applied for hundreds of jobs, and finally took a tenure-track job at a teaching university. Now, he honestly believes that a research position is impossible for him.  He loves to teach, but hates the endless grind of "administrivia", the low pay, and the mental laziness of the students he's required to teach. (I wish I could give more details, but his research area was a fairly small community, and I don't want to give any aspect of his identity away.) 

I hate watching this brilliant man say things like, "Well, since I didn't get a post-doc, I'm stuck on this path, and there's nothing I can do to get out of it."  I hate watching him spiral into depression.  I am insisting on him getting counseling, but he refuses to take anyone's encouragement that other jobs are possible, saying things like, "You just don't know the academic world.  If I go to the NSA, no one will hire me in an academic position.  If I become an actuary (because we do need more money) then all of my time will be sucked into studying for exams, and I still won't be able to do research." In his mind, no one in our circle of loved ones has the authority or experience to give him accurate encouragement.  So I'm looking to anonymous strangers at this point. :(  Is a research position possible after spending time at a teaching university?  Would he be able to get back into academia if he had to leave to do actuarial work/industry/something that helps pay the bills? 



I wanted to give a brief update. 

To begin with, THANK YOU to everyone who replied.  My husband's eyes lit up after seeing that 1) This was a fairly common problem, and not somehow indicative of his skill level;  2) There were solutions, other than being miserable; and 3) The solutions did not a) condemn him to a life of administrivia, or b) require him to leave academia all together.

After getting the hope he needed from you guys, he spoke with a mentor of his from undergrad, and was given incredibly specific guidance on where to go from here.  His teaching load is so heavy, (4/4 or 4/3) and the mentor gave him a few places to apply to in his field where the teaching load is more conducive to some research, but is not at a research-specific university.   (3/3 or even 3/2!!!) He plans on speaking to his advisor, getting some glowing letters of recommendation, and starting a job search soon.  

Thanks so much.  It was nice to see his face light up again. &lt;3
The situation you describe is unfortunately common. It is an unfortunate reality that the number of people well qualified for research jobs is greater than the number of jobs.

A few notes:


Hiring committees will be looking for good publications, and for recommendation letters coming from leaders in the field attesting to your husband's impact and further potential. If he continues to do good research, publish it in well-known venues, and speak about it at conferences, then he has a good chance. If not, then unfortunately he is competing with people who are.
Most of the complaints you mention are common at research jobs as well. I teach at a large state university, where we have our share of poorly prepared students, and/or students who are just going through the motions. Indeed a Harvard professor once quipped to me that "we have remedial classes here, too". 
I do know people who have successfully moved from one teaching position to a different teaching position, and been much happier afterwards. Some departments have more motivated students, pay better, and/or do a better job of keeping the paperwork down, and your husband could look for one of these.
I know people who have taken a variety of non-academic mathematical jobs, and for the most part they are quite happy with them!


The bottom line is that your husband can probably get a research job if he can sustain a very strong research program during the interim. Otherwise, there are likely to be appealing alternatives as well.

Good luck!