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This presentation was designed to assist and educate the interviewee regarding Faculty Search Committees, and was authored by Seiichi Matsuda (Chemistry), Matteo Pasquali (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering), and Joff Silberg (Biochemistry).

What are we looking for?

The tenure package

  • Publications
  • Grants
  • Invited talks
  • Teaching
  • Service

The university’s timeline

  • Decide on search criteria
  • Evaluate applicant packages
  • Select the short list
  • Interview
  • Decide on offers
  • Close the deal

Applying for a position

  • “Cold” applications
    • Usually need to have connections to the department
  • Responding to an advertisement
    • Consider level and areas requested
  • Solicited applications
    • Be sure to present at the most relevant conferences. Hopefully this visibility will lead to contacts with hiring departments.

The application

  • Cover letter
    • Summarize your qualifications and interests
  • Curriculum Vitae
    Some variability in details and format between fields.
    • Academic credentials
    • Research experience
    • Publications
    • Honors, awards, grants, etc.
  • Research interests statement
  • Teaching interests statement
  • References
  • May include reprints/preprints
Get feedback on your application package from a mentor. Get examples!

Research statement

  • Remember that the search committee members may be in areas peripheral to your research
  • Describe two or three research proposals
    • Usually one that is related to your prior work that is clearly feasible
    • One or two projects that demonstrate your ability to think beyond your current work

What to include?

  • Statement about the problem
    • Key unanswered questions in field
    • How will your work contribute?
  • Description of research plans
    • Break into specific aims
    • Include figures
    • Be both creative and realistic- mix of high-likelihood and high-reward projects

Teaching statement

  • Describe your philosophy towards teaching and experiences that led to this
  • Discuss courses within the core curriculum that you could teach
  • Propose development of a new course

What to emphasize in your application?

  • Find out about the department/school
    • Importance of teaching vs. research
    • Areas of interest/growth
  • May want to customize your application materials for different positions
  • Brag about your successes (within reason)!

What makes an application stand out?

  • Varies between departments/institutions
  • Strong publication record
    • Most important factor!
  • Exciting research plan
    • Creative and innovative while also feasible
  • Great reference letters
    • Evidence of innovation, creativity, hard work, etc.
  • Interesting and innovative teaching plans
    • Highlight your experiences and capabilities
  • Other experiences
    • Experience writing a grant, etc.
  • Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty
    • Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • At the Helm: A Laboratory Navigator
    • Kathy Barker, Cold Spring Harbor Press

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Source:  OpenStax, 2009 nsf advance workshop: negotiating the ideal faculty position. OpenStax CNX. Feb 24, 2010 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11185/1.1
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