g'wan, git a job! mda postdoctoral assoc. careers & mentoring "ii"

G'wan, git a job!

MDA Postdoctoral Assoc.Careers & Mentoring "II"

Session II (19 May 09, 1200-1300h)

Session II (19 May 09, 1200-1300h)1. What are MD Anderson faculty searches looking for:

then & now?


then & now?2. What are "lesser" institutions looking for in their

faculty?



faculty?3. Domestic versus international applicants - does one

have an advantage?




have an advantage?4. Alternatives in an academic setting:





Service Laboratory Director





Service Laboratory DirectorResearch Scientist

MDA Faculty Searches: Then


1988: Peace in Afghanistan, peace in Iraq, Bush wins election, and Bobby McFarrin tells us to "Don't worry, be happy"



Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke



Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke USA native, lived 1/2 CA desert, 1/2 Chicago suburbs



Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke USA native, lived 1/2 CA desert, 1/2 Chicago suburbs Public schooling



Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke USA native, lived 1/2 CA desert, 1/2 Chicago suburbs Public schooling BA/BA Chemistry/Physics, Monmouth College, 1976



Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke USA native, lived 1/2 CA desert, 1/2 Chicago suburbs Public schooling BA/BA Chemistry/Physics, Monmouth College, 1976 PhD Organic Chemistry, Caltech, 1984



Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke USA native, lived 1/2 CA desert, 1/2 Chicago suburbs Public schooling BA/BA Chemistry/Physics, Monmouth College, 1976 PhD Organic Chemistry, Caltech, 1984 Postdoc, Roeder lab, Rockefeller U, 1984-8


Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke Pubs: 10, 9 1st author, 2 CNS


Case study (1): Michael Van Dyke Pubs: 10, 9 1st author, 2 CNS Grants: 2 (fellowships), 0 active



Applied 20+ academic institutions, 2 pharma



Applied 20+ academic institutions, 2 pharma Academic: RU/VH (universities & med schools); Midwest, Southeast, Southwest



Applied 20+ academic institutions, 2 pharma Academic: RU/VH (universities & med schools); Midwest, Southeast, Southwest Pharma: Small & large; Midwest & NJ



Applied 20+ academic institutions, 2 pharma Academic: RU/VH (universities & med schools); Midwest, Southeast, Southwest Pharma: Small & large; Midwest & NJ Interviews: 7+2



Applied 20+ academic institutions, 2 pharma Academic: RU/VH (universities & med schools); Midwest, Southeast, Southwest Pharma: Small & large; Midwest & NJ Interviews: 7+2 Offers: 4+2



Applied 20+ academic institutions, 2 pharma Academic: RU/VH (universities & med schools); Midwest, Southeast, Southwest Pharma: Small & large; Midwest & NJ Interviews: 7+2 Offers: 4+2 Chose: MD Anderson (+'s: 100% salary, 0% teaching; -'s: no tenure)

MDA Faculty Searches: Now


2008: No peace in Afghanistan, no peace in Iraq, a Bush is still in office, and I was into Rihanna's "Disturbia"



Recent MCO hires (4):




Elsa Flores




Elsa FloresDos Sarbassov




Elsa FloresDos Sarbassov Hui-Kuan Lin




Elsa FloresDos Sarbassov Hui-Kuan Lin

Min-Gyu Lee


Recent MCO hires (4): USA (TX) native; int'ls from Kazakhstan, Taiwan & Korea


Recent MCO hires (4): USA (TX) native; int'ls from Kazakhstan, Taiwan & Korea BS/MS/military service = home country


Recent MCO hires (4): USA (TX) native; int'ls from Kazakhstan, Taiwan & Korea BS/MS/military service = home country PhD = USA (U WI-Madison, U AR Med, U Rochester, Johns-Hopkins U Med)


Recent MCO hires (4): USA (TX) native; int'ls from Kazakhstan, Taiwan & Korea BS/MS/military service = home country PhD = USA (U WI-Madison, U AR Med, U Rochester, Johns-Hopkins U Med) Postdoc = MIT, Whitehead, MSKCC, Wistar (top labs!), 5-7 yr. None junior faculty.



Pubs: 10-23, 6-8 1st author, 1-4 CNS



Pubs: 10-23, 6-8 1st author, 1-4 CNS Grants: 0-7 (fellowships), 0 active


Why did you come here?


Why did you come here? "Colleagues and start-up package. For me, the top reason was being able to have enough money to do the experiments that I wanted for the first few years. Since mouse work is costly, I needed to find a place where they were willing to invest enough money in me to get my program going. I also found senior faculty here to be supportive. This is really important. I interviewed at places where I felt that the senior faculty were mean (for lack of a better word) and inappropriate (asking invasive personal questions at the interview)."


Why did you come here? "The decision was made based on the strength of our department (Molecular and Cellular Oncology)! Second – location (family friendly environment/affordable/no long commutes). Start-up package – the M. D. Anderson Trust Fellow start up package is the top package."


Why did you come here? "My research focus is on cancer research. The reason why I choose here is because the MD Anderson Cancer Center is an excellent place for Cancer Research, which is close to my research area. The start-up package is also an important criteria for me."


Why did you come here? "My research focus is on cancer research. The reason why I choose here is because the MD Anderson Cancer Center is an excellent place for Cancer Research, which is close to my research area. The start-up package is also an important criteria for me." "I have wanted to link my study about histone modifications to cancer research such as signaling events. I thought that MDACC is a excellent place for that. Colleagues have been friendly, and a good start up package was promised."


Why do you think they chose you? "Hmmm. This one is tough. I think it was good luck. You definitely have to do interesting work and be productive. When it comes down to it, I think I clicked with several faculty here, especially my chairman. I think in the end it comes down to whether the people interviewing you think you will be a good colleague. Postdocs looking for a job have to remember that all of the candidates interviewed are highly qualified, so I think it is important to show the people that are interviewing you that you will be a good colleague."


Why do you think they chose you? "I believe it is the level of research. Our institution invests intensively to advance in basic research."


Why do you think they chose you? "I believe it is the level of research. Our institution invests intensively to advance in basic research." "My research area is related to what the MD Anderson/Department likes to emphasizes and the scientific accomplishments."


Why do you think they chose you? "I believe it is the level of research. Our institution invests intensively to advance in basic research." "My research area is related to what the MD Anderson/Department likes to emphasizes and the scientific accomplishments." "I do not know this. Maybe, my publication record."


Why other possibilities did you explore? "I only explored the Academic option. I interviewed at big hospitals, like MDACC and Sloan Kettering, and Universities, like Princeton and Brown. After visiting these places, it was very clear that a big hospital would be best for me because of what I wanted to do. I interviewed at about 20 places. It was an exhausting process. In retrospect, I don’t think that I would go to so many interviews."


Why other possibilities did you explore? "I explored the industrial and academic careers. In my previous work at the Whitehead Institute, we have defined the novel and attractive cancer drug target. I knocked the doors of several pharmaceutical companies. I got the highly attractive job offers but there was no direct interest of the pharmaceutical companies to work on the drug target I proposed. After that I focused only in an academic job search to pursue basic research. "


Why other possibilities did you explore? "I only applied for the academic positions and also explores other prestigious schools."


Why other possibilities did you explore? "I only applied for the academic positions and also explores other prestigious schools." "I had some experience in a pharmaceutical company for a few years and realized that I like a academic place."


What are some of the best things about your job?


What are some of the best things about your job? "Freedom and resources to explore the research that interests me."


What are some of the best things about your job? "Freedom and resources to explore the research that interests me." "Academic freedom to work on your own research projects."


What are some of the best things about your job? "Freedom and resources to explore the research that interests me." "Academic freedom to work on your own research projects." "Although becoming an independent PI has much more pleasures, I can explore any ideas I want and am able to recruit students, to teach in the class, and to serve a student advisory/examination committee to help students for their scientific development."


What are some of the best things about your job? "Freedom and resources to explore the research that interests me." "Academic freedom to work on your own research projects." "Although becoming an independent PI has much more pleasures, I can explore any ideas I want and am able to recruit students, to teach in the class, and to serve a student advisory/examination committee to help students for their scientific development." "I can focus on research with less teaching."


Is there anything you would like to change?


Is there anything you would like to change? "I wish that it hadn’t been so hard to get started. It is a slow process (hiring people, getting equipment, supplies, etc). If I could change one thing, I wish that my department had more Administrative support for junior faculty. I often feel that I am drowning in paperwork with very little help. Things have gotten better as I have become more experienced, but the first 2 years were really tough."


Is there anything you would like to change? "Just missing the real winters with a lot of snow and deep frosts."


Is there anything you would like to change? "Just missing the real winters with a lot of snow and deep frosts." "Improving the writing skill and strategies for grant applications such as RO1."


Is there anything you would like to change? "Just missing the real winters with a lot of snow and deep frosts." "Improving the writing skill and strategies for grant applications such as RO1." "I hope that the MDACC economic situation would be getting better soon."


Any advice for today's students/postdocs? "You have to love what you do. It is hard work and you face a lot of rejection in this career. At the end of the day, you have to be passionate about what you are doing. B. Find someone or several people that you admire ( role models) at different stages in their careers and talk to them about your career plan. It is great to get advice from people that are successful."


Any advice for today's students/postdocs? "Science is not just competitive it is a highly competitive area. It is your time, and do not waste it, focus to deliver the high impact science, the job you prefer will follow you."


Any advice for today's students/postdocs? "Science is not just competitive it is a highly competitive area. It is your time, and do not waste it, focus to deliver the high impact science, the job you prefer will follow you." "Focus on the important questions that are relevant in your field."


Any advice for today's students/postdocs? "Science is not just competitive it is a highly competitive area. It is your time, and do not waste it, focus to deliver the high impact science, the job you prefer will follow you." "Focus on the important questions that are relevant in your field." "It looks like that not only your CV but also network are important for getting a job."

Other Faculty Searches: Now


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there?


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there? MDA trainees (4):



Véronique Lefebvre



Ratna Vadlamudi

Véronique Lefebvre



Ratna Vadlamudi

Véronique Lefebvre

Shao-Chun Wang



Ratna Vadlamudi

Véronique Lefebvre

Shao-Chun Wang

Chunhong Yan


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there? MDA trainees (4): Int'ls from Belgium, India, Taiwan & China


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there? MDA trainees (4): Int'ls from Belgium, India, Taiwan & China BS/MS/military service = home country


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there? MDA trainees (4): Int'ls from Belgium, India, Taiwan & China BS/MS/military service = home country PhD = USA (U WY, U MN), Int'l (U Louvain, Peking Union Med)


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there? MDA trainees (4): Int'ls from Belgium, India, Taiwan & China BS/MS/military service = home country PhD = USA (U WY, U MN), Int'l (U Louvain, Peking Union Med) Postdoc = MDA (top labs?), 4-7 yr.


How have recent MDA postdocs/junior faculty done in job searches out there? MDA trainees (4): Int'ls from Belgium, India, Taiwan & China BS/MS/military service = home country PhD = USA (U WY, U MN), Int'l (U Louvain, Peking Union Med) Postdoc = MDA (top labs?), 4-7 yr. Junior faculty = MDA, 3-7 yr.


MDA trainees (4): Pubs: 9-38, 6-22 1st author, 0-3 CNS


MDA trainees (4): Pubs: 9-38, 6-22 1st author, 0-3 CNS Grants: 2-6 (fellowships & grants), 1-2 active



Where did they go?



Where did they go? Véronique Lefebvre: Cleveland Clinic, Cell Biology



Where did they go? Véronique Lefebvre: Cleveland Clinic, Cell Biology Ratna Vadlamudi: UTHSC-San Antonio, Ob/Gyn - Reproductive Research



Where did they go? Véronique Lefebvre: Cleveland Clinic, Cell Biology Ratna Vadlamudi: UTHSC-San Antonio, Ob/Gyn - Reproductive Research Shao-Chun Wang: U Cincinnati Med, Cancer & Cell Biology



Where did they go? Véronique Lefebvre: Cleveland Clinic, Cell Biology Ratna Vadlamudi: UTHSC-San Antonio, Ob/Gyn - Reproductive Research Shao-Chun Wang: U Cincinnati Med, Cancer & Cell Biology Chunhong Yan: Albany Med, Cell Biology & Cancer Res.


Why did you go there?


Why did you go there? "The expertise and collegiality of colleagues at the institution as well as in the immediate environment in Cleveland. The availability of strong support from core facilities and administration. The possibility of recruiting excellent graduate students from several universities affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic and excellent technicians from the area. The limited amount of teaching responsibilities. A strong start-up package and excellent benefit package. The quality of life in Cleveland."


Why did you go there? "Location, and startup package played as major role in choosing my institute. Location to some extent is due to the preferences of my spouse. Start up package played a major role as I believe is the key for success of the new PI."


Why did you go there? "Location, and startup package played as major role in choosing my institute. Location to some extent is due to the preferences of my spouse. Start up package played a major role as I believe is the key for success of the new PI." "The research environment, including the Department, the colleagues, as well as the institutional enthusiasm for research, and the start-up package are the major factors to me."


Why did you go there? "Location, and startup package played as major role in choosing my institute. Location to some extent is due to the preferences of my spouse. Start up package played a major role as I believe is the key for success of the new PI." "The research environment, including the Department, the colleagues, as well as the institutional enthusiasm for research, and the start-up package are the major factors to me." "Academic environment, location, and start-up package were all important for the decision making."


Why did they pick you?


Why did they pick you? "My scientific expertise and publication record. My personal profile."


Why did they pick you? "My scientific expertise and publication record. My personal profile." "Having high impact papers (Nature, Cancer cell etc) and having a funded grant."


Why did they pick you? "My scientific expertise and publication record. My personal profile." "Having high impact papers (Nature, Cancer cell etc) and having a funded grant." "Maybe it is the compatibility between my study interest and the research program. It is important that you are not the only one working on the topic."


Why did they pick you? "My scientific expertise and publication record. My personal profile." "Having high impact papers (Nature, Cancer cell etc) and having a funded grant." "Maybe it is the compatibility between my study interest and the research program. It is important that you are not the only one working on the topic." "I think the most important reason was that I received a New Investigator Award from DoD."


What other choices did you explore?


What other choices did you explore? "I only looked for academic institutions. I selected the Cleveland Clinic among several other excellent offers."


What other choices did you explore? "I only looked for academic institutions. I selected the Cleveland Clinic among several other excellent offers." "I primarily focused on academic job search. Applied for 40 positions, got interviews for 10."


What other choices did you explore? "I only looked for academic institutions. I selected the Cleveland Clinic among several other excellent offers." "I primarily focused on academic job search. Applied for 40 positions, got interviews for 10." "I considered some opportunities from the industrial sector when my first child arrived (which motivated me a lot). I later decided that I was not ready to make the move. However, I do think that industry would be a good direction to develop a scientific career."


What other choices did you explore? "I only looked for academic institutions. I selected the Cleveland Clinic among several other excellent offers." "I primarily focused on academic job search. Applied for 40 positions, got interviews for 10." "I considered some opportunities from the industrial sector when my first child arrived (which motivated me a lot). I later decided that I was not ready to make the move. However, I do think that industry would be a good direction to develop a scientific career." "I just tried to find positions in academic."


What's great about your present position?


What's great about your present position? "The expertise and collegiality of colleagues at the institution as well as in the immediate environment in Cleveland. The availability of strong support from core facilities and administration. The possibility of recruiting excellent graduate students from several universities affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic and excellent technicians from the area. The limited amount of teaching responsibilities. An excellent benefit package. The quality of life in Cleveland."


What's great about your present position? "Being in a institution that supports graduate students and post doc training and an institute that supports internal grants, as these programs help to recruit talented students and fellows into My research program and support new research during first few years into the research program."


What's great about your present position? "Being in a institution that supports graduate students and post doc training and an institute that supports internal grants, as these programs help to recruit talented students and fellows into My research program and support new research during first few years into the research program." "The research environment is great with a lot of support from the Department, and the colleagues. You can find collaborators or expertise in the area. Teaching duty is light compared with many other universities."


Is there anything you would like to change?


Is there anything you would like to change? "The Cleveland Clinic does not provide tenure to Faculty. Obtaining tenure would be good."


Is there anything you would like to change? "The Cleveland Clinic does not provide tenure to Faculty. Obtaining tenure would be good." "I think that I started writing grant little bit late in my career. I submitted my first grant application 4 years after receiving my PHD. If I have to do it again, I would start applying for research grants after first year of post doc training."


Is there anything you would like to change? "The Cleveland Clinic does not provide tenure to Faculty. Obtaining tenure would be good." "I think that I started writing grant little bit late in my career. I submitted my first grant application 4 years after receiving my PHD. If I have to do it again, I would start applying for research grants after first year of post doc training." "Yes, I miss the Chinese food and Chinese markets in Houston. I wish this would be changed in the foreseeable future."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty?


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "Excel in your postdoctoral work by being both technically productive and scientifically and personally responsible. This is the only way to have receive job offers that you like and to succeed in your career, whichever your plans are."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "Excel in your postdoctoral work by being both technically productive and scientifically and personally responsible. This is the only way to have receive job offers that you like and to succeed in your career, whichever your plans are." "Start writing grants from early post doc years. Attend seminars given by professionals about writing successful grants. I believe grant writing skill is the key for success of academic researcher."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "In addition to doing expts, post docs need to learn financial management of lab and participate in writing first draft of their own papers. It would be beneficial if they volunteer to participate in managing PI’s lab, as it will help them when they establish their new labs."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "In addition to doing expts, post docs need to learn financial management of lab and participate in writing first draft of their own papers. It would be beneficial if they volunteer to participate in managing PI’s lab, as it will help them when they establish their new labs." "Networking is also very important. Try to make few faculty as friends in addition to their post doc mentor and seek their advice regarding the grantable areas for research, career moves etc."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "Do not stay more than 5 years as post doc with the same mentor and try to identify an area that is different from your mentor research focus and start generating preliminary after consulting with their mentor (during 4th and 5th year) and try to establish your independent lab during 6th -7th year."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "Do not stay more than 5 years as post doc with the same mentor and try to identify an area that is different from your mentor research focus and start generating preliminary after consulting with their mentor (during 4th and 5th year) and try to establish your independent lab during 6th -7th year." "Read and collect info about the available grant agencies and make an excel sheet of all the grant agencies and deadlines etc."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "Do not stay more than 5 years as post doc with the same mentor and try to identify an area that is different from your mentor research focus and start generating preliminary after consulting with their mentor (during 4th and 5th year) and try to establish your independent lab during 6th -7th year." "Read and collect info about the available grant agencies and make an excel sheet of all the grant agencies and deadlines etc." "MDA is great place to get trained in cancer research."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "(1) Seek advices from your mentors, colleagues and peers. These people know you better and would be more likely to offer specific suggestions for you. (2) Do your homework to understand the research scope, investigators, graduate programs, and strengths of the institutions you are interested in. (3) Be grateful to your mentor, who has made so much effort in guiding you and shaping your career."


Any advice for current students/postdocs/jr. faculty? "(1) Seek advices from your mentors, colleagues and peers. These people know you better and would be more likely to offer specific suggestions for you. (2) Do your homework to understand the research scope, investigators, graduate programs, and strengths of the institutions you are interested in. (3) Be grateful to your mentor, who has made so much effort in guiding you and shaping your career." "I would like to say that grantmanship is crucial for career success. So learn to write grants/felllowships."

Domestic vs International Applicants

Domestic vs International ApplicantsIs there a big difference in the success rate of domestic versus international academic applicants?

Domestic vs International ApplicantsIs there a big difference in the success rate of domestic versus international academic applicants? "No - look at all the examples so far."

Domestic vs International ApplicantsIs there a big difference in the success rate of domestic versus international academic applicants? "No - look at all the examples so far." Really? For all possible academic jobs?

Domestic vs International ApplicantsIs there a big difference in the success rate of domestic versus international academic applicants? "No - look at all the examples so far." Really? For all possible academic jobs? "OK, for some academic positions where teaching is a primary responsibility, the ability to speak clearly and write well can be factors in the selection process. These might be limitations for some international applicants, but not insurmountable ones."

Alternatives in an Academic Setting

Alternatives in an Academic SettingWhat about other possibilities in an academic setting - Research Scientists or Core Director?

Alternatives in an Academic SettingWhat about other possibilities in an academic setting - Research Scientists or Core Director? "Unfortunately, I did not obtain sufficient case studies to make for a worthwhile discussion."

Alternatives in an Academic SettingWhat about other possibilities in an academic setting - Research Scientists or Core Director? "Unfortunately, I did not obtain sufficient case studies to make for a worthwhile discussion. Plus, what time is it anyway? Haven't we been at this long enough."

Alternatives in an Academic SettingWhat about other possibilities in an academic setting - Research Scientists or Core Director? "Unfortunately, I did not obtain sufficient case studies to make for a worthwhile discussion. Plus, what time is it anyway? Haven't we been at this long enough."

G'wan, git back to work!

g'wan, git a job! mda postdoctoral assoc. careers & mentoring "ii"

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