The Academic Job Search - Perspectives from a Department Chair and an Assistant Professor

Keri HornbuckleProfessor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of Iowa

David CwiertnyAssistant Professor

Chemical and Environmental Engineering University of California, Riverside

Topics we’ll (try to) touch upon• Resources for finding positions• When to start your search • Components of “typical” application and attributes that

are absolutely necessary for getting an interview • What makes a “successful candidate” • Preparing for the interview: Doing your homework• The interview process: What to expect• How to communicate with the dept during the process • How the decision is made: the importance of “fit” • Negotiating an offer• I’ve got the job, now what?

A bit about my application experience

• Ph.D. in October, 2005• Completed Post-doc July, 2007• Started as Faculty September, 2007• Applied for faculty positions– 2004-2005 cycle: 1 interview– 2005-2006 cycle: 1 interview– 2006-2007 cycle: 4 interviews

• In total, applied for ~35 positions

General rules for the process• Spend time on your application

– It will need time to evolve and grow• Seek help, ask questions, and then ask some more• Stay organized and aware of opportunities• Know what you are looking in a future institution

– Research vs. teaching, size, location• Quality of life matters

– You MUST be happy• Be patient

– Finding the right place takes time• Don’t take things personally

– There’s a lot to this process• It can be frustrating at times, but it is worth it

Getting Started on Your Job Search Resources: • AEESP (website and email listserv)• Chronicles Higher Education• C&E News• University Websites

When to start looking: • Jobs posted typically in Fall• Most deadlines for applications (Nov 15-Jan. 15)• Common Questions:

- What if I’m not exactly what the announcement describes?- How important is the deadline, anyway?

What makes a strong candidate

• Track-record– Publications

• Work with your advisor here

– Post-doc • Very common (although there are exceptions)• Chance to diversify skills, get mentoring experience, get

manuscripts published

• Nevertheless, apply early and often– You never know….– Experience, experience, experience

Putting your application together: Key components

• Cover Letter• Research statement • Teaching statement • Resume/CV • References

An Effective Cover Letter

• Should:– Provide a good introduction• Education (degree, institution, and advisor)• Research training (what can you do?)• Future research focus (what will you do?)

• Shouldn’t:– Be more than two pages (1 page best)– Have the wrong institution!!!

Future Research Statement

• Should:– Provide a brief summary of past research (introduce skills)– Contain a central theme for your future lab group– Describe two /three specific projects you will do

• Problem to be addressed• Approach and Experimental Tools• Expected outcomes• Funding agencies

– Include university specific information: • Collaborators and centers

– Target a general audience

• Shouldn’t:– Be 20 pages!– Overly ambitious/shotgun blast approach– A simple extension of your Ph.D. work

Teaching Statement• Should:

– Include your teaching philosophy– Discuss training in this area you may have (e.g., TA)– List general topic areas you are most comfortably with– Provide ideas for courses already on the books that you

could teach– Example of a course you would develop– Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to fill

departmental needs

• Shouldn’t– Be more than a page or so

CV and References• CV should include:

– Contact information– Educational training– Professional experience– Honors/Awards– Publications

• Including “In Review” and “In Prep”– Presentations– Laboratory expertise– Professional memberships/service

• References– Typically 3-5

An absolute must!

• Seek out assistance whenever possible– Request examples from successful applicants– Have your advisor read and critique your

research statement

The Interview

• One (maybe two) days• Talks: – one or two (separate future research)

• Meetings with faculty– particularly search committee members

• Meetings with students – ask for this to gauge your future group

• Meeting with Dean (usually)• Meals: be ready to eat!

The Job Talk

• Clear presentation of research to date• Do NOT go long!!!!• Really emphasize your future work– Hypothesis– Objectives– Tasks to reach a goal– Outcomes– Funding– Collaborators

Interaction with Faculty/Search Committee

• Come prepared– Do your homework (webpage, an article)

• Anticipate certain questions– What funding agencies?– Where do you see yourself in 5 y/10 y? – First project for grad students?– How will you be different from your advisor?– Think about questions specific to the institution

• Know what to ask– I have a list of generic conversation starters– Avoid being overly aggressive – Don’t be afraid to show some personality

Some other Do’s and Don’ts on interview

• Do ask to see space (office and lab)• Don’t talk specifics ($$) on start-up • Don’t talk specifics about classes /teaching• Do make clear intention for start date

Communicating with Department after the Interview

• Follow up with a thank you– Send email to all you meet with– Mail letter to search chair

• Keep them updated on your status• Don’t be afraid to email chair and ask for

update

How the decision is made

• “Fit” is huge• Consensus is hard

• Chemical vs. Environmental vs. Dean

Negotiating an Offer

• Make your wish list• Don’t be afraid to ask for more – Now you have leverage, so negotiate

• Be willing to compromise• Want to include:– Money for instruments– Money for students (1 for 2 years, etc.)– Travel– Summer salary– Teaching relief (1 semester/quarter)

I’ve got the job, now what?

• Take a deep breath and savor• Trust your instincts (you’ve come this far….)• Tie up as many loose ends as possible• Start coordinating your arrival– Office furniture, lab availability– Collect quotes on instrumentation– Look at funding opportunities