Your work needs to stand out from among hundreds o

1
Getting a Basic Science Academic Job
2
How to get a job in academics?

• Get a portfolio of accomplishments
• Work Hard!
• Ask a Significant Question
• Make a Significant Contribution
• Your work needs to stand out from among hundreds
  of applications.
• More good experiments Careful thought More
  Papers

3
When should you start looking for a job in
academics?

• When you are ready!
• - having published scholarly work (CV)
• - have a plan/vision of what you want to do in
  the future
• - have support/recommendation from mentors

4

• The key elements in your CV that will be
  instrumental in getting you a job
• For research position, most important papers!
• Can help Presentation in conferences
• Teaching
• Mentoring experience
• Funding (getting a fellowship/grant)

5

• How many papers?
• It really depends..
• How important is the journal I publish in?
• Short hand for what really matters esteem
• Major works in scholarly journals still get jobs.
  Some search committees will surely put weight on
  the reputation of the journal

6

• Should I teach?
• Not Necessarily.
• Its a big tax on your time.
• Most schools will view your seminar as a teaching
  audition.
• But, if you have a small college in mind

7

• Should I Network?
• Yes!
• Dont be bashful.
• Get to know the faculty in your department.
• Take opportunities to present (seriously).
• Go to national meetings,
• When You Have Something To Say

8

• Should I have a grant?
• not necessarily!
• Of course it could help
• But. do you really want to be in a place that
  hires you only if you have a grant?

9

• When should I start looking?
• When you have a good story.
• There is no formula for number of pages, age,
• horoscope, length of postdoc, etc.
• Can you project continued success a trajectory!
• Discuss timing with your advisor

10

• The application process
• Timing
• Discuss with advisor
• Network with friends
• Follow all the adds
• Apply broadly but not absurdly
• Be prepared for many rejections

11
The Written Application

• 1. Cover Letter.
• 2. CV
• 3. Research interests (accomplishments and future
  plans)
• 4. Names of references

12
The Written Application

• 1. The Cover Letter.
• Keep it short!
• Three Five sentences that define
• Who you are
• What you are applying for
• Why you fit.

13
The Written Application

• The Resume
• Where you trained
• What the projects were
• Publications
• Society Memberships
• Honors
• Teaching Experience
• Leave our the personal hobbies, family,
  upbringing

14

• Real-Doer, A., Abigproff, I., and Deadwood, I.
  (1994) Derivative and uninteresting observation
  on a much studied protein. Biochim. Biophys.
  Acta 1345 492-493.
• Lowe, I.Q., Abigproff, I., and Deadwood, I.
  (1997) Similar dull observations on a different
  species. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1555 994-996.

• Real-Doer, A., Abigproff, I., and Deadwood, I.
  (1994) Derivative and uninteresting observation
  on a much studied protein. Biochim. Biophys.
  Acta 1345 492-493.
• Lowe, I.Q., Abigproff, I., and Deadwood, I.
  (1997) Similar dull observations on a different
  species. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1555 994-996.

• Real-Doer, A., Abigproff, I., and Deadwood, I.
  (1994) Derivative and uninteresting observation
  on a much studied protein. Biochim. Biophys.
  Acta 1345 492-493.
• Lowe, I.Q., Abigproff, I., and Deadwood, I.
  (1997) Similar dull observations on a different
  species. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1555 994-996.

15
The Written Application

• The Research Interests
• VISION! VISION! VISION!
• Funnel-shaped introduction
• Make clear the significance of your work
• Make clear the big picture for the future
• As well as the practical short term
• They are hiring you for 40 years, dont short
  change the big picture and situate what you have
  done in this context

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The Written Application

• Dont short change your accomplishments but be
  a little graceful about it.
• Show it to profs, friends, colleagues, for
  comment.
• 1/3 to introduce your major interest and give
  context.
• 1/3 past accomplishments emphasis on more recent
  past
• 1/3 short and long term future goals.

17

• References
• Most schools want 3 or 4
• Talk to them first are they willing to support
  you?
• Ph.D and postdoc advisor are naturals, but
• Widely known people are useful, but so are
  specifics.
• A lukewarm rec from Prof. Bigschott, who hardly
  knows you, isnt good for much.
• Extra recommenders?
• Papers, reprints. Send them to refs. Send them
  with applicants. Call on your behalf? Not normal.
  Can help. With legit. Personal connection it can
  help, but a good letter suffices