Preparing%20for%20the%20Job%20Search

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Preparing for the Job Search

• Writing an Effective Research Statement
• ----
• Science and Engineering

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When do you need aResearch Statement?

• It is usually requested as part of the job
  application process.
• Even if it is not requested, you may choose to
  include it to strengthen your application.

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From a position announcement for a Postdoc

• Send CV, brief description of research and
  teaching interests, and names and addresses of
  three references to

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From a position announcement for an Assistant
Professor

• Applicants should send a detailed curriculum
  vitae, a statement of their interest in teaching
  and planned research and the names of at least
  three references.

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From a position announcement for an Assistant
Professor

• Applicants should submit a letter of application,
  a curriculum vita, a statement of research plan
  and teaching interests, and a list of at least
  three references to

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From a position announcement for an Assistant
Professor

• Application packet must include 1) curriculum
  vita, including a list of publications, 2)
  complete set of official transcripts, 3)
  statement of teaching experience, interests and
  philosophy, 4) statement of research interests
  and plans, and 5) at least three letters of
  reference.

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From a position announcement for a Tenure-Track
Professor

• Applicants should include in their response a
  clear statement of their teaching and research
  interests, a curriculum vitae summarizing their
  educational and professional backgrounds together
  with a list of published works, and the names of
  at least four persons who may be contacted
  regarding the candidate's qualifications

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Purpose of Research Statementor Research Summary

• It is expected that you will have begun to think
  coherently about research beyond your
  dissertation.
• The research statement tells
• what you have been doing recently and currently,
• in what direction you hope to go,
• how your research contributes to your field.
• Along with your c.v., cover letter and letters of
  recommendation, it helps hiring committees assess
  your
• areas of specialty,
• potential to get grants,
• academic ability,
• compatibility with the department or school.

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Write so that you

• Give a context for your research interests
• Why does it matter?
• Communicate a sense that your research will
  follow logically from what you have done and that
  it will be different, important, and innovative

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Parts of the Research Statement

• A "Research Summary" combines features of both
  the statement of achievements and current work,
  and the proposal for upcoming research because it
  includes current aims and findings AND future
  goals.

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Future Goals or Research Plans

• Include
• Major problem(s) you wish to attack.
• The problems relevance to the field.
• Your specific goals for a 3-5 year period,
  including potential outcomes.
• If you know what a particular funding agency
  funds, you can name the agency and briefly
  outline a proposal. This might convince the
  reader that you are on the way to getting a
  project funded.
• At the same time, you should have research goals
  that have broad enough goals so that if one topic
  doesn't get funded there are other areas on which
  you can work.

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How to Make it Effective -- Format

• Use headings (and subheadings), bullets, and
  white space.
• Avoid page-long paragraphs.
• It should be1-2 pages long 3 pages at the most.
• Get feedback.
• Proofread!!!

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How to Make it Effective -- Content

• Write as clearly and concisely as you can.
• What excites you about your research? Sound
  fresh.
• Where appropriate, acknowledge the work of
  others.
• Use language that shows youve begun to think of
  yourself as an independent researcher
• If you've identified funding organizations likely
  to support your research plans, indicate that.

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Preparing for the Interview

• Consider preparing a longer version (5-15 pages)
  to bring along to the on site interview. Check
  with your advisor to see if this is necessary.
• Candidates may be asked to describe research
  plans and budget in detail at the campus
  interview. Be prepared.
• Include laboratory needs (how much budget you
  need for equipment, how many grad assistants
  needed, etc.) to start up the research.

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Research Proposal

• For candidates who are more senior
• Future Goals becomes an expanded Specific Aims
  page as required for grant application
• Includes several sections, including an abstract,
  a scientific justification, observations (unless
  the subject is more theoretical in nature, in
  which case the proposed simulation or modeling is
  discussed), any historical research/findings that
  are significant to the study and a conclusion.

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StatementSummaryProposal. Whats the difference?

• The three terms are often used interchangeably.
• The statement and summary are quite similar in
  that they focus on current research.
• Depending on the position requirements you may
  want to say more about what you have done in a
  research statement or summary than in a research
  proposal.

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Sample Research Statements

• Look at those of students/postdocs on the job
  market.
• Surf the web to find statements.
• Keep in mind that everyones will be different.

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• Sample Statement of Research Interests p.1.
• Candidates Name
• Current Research
• Active Control of Rotorcraft Vibration
• I am currently working with Boeing Helicopters to
  develop advanced control techniques for control
  of rotorcraft vibration, so that the vibration
  typically experienced by helicopters can be
  significantly reduced. My advisor Prof. XYZ and
  his former doctoral students developed the
  X-frame actuator for those purposes, and I am
  working on the design and implementation of the
  advanced Higher Harmonic Control (HHC) algorithms
  using .be flight-tested in 2002.
• Active Control of Noise Radiated from Underwater
  Vehicles
• I have worked with Northrop Grumman Corp. and
  Materials Systems Inc. to develop new technology
  for the reduction of radiated noise from
  vibrating underwater vehicles using smart
  structures technologies. This project has been
  funded by the Office of Naval Research, with an
  objective of developing smart underwater
  vehicle systems so that the enemy cannot detect
  The new sensing method is numerically validated
  on a thick-walled cylindrical shell with 55
  piezoelectric panels mounted.

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• Future Research Goals p. 2
• My future research goal is to develop
  intelligent structural systems, from the
  micro-scales (MEMS) to macro-scales (aerospace
  systems and underwater vehicles), which will For
  this research goal, I will focus on the following
  three research areas. First, I will carry out
  research on structure/fluid/control interaction
  phenomena will be critical design issues in
  those complex structural systems, both in micro-
  and macro- scales, so the fundamental
  understanding of the phenomena is very important
  to successful implementation of the
  structural/acoustic control algorithms. Second, I
  will extend my specialization in smart structures
  technologies to the development of advanced
  sensors and actuators for intelligent integrated
  within the systems will be critical in future
  areas of research. Finally, I will continue my
  research on advanced control and decision-making
  algorithms for noise and vibration reduction of
  complex structural systems

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Getting Help with Your Job Search

• Your advisor and other faculty
• Your scholarly/professional association
• Career Services (Suite 20, McNeil Building, 3718
  Locust Walk)
• Critiques of job hunting materials
• Confidential appointments on your career
• Workshops and speaker programs
• www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices
• E-mail distribution list of career information
  and position announcements
• ScienceCareers The Academic Scientists Toolkit
• http//sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_devel
  opment/previous_issues/articles/0000/the_academic_
  scientists_toolkit/