Navigating the U.S. Academic Job Search

Jennifer Kong, PhD

Valerie Tornini, PhD

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Prepared for Leading Edge and made publicly accessible

Overview

• Very first steps - am I “ready”?
• What do I want?
• What is out there? How do I find it?
• Overview of the job application components
• How to read a job posting
• Organizing yourself and strategizing
• Standing out in your application materials
• Other considerations

First steps - am I ready?

Yes!

First steps - am I ready?

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Things to think about:

1. I have a clear vision now

Balance between publications/preprints/ideas and creative promise.

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• Embrace failure and apply over multiple years �It’s painful, but you can apply over multiple years. Your application typically gets stronger your second year. �First year = Dream positions. “If they say yes, I say yes.” Balance time applying vs. time publishing, etc. Your paper(s) may not be fully out yet.�Second year = Apply more broadly. �
• Delaying your start is an option

If you do get a job and still don’t feel like you are ready, as part of your negotiation you can delay your start or sometimes even defer to the next year.

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• Personal circumstances

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What do I want?

What is out there? How do I find it?

Postdoc-related Slack spaces!

One example: FuturePISlack (to join, check here)

Join FuturePI or similar workspaces.

• #jobsearch or related channels!

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• Crowd-sourced spreadsheet with open positions and status updates (through FuturePISlack)

What is out there? How do I find it?

Institutional or department websites

What is out there? How do I find it?

Nature Careers �website

Specify your region

Automated alerts! an

What is out there? How do I find it?

Twitter

(still useful as of July 2023)

Search �“job alert + professor”

Just use your network

Job application components

How to read a job posting

Type of Institution

Department

Tenure-track (Assistant Prof)

Yay?

Translation: Broad search

If possible, get your application in at the beginning of a rolling deadline.

Possible fit

How to read a job posting (cont)

Components of the application: �1. Cover Letter�2. CV (include teaching experience)�3. Research Statement (2 pages!)

4. Diversity Statement (upload under other???)

3 Reference Letters�(just provide contact�Information – make sure your letter writers respond to emails)

Contact information if you have any issues with the application

Hard deadline: September 1st!�But, it’s rolling, so submit earlier if possible.

Job application timeline

Organizing yourself and strategizing

Organizing yourself and strategizing

• Make stock statements (1, 2, 3 page versions, etc.)

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• Mostly rework cover letter

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• You can justify your fit, though generally, your vision is your vision. No need to tailor-fit and rewrite everything to each search.

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• Be OK with evolving versions of your documents.

Standing out in your application materials

• Get your face out there by presenting your work at meetings - virtual, invited department seminars, society/network talks, invite yourself, etc.
• Justify your specific fit and strengths.
• Make your CV your own. Keep to a needed structure, but also highlight anything and everything that counts as work & contributions to science for you.
• Vision. What is your big, overarching, important question? Why are you uniquely the one to tackle them? Who are you? How will you help us? How will we help you?
• Cartoons and diagrams really help. Less words and breathing room on your documents can be more impactful. Think bigger and broader. Demonstrate your range. Always write for the reader.
• Use your cover letter strategically. Succinctly demonstrate your range here, too, and refer to your specific documents when briefly highlighting a point.
• Maybe: Make a personal website, even if it’s simple. At the very least, Google Scholar. Be findable!

Letters of recommendation

• Different letters needed for different types of institutions or positions
• Help them help you! Google sheets, Interfolio, or other tools to let them know: what kind of letter, address to whom, due dates, due date reminders, status, what do you want them to emphasize, etc. Do not be afraid to loop back often if the letters are not submitted yet very close to a due date.
• Probably, they’ll have one generic letter for you. If you need a specific targeted letter, ask.
• Do letter writers have to be postdoc/PhD advisors? No! If there is any reason why they would not be letter writers, ask one of your other letter writers to (tactfully and briefly) state and/or describe why not if they are familiar with your situation.
• Ask letter writers to add in anything that doesn’t quite fit into your application. (ex: co-wrote major lab grants, built up a new system in the lab from scratch, etc.)
• Great resource: “Approaches to address bias in letters of recommendation” (Chang, Munson & Termini 2023)

Additional resources

• Peer networks!
• “Making the Right Moves” PDF from HHMI/Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• Workshopping your research vision
• Diversity statement purpose/guidlines & sample rubric
• Writing a teaching statement (by Colleen McLinn, PhD)

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This is a non-exhaustive list.