Applying, Interviewing, and Transitioning into an Academic Job (Part 1) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Chemistry professors share their experiences and insights on navigating the academic job application process and offer advice for success.

Key Insights

• 🈸 Early preparation and seeking feedback are crucial for success in the academic job application process.
• 👨‍🔬 Utilizing resources like job boards, blogs, and spreadsheets can streamline the search for positions.
• 👨‍🔬 Tailoring application documents, research proposals, and presentations to specific institutions is essential.
• 💦 Balancing work responsibilities and application preparation requires effective time management.
• 🥺 Honesty and openness about the two-body problem can lead to positive responses from institutions.
• 👨‍🔬 Researching the institutions and faculty members beforehand shows genuine interest and preparedness.
• 💪 Practice and concise answers for phone and Skype interviews can make a strong impression.

Transcript

i'm renee from tear i'm a professor in the chemistry department at the university of minnesota i went to undergrad at carleton college which is also in minnesota i was a chinese major and a chemistry major i went to grad school at uc berkeley and i worked for richard matthews doing ultra-fast raman spectroscopy i did my postdoc at northwestern univ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the process like for preparing research proposals during the job application?

Professors emphasized the need for early preparation and thoughtful consideration of research topics. They advised seeking feedback from colleagues and mentors to refine proposals and ensure a strong application.

Q: How did you handle the time constraints while applying for multiple positions?

Professors highlighted the importance of time management and balancing work responsibilities with application preparation. They recommend starting early, utilizing resources like job boards and blogs, and practicing concise and well-prepared answers for phone and Skype interviews.

Q: How did you approach interviews and on-site visits?

Professors emphasized the need to research the institutions and faculty members beforehand and come prepared with questions. They advised tailoring presentations to a general audience, being concise yet detailed, and engaging in scientific conversations during faculty meetings.

Q: How did you address the challenge of a two-body problem while applying for academic jobs?

Professors spoke about their experiences with the two-body problem and the positive response they received from institutions. They emphasized honesty and openness about the situation and found that many universities were supportive and excited about the opportunity to hire two candidates simultaneously.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chemistry professors from various universities share their educational backgrounds and career paths, including their undergraduate and graduate studies.

• They discuss the process of applying for academic positions, including preparing research proposals, application documents, and interviewing techniques.

• Professors emphasize the importance of early preparation, seeking feedback from others, and being knowledgeable about the institutions you are applying to.