Applying for an Academic/Research

Job:

Nuts and Bolts

2

Where to Apply?

• Three kinds of institutions– Universities Research and Teaching– Colleges Teaching– Research Labs Research

• Teaching/research distinction not clear cut– Split up to you and department

• Same application process– Research labs more flexible on timing

3

Post-docs ?

• Great opportunity to beef up the CV– Try to do something new/different/somewhere else– Usually at major universities or research labs– Chance to do just research – no teaching

• How to find ?– May not be as well advertised

• Research labs websites, mailing lists (DBWorld)– Your advisor would be the best help– Might want to contact large groups directly

• Helps to network beforehand

4

Post-docs ?

• Application/interview process ?– More ad hoc – may not be a proper interview– Research labs may do both interviews

simultaneously• “Can’t offer a job, but interested in a post-

doc?”

• Some major named prestigious fellowships– E.g. Joe Raviv Memorial Fellowship (IBM)– Same preparation as applying to research labs

5

Who's Hiring?

• Best resource: http://www.cra.org– Also: ACM, IEEE, Chronicle of Higher Ed

• Ask around– Talk to your advisor– Network at conferences– Talk to other job-seekers

• When in doubt, apply!– Maybe they missed the ad deadline

6

What do They Want?

• Standard application package– Cover letter– Statement of Research– Statement of Teaching– Curriculum Vitae– Letters of Reference

• Sent by letter writers– Selected papers

• Often optional; send unless forbidden

• Also update your web page

7

Cover Letter

• Be brief and to the point (1/2 page)– Contact information– Research interests– Names of references

• Make sure to get name of department, recipient, and address correct– Use a template

8

Statements

• Don't look at other people's statements– Not helpful

• Relative importance of statements depends:– Universities and labs -- research– Colleges -- teaching

• Need to explain why you're moving from research• Be sure to TA some classes!

• Do a good job on these statements– Prove you know how to communicate

9

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• An academic resume– Contact info– Research interests– Education (incl. thesis title + brief description)– Honors and awards– Teaching experience– Work experience– Talks– Publications– References (contact information)– Citizenship (or on cover letter)

• Find one you like and copy format– But put in your information!

10

Letters of Reference

• Typically need 3-4 references– So in practice you need 4– At least one should talk about teaching

• Choose people who know you well...– ...and are well-known

• Give mailing addresses to references!– Print out set of mailing labels

11

Time Line

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Application deadline(moving earlier)

Mail(or e-mail)packets

Ask forreferences

Interviews

• Don't plan on doing anything but interview in the spring

12

Wait and Worry: Part 1

• Everyone should send acknowledgment– Keep a checklist; follow up on non-responses

• Make sure your letters get sent– Application may be ignored until a majority recv'd

• Phone calls and e-mails for interviews– Most people prefer to call– Typically faculty member in area– No contact from uninterested places

13

Interviews: Scheduling

• Typically scheduled when you receive call– May get calls/e-mails when you're already on the road

• Give up on optimal scheduling• Schedule top choices 1/3-1/2 through• Choose flights for your convenience• Schedule flights on same airline (frequent flyer)• Group geographically if possible• Take at least 1 day break between interviews• Prepare to lay out money and get reimbursed

14

Interviews: Process

• 1 or 2 day interviews• Format of typical day:

– Breakfast with host– Interviews with

• Faculty (incl. chair)• Dean• Graduate students

– Research talk– Lunch at faculty club with faculty and/or students– Dinner with faculty and/or students

15

Interviews: Research Talk

• Aim talk at general audience– Explain both the problem your solution– Technical material must interest in-area experts

• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse– Get feedback from people outside field– Try to anticipate questions

• Try to keep talk fresh

16

Interviews: One-on-one meetings

• Talk with people inside and out of field– Mix of specialties depends on department– Typically 30-45 minutes

• Always behind schedule– Major goals:

• Does this person do good work?• Can I work with this person for 30 years?

• Prepare with mock interviews• Ask questions

– Be prepared to run the interview

17

Interviews: Popular Questions

• "I missed your talk. Tell me about your research."

• "What will you do next?"• "What's the most important problem in

your field?"– "Why aren't you working on it?"

• "How will you fit into the department?"– "What classes can/will you teach?"

18

Interviews: Tips

• Interviews most interesting aspect of trip– Great opportunity to learn about other research

• Be enthusiastic• Don't make negative comments • Interview lasts all day

– Breakfast through end of dinner

• Dress appropriately– More important on east coast

• Don't worry about expenses

19

Wait and Worry: Part 2

• Offers come after interviews are over– May need to wait in line

• Waiting for offers is very stressful– Keep yourself busy– Rely on friends and family for support

• Long wait for nos– Until entire interview process finished

20

Offers

• Salary, start-up package, start date, and deadline– Salaries and start-up packages competitive

• Collude with fellow job-seekers• Ask if you need more resources

– Start date usually flexible– Deadline flexible, within reason

• Some schools have no deadline• Be courteous to other job-seekers

21

Features to Consider

• Quality of department• Reputation

– Affects graduate students

• Intellectual property (esp. for labs)• Teaching load (esp. for smaller schools)• Location

– Cost of living

• Benefits

22

Non-academic/Industry Jobs

• Many options– Software/IT industry (Google, Microsoft…)– Financial industry – Goldman Sachs etc (many PhDs go

there)– Consulting – McKinsey (ditto)

• Looking for different skills– No need for research/teaching statements– Recommendation letters may help

• Interview/application process differs greatly– Look at the company websites; talk to friends, colleagues– Go to the UMD Career Fair (Oct 2-3, 2007)– UMD Career Center

23

Resources

http://www.cra.org Job announcements, link to NRC rankings,

Taulbee survey

Talk by Margo Seltzer (this talk heavily cribbed from her talk!)

Advice from Michael Ernst

Page of useful links/experiences

UMD Career Center