BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
12
MAY
2014
Movingon fromYour
PostdocPosition:Negotiating
theTransition
TheEarlyCareersCommittee hosted a panel at
the 58
th
AnnualMeeting inSanFrancisco, Cali-
fornia, todiscuss negotiating the transition from
postdoctoral training to a faculty position. The
panel consistedof
SethRobia
, LoyolaUniversity
Chicago,
Stuart Campbell
, YaleUniversity,
Ravi
Balijepalli
,University ofWisconsinSchool of
Medicine andPublicHealth, and
Marcos Soto-
mayor
,OhioStateUniversity.Below are some
highlights from the session.
Q:
Academic searches are sometimes very
specific and sometimes quiteopen. How
do I know if Iwill be considered for a
position?
If the job search specifically covers an area that
is not your specialty, donot apply. If you find
an ideal position, you should contact the search
committee todiscuss the specific job requirements.
Itmaynot be clear from the postingwhether you
wouldbe a good fit, so make an effort to findout
how yourworkwould fit into current research at
the institute. Tailor your application to address
specifically eachposition forwhich you apply.
Q:
How longdoes it take toprepare the
documents toapply for theacademic po-
sition?How longdoes thewholeapplica-
tionprocess take?
Composing your initial portfolio takes time, so
start this process early. Most searches have ap-
plicationdeadlines at the endof the summer, so
itwouldbe best to start applicationpreparations
at the beginning of the summer. It is critical to
have your PI andothermentorswhohave beenon
search committees review your applicationbefore
you submit. Their feedbackwill help you decide
what jobswouldbest suit your experience andwill
allow you tohone your applicationswhen you are
ready to apply. After composing your initial port-
folio, tailoring it for subsequent positionopenings
is easier. First interviewswill typically take place
at the endof the year, however, there are some
searches that open throughout the year. Usually,
the hiring process takes 6-8months fromwhen an
institution identifies candidates towhen itmakes a
final decision.
Q:
Having just completed theprocess, do
youhaveanyadvice to thosebeginning
tomake the transition?
The applicationpacket usually consists of a cover
letter, CV, research statement, and a teaching and/
ormentoring philosophy.Use the cover letter to
explainhow your research is exactlywhat they
are looking for. Showhow your unique perspec-
tivewould complement the existing faculty in
amanner that alsodistinguishes you from your
advisors. YourCV shouldbe easy to read andup-
to-date.Make sure the research statement focuses
on the big picture and the biological significance
of your research. Avoid just listing the techniques
youknow—you are not applying for a technician
position. Independent teaching experience is not
necessary, but your teaching philosophy is impor-
tant.
The “chalk talk,” or oral exam, is an important
part of each interview. This provides the commit-
teewith the chance tounderstand yourwork and
its potential. Most committees are simply looking
for someonewho can enhance the institute’s cur-
rent research initiatives. It is important tohave a
positive attitude on interviews, presenting yourself
as both a valuable asset and someonewithwhom
theywill want towork.
Q:
Howdo I differentiatemywork from
theworkofmyPI?
Thoughdifficult, it is important that you are
doingwork that is independent from thework
of your PI. If you seek an academic position, you
need to establish this independence from your
PI early, inorder to sell your independence later.
Ideally, this discussion should start as soon as pos-
Careers
