Interviewing for a Faculty Position: The Dos and Don'ts

Transcription

1 Interviewing for a Faculty Position: The Dos and Don'ts Margarita L. Dubocovich, PhD Professor and Chair Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology School of Medicine and Behavioral Science University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York Professor Emerita Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry Northwestern University Chicago, Illinois 60611

2 Resources Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientifıc Management for Postdocs and New Faculty Burroughs Wellcome Fund Howard Hughes Medical Institute [You make download the book or ask for a free copy to be sent to you]

3 Outline How can you prepare and sell yourself? How is a search run? What happens before and during the interview? How do you negotiate the job offer?

4 Starting a Job Search: Challenging Questions What do I want and need from my job? How do I go about finding a job? How can I ensure that my achievements and capabilities will be recognized? How will I choose among the offers I receive? How can I ensure that the resources I need to launch my career are included in the job package?

5 Knowing What You Want Preferences top rated institution less intense atmosphere research, combination research and teaching, clinical practice a particular area of the country urban, rural, suburban location Personal responsibilities spouse s or partner s professional needs desire to see patients if you are physician scientist time to devote to research versus clinical practice

6 Learning What Is Out There Job announcement letters sent to your department Announcements in major scientific journals (Cell, Science, Nature and in publications devoted to your subspecialty) Web sites of academic institutions Employment bulletins by professional associations Mail list servers for postdoctoral fellows Informal sources

7 Narrowing Your Search Measure each job opportunity against your list of priorities Find out about institution s mission, values, political / social climate, quality (e.g., national or regional ranking) Department s mission, research activities, curriculum, collegial atmosphere Parameters and expectations of the position, tenure track Faculty policies on parental leave and tenure clock extension Don t apply for a job that you are clearly not qualified for or that really does not interest you. You don t want to waste people s time and perhaps damage your own credibility.

8 THE JOB APPLICATION Making a Good First Impression Application is likely to be one of hundreds application Be concise and free of factual, grammatical, and spelling errors Get your application in on time While a nicely prepared application will obviously not get you a job, a poorly prepared one makes a bad impression no matter how many papers you have published. Johannes Walter, Harvard Medical

9 Components of a Job Application Cover letter C.V. Names of references Research Statement Teaching Statement Reprints

10 Components of a Job Application The cover letter (Should be limited to one page) Extremely important and should be written with great care. Provide quick but informative picture of your background and interests relevant to job Include Brief self introduction Specify position for which you are applying State your research accomplishments, novelty and significance of research Brief description of your research plans what is important or creative Brief description of your teaching (or clinical) experience, if require by position Any special circumstances you believe the committee should know about up front

11 The Curriculum Vitae This career summary should contain: Your name and address All higher education, with degrees obtained and dates All professional positions held, with dates and brief descriptions of work performed Awards and honors, including pre and postdoctoral fellowships Major sources of independent funding Publications Teaching experience, awards, and interests References, including names, titles, and addresses and other contact information Invited keynotes and presentations Board certifications and eligibility for physician scientists

12 The Research Proposal Many successful applicants write two (or possibly three) research proposals Include the following items in your proposals: Statement about the problem you intend to work on, key you will tackle. State how this research is expected to contribute to your general area. A description of your research plans: three or four specific aims and background A few figures (perhaps one per proposal). A detailed description of your postdoctoral research. Make clear to the search committee that the work you are taking with you will not be in direct competition with your postdoc adviser. References that includes your publications and manuscripts submitted or in press, as well as pertinent publications by others. Reprints. Send along any important papers that are not yet published; otherwise, the committee will not have access to them. Statement of teaching if appropriate. If the job has a teaching component, add a separate section describing your interest in and approach to teaching.

13 Doctorate adviser Post doc adviser(s) References People who can write with substance and make comparative statements [anticipate this need now network] Provide c.v., research statement, reprints, etc.

14 Question: What if I don t get along with my adviser? Answer: If you do not have a good relationship with your adviser and cannot ask for a letter of recommendation, make sure you explain why in your cover letter. Be completely candid about the situation. Not having a recommendation from your adviser is a red flag to the search committee and will not be ignored. The committee may even contact your adviser anyway. A letter from another faculty member from the same institution may be critical in this case.

15 How is a search run? Funding for the position Search Committee (chair, members) Reviews of candidates Request for references Selection of short list (3 6 candidates) Extend invitations for first visit (phone, e mail) Preparation for first visit (seminar title, travel arrangements, hotel, etc) List of people you like to meet Itinerary before your arrival, seminar announcement

16 DEPARTMENT INVITATION

17 Preparing for the Interview Prepare your job talk Read about the department/program/faculty Read about their resources, grad programs, funding programs, etc. Read latest paper by faculty, especially interviewers, dinner people, chair. Keep aware of time Job talk Lunch with trainees (ask if not offered) Faculty outside dept (ask if not offered) Dinner /lunch with committee Dress appropriately

18 Breakfast with search committee chair One on ones with faculty Bilateral interview Engage their science This is for life Keep aware of time Job talk The Interview Day 1 Lunch with trainees (ask if not offered) Faculty outside dept (ask if not offered) Dinner/lunch with committee

19 When you re talking to the faculty, it s important to appear interested in everybody s work. You don t have to be an expert on the topic. If you know something about it, it s good to chime in with a suggestion or a question. If you re clueless, it s fine to say, This is really fascinating, but could you give me a bit more background? It s also very important to give a dynamite seminar so that the people who didn t get a chance to meet with you privately will have a chance to hear about your work, how you express yourself, and what kind of a context you put your research in. Thomas Cech, HHMI

20 Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse and Rehearse Tailor to the audience and search Biology and question paramount Overview to start summary before future plans Good intro Finish with future plans The Job Talk Substance Listen to questions repeat or ask for clarification are you asking?

21 Some fraction of the audience is always asleep during any talk, no matter how exciting the subject. Find a few people who are listening attentively and give your talk to them. Johannes Walter, Harvard Medical School

22 The Interview Day 2 Breakfast with faculty Dean? More of all sorts Chalk talk Exit interview Dinner (2 nd or 3 rd ) Fly out Crash

23 We always ask the administrative assistant how she was treated by the candidate, both on the phone prior to the visit and during the visit. This is always very illuminating. I think candidates need to pay attention to how they treat the staff. Ann Brown, Duke University School of Medicine

24 SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT FIRST VISIT ITINERARY

25 Exit interview Ask if don t already know: Space (should have seen it) Teaching Start up (official plus other in house) Training programs (how run and how access) Tenure system Leave for now if not offered: Salary Benefits Spouse/partner

26 CANDIDATE EVALUATION

27 Second Visit Information Gathering ASK to meet/see: Cores Grad program directors Chair of possible secondary appointments Other assistant professors Internal awards Access to students? Tenure clock and requirements Honor promises? Long honeymoon? Who pays for what? Esprit?] Other chairs All the rules of first interview still apply: Know whom you re meeting Prepare for them and ENGAGE

28 SECOND VISIT ITINERARY

29 Second Visit Start of Negotiation NOW, the partner, kids, housing, salary, benefits Ask to meet with housing office, benefits office Short and long term teaching, space, tenure Be clear: we are definitely interested in making you an offer I am definitely interested in coming I definitely want to come Mean what you say! Be honest.. Be direct

30 The Offer Letter Informal offer first, often Formal provisional next Formal can take a while Get it in writing and in detail: Space Start up Salary and benefits Tenure Teaching

31 Space Where (room numbers)? Shared/exclusive? When ready to occupy? What renovations needed? Who pays for these? Common space policy and access? Future needs?

32 Start up money What can come out of it? When must it be spent by? What happens to balance? What comes out of it/ what not? Equipment Your 9 month salary Your summer salary Administrative assistance Glassware washing Phone, mail, photocopying Other Sources of Funds What and how are students paid (years 1 6)? Internal funds for students, post docs, research? State monies? Local awards for junior faculty?

33 Salary and Benefits Salary: 9 vrs 12 month Summer salary Base salary (on which benefits are determined) Benefits (esp. housing, childcare, retirement, pre tax plans, tuition, moving expenses, parental leave) Percent off grants expected vs. guaranteed Policy if cover more than this percent Sabbatical (how much, how often, who pays)

34 Negotiating Key Points You are worth it! Quality comes at a price. You may be negotiating with Dean, not Chair or Provost! Counter offer with reasonable argument Confirm all conversations by Thanks, I just want to confirm please confirm that I understood correctly

35 Negotiating Key Points Your power drops 99% the second you sign. A little trust and instinct ok after due diligence. Negotiate in good faith. Use other offers to negotiate where you really want to go (but don t waste time of others) Say no to others when appropriate (when have a signed offer letter from # 2 or 3 choice) If you could change one thing

36 It is important to start thinking about the tenure process at the point of interviewing and negotiating for the right job. Ask what the rate of tenure is for the junior faculty at the institutions you are considering, what the general process is, pitfalls, and so on. Remember that the purpose of being an assistant professor is to become an associate professor, so make sure you educate yourself about what to expect before you make your choice. Matthew Redinbo, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

37 How to Get Tenure Do great science: Focus, focus, focus Understand local expectations Establish a portfolio of funding so never dry Think strategically (1st renewal should not be reviewed just before end of tenure clock) Establish independence from your old PI Nail an award or two Don t rush to fill space but don t wait for God s gift to science either Collaborate with locals (faster, easier and build allies)

38 How to Get Tenure Develop local mentors and use them Establish an identity nationally and beyond Use your time wisely but travel is often worth it Some committees are actually useful Thesis committees are not committees! Find the right mix of quality and quantity in your publications Mentor responsibly Keep teaching evaluations and careful track of teaching/committee work Use the interim (three year) review wisely