1. A CAREER in Computational and Data-Driven Chemistry
Johannes Hachmann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Graduate Program in Computational and Data-Enabled Science and Engineering
New York State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
NSF CISE CAREER Workshop, Alexandria (VA)
(8 April 2019)

2. About myself
grew up near Münster (North-West Germany, close to Netherlands)
1999–2003: University of Jena (Germany): undergraduate in Chemistry
2003–2004: University of Cambridge (UK): DiplChem (≈MSc) in Chemistry
2004–2009: Cornell University: MSc & PhD in Chemistry
2009–2014: Harvard University: Postdoc, Research Associate in Chemistry
since 2014: University at Buffalo: Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering

3. About myself Applications: Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Materials
grew up near Münster (North-West Germany, close to Netherlands)
1999–2003: University of Jena (Germany): undergraduate in Chemistry
2003–2004: University of Cambridge (UK): DiplChem (≈MSc) in Chemistry
2004–2009: Cornell University: MSc & PhD in Chemistry
2009–2014: Harvard University: Postdoc, Research Associate in Chemistry
since 2014: University at Buffalo: Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering
Applications: Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Materials
Tools: Computational and Data Science, Informatics

4. The White House Materials Genome Initiative

5. The White House Materials Genome Initiative

6. CAREER proposal

7. CAREER proposal: Scope
“Award is for 5 years. One needs to find the right scope – too ambitious vs. not ambitious enough, how did you pick the problem?”
tools and techniques for long-term research program
“instrument” (tools + techniques) with lasting utility
build foundations for next years
well-defined goals but in principle open ended
need for a science driver application

8. CAREER proposal: Research and Education
“Integration of research and education is a critical aspect of the proposal. How did you plan your education component as well as your plan to integrate this with your research component?”
educational needs for my own group due to emerging character of field (i.e., data science in chemistry/chemical engineering)
involvement in CDSE graduate program, several initiatives I had already launched
education sections fleshed out before research sections
many schools have existing programs to piggy-back on
large, integrated component of proposal, not just add-on!
reviewers recognize the difference

9. CAREER proposal: Mentor
“Did you have a mentor, how much did s/he help?”
yes, but limited utility for CAREER proposal (too far removed)
asked tenure-track friends for advice, criticism
“panel before the panel”

10. CAREER proposal: Deadlines
“The deadline is in July, when did you start?”
1st time around too late (mid-May, interrupted by conference season)
starting early is easier said than done – everything has deadlines…
2nd time right after rejection
fixed all criticism right away, used remainder of time to polish
work on project with startup funding
produce preliminary results for credibility

11. CAREER proposal: Examples
“Did you have some example projects if so how did you get them?”
yes, from friends and colleagues (alas not in the same area)
referee reports would have been more useful

12. CAREER proposal: The right directorate
“Did you talk to one or more NSF PDs, how did you pick the PD, how difficult was it finding the right match, did you switch the directorate/division/PD after the first or second declines?”
1st try: CHE, PD moved to ACI
2nd try: ACI (secondary: CHE, CBET, DMR, CDS&E)
thought cross-disciplinary character would be asset
instead opened me up to (off-topic) criticism
3rd try: ACI (secondary CHE)
careful communication with PDs beforehand

13. CAREER proposal: Reviews and feedback
“If your earlier attempts did not work, did the reviews help, how much weight did you give to these reviews, did you change problem or topic or area?”
mixed messages, some of criticism was frustrating
secondary divisions did not necessarily help
there was clearly the need to make my case better
disappointing 2nd attempt: fixed relatively minor criticism from 1st attempt, but evaluation became a good bit worse
typically not the same reviewers
stuck to my guns, no change in problem/topic/area, but I reframed the issue
made more compelling case for what I thought is important work

14. CAREER proposal: Proposal writing
“Talk about your proposal writing/preparation guidance with examples.”
approach proposal like legal argument
task: make compelling case for project
map out structure, logic, lines of arguments first, fill in details later
accessible language, engaging read
highlight key points to aid panel discussion
use program solicitation as guideline; make sure that it hits all the spots
get LOCs to demonstrate that you are connected, have support
pick your battles
you cannot hit every opportunity, but CAREER is an important one
better do fewer, high-quality proposals rather than many low-quality ones

15. CAREER proposal: Additional advice
“What additional advice, from your personal experience, would you give to PIs as they plan and write their CAREER proposals?”
make your mark, claim your stake!
write about what you want to be know for (e.g., when you go up for tenure)
think big picture (which is actually a lot of fun)!
CAREER is not your regular project proposal
don’t forget about concrete issues you will tackle
take part in panels to better understand decision making process
e.g., people take data management seriously
talk to your PD – it’s intimidating but can be really helpful
take education and integration with research seriously!
this is not just an afterthought!

17. Questions?