1. Lessons from Reality TV: Negotiating for an Academic Position Lynn M. Schnapp, MD University of Washington

2. My Journey

3. Fear Factor When is it time to move on? No clear guidelines/time limit Fear of disappointing mentors – Career choice, deserting mentor Mentor’s role – Help you make an informed decision

4. Why? Independence from mentor New research directions Better package (always!) – Stronger bargaining position Increase professional contacts – Letters of recommendation, promotion “Genetic diversity” Sense of empowerment New adventures!

5. How to get to be “The Apprentice” You’re Hired!

6. Finding a position Advertisements in professional journals – Many positions are not advertised Contacts initiated by mentor/chief Letters to Division Chiefs Cover letter CV – (Keep track of your activities)

7. Academic CV Name, degree, address (no SSN, no DOB) – What is your answering machine message? Education (nothing earlier than college) – Degrees and dates Professional positions – Postdoc, Research Assistant Academics don’t want description of work, or skill sets Explain any gaps Honors/Awards Grant Funding (yours, not your PI’s)

8. Cover Letter Summary of what you’ve done, and what type of position you’re interested Less than one page

9. Curriculum Vitae Invited presentations/talks Publications – Number – Bold your name – Indicate name change – Indicate co-first authors – Separate sections for submtted, in preparation, reviews – Separate section for abstracts

10. CV-optional headings Teaching/Mentoring – TA, undergrad (can summarize) Service/leadership Clinical certification References – Inform references ahead of time

11. © The New Yorker Collection from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.

12. “Product Placement” Professional Society Meetings – Always try to submit an abstract – Great networking opportunity – Get involved with assembly, committees – Come prepared with preprints, CV

13. Is this the job for me? What is the job description? Does the job description mesh with your personal goals? – Clinical/research/teaching/administrative split?

15. Is this the job for me? Are the necessary resources present to succeed? Critical mass of researchers/mentors in your area? Can I live here? Can my spouse live here?

16. Define your needs Make a list of what you need Prioritize – What is a deal breaker? Everything is negotiable – If you don’t ask for it, you won’t get it

17. “You get what you negotiate, not what you deserve”

18. Do your homework Divisional/Departmental websites Pubmed search on key faculty – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ Identify NIH-funded research – NIH RePORTER (Research Porfolio Online Reporting Tools) projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm AAMC

19. It’s a Package Research environment Salary Clinical responsibility Lab set-up Start-up money Computing needs Technician Moving expenses Travel support Benefits Administrative support Personal issues What is your bottom line?

20. Salary Be prepared to ask for a specific salary – Don’t be ambushed State institutions-salary information is public (may not capture actual compensation) AAMC salary reports Colleagues, fellowship directors, chiefs, chairs Specialty organization database Advertisements

21. Rank/Track What will be your title? – Instructor, Assistant Faculty track – Can you switch tracks? Criteria for promotion – Tenure clock Divisional track record for faculty advancement?

22. Clinical Responsibilities Protected time-what does it mean? Minimize clinical responsibilities in 1st year Clinic? Additional teaching responsibilities? K grants requires 75% research time

23. Lab space Location, location, location Depends on core or shared facilities Common space for large equipment? Special needs Who assigns space?

24. Justify Start-up Needs

25. “Will my office be near a Diet Coke machine?” Office

26. Moving Expenses Pre-move visit for housing Home Laboratory Car? Relocation for research/laboratory members?

27. Added value Travel/meetings Journal subscriptions Professional Society Dues License Fees Recruiting Costs

28. Additional questions Housing Assistance Tuition Benefits Parking Benefit package

29. General Principles Get it in writing – Keep a copy of correspondence – Verify phone conversations with email Divisional AND Departmental support Make a decision – It’s not (necessarily) a lifetime commitment

30. A bad deal can be worse than no deal

31. Minimize downtime Set up budget number ahead of time Purchase major equipment prior to arrival Determine what you can take with you Consider purchase of depreciated equipment Minimize initial clinical or teaching responsibilities Finish manuscripts or grant submissions

32. Transfer K grants Identify a mentor at new institution Contact NIH program officer ahead of time Administrative review (no additonal peer review) No transfer in the last 6 months of award

33. Protect your time

34. Resources www.aamc.org Job Search Advice: NIH Virtual Career Center – http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/a dvice.html http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/a dvice.html Strategies for the Successful Job Hunt – http://www.ascb.org/index.php?option=com_conte nt&view=article&id=29&Itemid=36 http://www.ascb.org/index.php?option=com_conte nt&view=article&id=29&Itemid=36 Finding a Clinical Job – http://www.memag.com/findingajob http://www.memag.com/findingajob