1. Applying for an Academic Job: Nuts and Bolts Jeff Foster

2. 2 Where to Apply? Three kinds of institutions –UniversitiesResearch and Teaching –CollegesTeaching –Research LabsResearch Teaching/research distinction not clear cut –Split up to you and department Same application process –Research labs more flexible on timing

3. 3 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

4. 4 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

5. 5 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

6. 6 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 Do a good job on these statements –Prove you know how to communicate

7. 7 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!

8. 8 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

9. 9 Time Line OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay Application deadline Mail (or e-mail) packets Ask for references Interviews Don't plan on doing anything but interview in the spring

10. 10 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

11. 11 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

12. 12 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

13. 13 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

14. 14 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

15. 15 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?"

16. 16 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

17. 17 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

18. 18 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

19. 19 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

20. 20 Resources http://www.cra.orgJob announcements, link to NRC rankings, Taulbee survey http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~margo/slides/jobs.ps.gz Talk by Margo Seltzer (this talk heavily cribbed from her talk!) http://pag.lcs.mit.edu/~mernst/advice/academic-job.html Advice from Michael Ernst http://www.cs.cornell.edu/sweirich/jobsearch/resources.htm Page of useful links/experiences