1. Academic Job Search: A Practical Primer Lynn M. Schnapp, MD Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine 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 Relevant professional societies Collaborators/colleagues

7. Initial Contact Cover letter – Summary of what you’ve done, and what type of position you’re interested – Less than one page CV Research and/or teaching plan statement References

9. 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 – Don’t duplicate education/positions Explain any gaps Honors/Awards Grant Funding (yours, not your PI’s) Invited presentations/talks

10. Curriculum Vitae Publications – Number – Bold your name – Indicate name change – Indicate co-first authors – Separate sections for submitted, in preparation, reviews – Separate section for abstracts – Keep up-to-date

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

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

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

14. 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. The First Date Prepare and Practice your Job Talk – Simplify Present your research so that anyone can understand – Discuss future research directions at end One-on-one interviews – Do your homework, ask questions

16. 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

18. 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?

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

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

21. 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?

22. 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

23. 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?

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

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

26. Justify Start-up Needs

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

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

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

30. Additional questions Housing Assistance Tuition Benefits Parking Benefit package

31. 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

32. A bad deal can be worse than no deal

34. 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 Obtain University ID, email address Submit IRB/Animal protocols Animal transfer

35. Minimize downtime Apply for medical license Minimize initial clinical or teaching responsibilities Finish manuscripts or grant submissions

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

37. Resources Association of American Medical Colleges – www.aamc.org www.aamc.org NIH – www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/advice.html www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/advice.html American Society for Cell Biology – www.ascb.org www.ascb.org Clinical Jobs: Medical Economics – www.memag.com/findingajob www.memag.com/findingajob