Path to Professorship

Jin-Yi Yu

Department of Earth System Science

University of California, Irvine

researcher

grad / postdoc

Yu A B C E F

NCAR Summer School

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reputation / publication research area

No need for more climate dynamics faculty

reputation / publication funding timing

Apply Everywhere

天時

地利

人和

No matter where No matter what research area

Publication reputation

Funding Application package

interview

What to Build Up before the Application?

• Publication

• Reputation

• Funding

What to Build Up before the Application?

• Publication (quantity; 1st authorship; quality)

[co-author; working in big group or with big project]

• Reputation (famous papers; reference; conference presentation)

[maintain a good relationship with advisor/supervisor]

• Funding (try everywhere; evidence for independent research) [build up network; get to know the funding managers]

Application Package

• Cover Letter • CV (publication record, funding, everything)

• Research and Teaching statements • Reference Letters

Make sure they are EASY to read!!!

Cover Letter

• The cover letter allows you to introduce yourself and provide a context for your CV.

• It's a chance to emphasize certain elements of your CV, show connections between

your abilities and the position advertised.

• It should include a brief description of why you are interested in this particular job

and why you think the search committee should be interested in you for this

specific job.

• When possible, address your cover letter to a particular person, usually the head of

the search committee or the chair of the department to which you're applying.

• The first paragraph explains why you are writing and where you learned of the

position. Make sure to specify the position that you are interested in.

• The body of the letter will contain a summary of your research experience, and your

teaching experience, depending on the job description.

• Finally, end with information about how you can be contacted. Reiterate your

phone and/or email address. State that you are available for an interview.

Curriculum Vitae

• A Curriculum Vita is a cumulative record of

professional achievements, academic preparation, and

qualifications in your discipline.

• It includes primarily research and teaching, as well as

papers, presentations, awards, and professional

contributions.

• Get some sample CVs.

• Make the CV easy to read

Research Statement

• A research statement should emphasize the

trajectory of your recent and future research.

• A good research statement explains why your

current project is important and demonstrates

that your future research will follow logically

from what you have done, and that it will be

different, important, and innovative.

Teaching Statement

• It's important to learn how to highlight the teaching you've already done, talk about your pedagogical preferences, and suggest potential courses you'd teach.

• The existing grad/undergrad courses that you can teach.

• The new grad/undergrad courses that your plan to develop for the department.

search committee reads all applications

produce a long list

call reference letters

produce a short list

call you to set up an interview date

interview

decision

negotiate the offer

submit your application before deadline

join the department

How to Prepare for the Interview?

(http://postdoc.unl.edu/documents/interview_acad_job.pdf)

• Do your research about the department (visit the department website).

• Pay attention to the names and specializations of faculty members, learn

about the degree requirements, courses taught, types of students, etc.

• Practice your talk with your colleagues/friends.

• Make sure you have spell checked all of your material.

• Don't say anything negative about any school (especially your own) or about

anyone.

• Always sound enthusiastic, but don't appear cocky, too eager, or desperate.

What to do Before You Interview Questions to Ask on the Phone When They Invite You for a Campus Visit Types of Questions to Expect During Interviews Questions to Ask During the Campus Visit

What to Wear for the Interview?

?

Interview Procedure

• Day 1: Talk to department faculty

Lunch with graduate students

Seminar

dinner with faculty members

• Day 2: Talk to department faculty

lunch with faculty members

Roundtable discussion

Tour campus

dinner with faculty members

How to Prepare Your Talk

• Don’t try to squeeze everything (all your work)

into your talk.

• Tell an interesting and focused story.

• If it is an interdisciplinary department, make sure

you give a good introduction of your subject at the

beginning of the talk.

• Make sure you have spell checked all of your material.

How to Talk to Faculty Members

• Show interests in their research subjects

• Prepare a few questions to ask

• Don't talk too much; let them talk too.

• Explore possible collaborations

• Don’t fall to sleep!

search committee read all application

produce a long list

call reference letters

produce a short list

call you to set up an interview date

interview

decision

negotiate the offer

submit your application before deadline

join the department

Afterward ……

• Negotiating the Offer

• teaching, writing paper and proposal…

• The Tenure Process

• Beginning of a Stressful Life…..