Tips and Tricks for U.S. Academic Job Applications

Staff Scientists Diana Roman and Lara Wagner, both former professors, led a workshop for 22 postdocs on how to best prepare a job application.  In attendance were former professor and current staff scientist Peter van Keken and staff scientist Steve Shirey, who also offered advice. 

What's in an academic application?

A U.S. application package typically includes:

• Cover Letter

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Publication List

• Teaching and Research Statements

Key Takeaways

• Convey excitement in your cover letter and your research statement; what do you do, and why is it important?

• Let the committee reviewing your application know what you have done. What have your contributions or ideas been? 

• What is your research plan? Self-cite as much as you can. 

• Do your homework/research the institution to which you are applying. 

• Your CV should start with education (reverse chronological order), research and teaching service/statements, and publications (again in reverse chronological order).

• Do not list "in review" papers; papers listed must be published, in the press, or accepted.

• Have an "ORCID" ID number, which gets people to your publications

• Google yourself to see what comes up, then build a place to hang your hat online. Get a website to host key details about you and your research. 

• Highlight your awards, even if within your own department. 

• US applications do not include date of birth/age/photo/gender/marital status/children. (In fact, any interview question that asks a candidate to reveal information about their national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disabilities, arrest record, military discharges, or personal information is a violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.)

• Add Index number if it is a source of pride.

• If you require a certain piece of equipment to do your research, mention it in the interview, not in your research statement when applying for a position

• Show that you are willing to teach; that you care; that you can cover a specific need; how you will take the load off of the faculty.  

• If a diversity statement is required, visit this link for help. 

• Before your interview, set up practice job talks for upcoming interviews. 

• Roman, Wagner, and other scientific staff members are available to offer you guidance and to review your applications prior to submission.