Academic Job Search
Engage, publish, present
Boost your academic presence
Ready to make your mark in academia? Utilize these strategies to build lasting relationships, grow your network and boost your academic reputation. From publishing articles and presenting research to collaborating across disciplines and showcasing your achievements online, take proactive steps to elevate your academic journey.
- Build strong relationships with faculty and professionals at other universities
- Attend conferences and network or present your research
- Submit articles for publication and participate in peer reviews
- Write grants and pursue awards
- Volunteer on committees, collaborate with faculty across disciplines and participate in service activities
- Share your progress and accomplishments online
Writing research and teaching statements
Research statement
- Commonly requested for positions involving research, may depend on the discipline
- Structure:
- Summary: .75 pages
- Past research: 1.5 pages
- Current research: 1 page
- Future research: 1.5 pages
- Conclusion: two to four sentences
- Be realistic, outline in broad strokes a couple of projects that showcase the area you want to focus
- Think about the connection or impact of your research and its importance
- Include your past, present and current research projects and future interests
- Request feedback and advice from mentors
Teaching statement
- Commonly requested in teaching faculty positions
- Sometimes called teaching philosophy
- One to two pages
- Include your teaching aspirations, teaching experience, preferred learning theory and vision for teaching at the institution
- Discuss teaching methods you are familiar with (engaged learning environment, catering to all learning styles, etc.)
- Explain how you assess student learning outcomes in your courses
- Request feedback and advice from your mentors
Prepare for academic interviews
Make the most of your interview:
- Showcase your scholarly research and teaching experience
- Meet internal and external colleagues from the department and the institution’s administration
- Remember that you are being evaluated at all times, even during social events like meals and evening activities. Your campus interview begins the moment you are picked up from the airport
- Prepare a research presentation (job talk) and a sample lecture
Analyze the start up package
Before you accept a position, you’ll want to make sure you think about your start-up research package. Consider the following; the number of Postdocs/graduate students you'll need to fund, equipment needed for your research and what equipment is shared across campus.