PDCO: Academic Job Search Series - Online Course

Goal
The goal of this course is to support the success of postdoctoral fellows pursuit of an academic position as a new faculty member.

Using the Course
We recommend reviewing the Overview module and Finding the Right Fit module to provide a good foundation before you start preparing your job search documents. It is highly recommended to start writing your research statement in late spring or early summer if you are applying for a research intensive position. This is the most critical document and the one that requires the most effort and reviews by mentors and colleagues. If you are applying for a teaching intensive position, then the teaching statement should take priority.

If you are interested in predominately teaching positions, I suggest reviewing the Teaching Academy Module at the end of the course. For these positions, your research statement should address how you will incorporate students into the classroom and would focus on different grant strategies than a research statement for a R1 institution. Similarly, the teaching statement for a R1 institution is not as critical as it is for a teaching heavy position.

The research statement module contains examples of successful research statements in addition to tips on how to write an effective research statement.

You can then begin preparing your CV, diversity statement, and teaching statement. All of the modules include examples and additional resources if you feel you need more knowledge. The cover letter can be written when you are actively applying to jobs and each cover letter should be tailored to the institution and job announcement.

The interview workshop and job negotiation workshops can wait until early winter, after all your applications are submitted.