ACADEMIC JOB MARKET BOOTCAMP
Moderated by Dr. Ariane Helou (Scientific Writing Specialist, Beckman Institute)
Applying for academic jobs is a high-stakes, high-stress and often bewildering process, but a little preparation and information can help it all go more smoothly. Beckman Institute is offering a workshop for postdocs and advanced grad students who are going on the job market this year. The focus will be on preparing written application materials, but the workshops will cover multiple aspects of the academic job search process.
Space is limited; because the workshop includes one-on-one writing consultation, it is capped at 15 participants. The workshop will convene in person, and masks are required regardless of vaccination status.
Priority for enrollment will be given to those who are applying for assistant professorships that begin in 2022-23, and to BI/BBE affiliates. If space allows, those who are applying for postdoctoral fellowships for 2022-23 are also welcome to join. In addition, we can accommodate up to 20 auditors, who are welcome to attend the sessions as observers but won’t be able to receive feedback on their written materials from the workshop moderator. All sessions will be held in the Beckman Institute Auditorium. To join the workshop as either a participant or an auditor, please contact ariane@caltech.edu.
SESSION 1 – PUTTING YOURSELF ON THE MARKET
Monday, September 13, 3:00-5:00pm
How do you format a CV? Do you need a personal website? What’s the deal with academia.edu? How do you find these academic positions in the first place, and what happens after you send in your application?
SESSION 2 – WHAT DO YOU DO?
Tuesday, September 14, 3:00-5:00pm
Your cover letter and research statement provide the fullest picture of your scholarship. How do you
communicate your contributions and the value of your work to search committee members, especially if they are in a different field or subfield?
SESSION 3 – GETTING PHILOSOPHICAL
Monday, September 20, 3:00-5:00pm
This session will cover two important but often misunderstood components of the academic job application: the statement of teaching philosophy and the statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
SESSION 4 – THE INTERVIEW
Tuesday, September 21, 3:00-5:00pm
In our final session, we’ll talk about the face-to-face – or screen-to-screen – elements of the job search
process: the preliminary interview, the job talk (research presentation), and the campus visit.