The 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 6 research/teaching positions.
Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.
On June 7, 2023, the 2023 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 4 research/teaching positions.
Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This will be the first open thread.
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Oh s***, here we go again
ReplyDeleteJust throwing out some useful info I've come across:
ReplyDeleteVery detailed description of a successful applicant. Her field is biology, but many of the pointers seem generally helpful: https://www.mckinleylab.org/_files/ugd/73faf8_d0c08c91b9344859973cf6bba4fc4368.pdf
A couple of nice threads:
https://twitter.com/vbarber820/status/1667560307001110528?s=20
https://twitter.com/JasonKhoury1/status/1665461835364175874?s=20
https://twitter.com/JohnDSailer/status/1555621810149916673?s=20
https://twitter.com/GarciaLabMS/status/1623046103280103428?s=20
Super helpful. I have never seen a search committee member explaining their process of selection previously. Thank you.
DeleteI found Twitter to be very helpful last year. It takes some time to figure out what keywords to search for and scroll through 100s of Tweets, but there's some really good stuff to be found.
DeleteI was a successful candidate last year and thought I'd share something I underappreciated when applying/interviewing: fit. How well you fit a department is a key factor. When a posting says a department is interested in people in X area or with expertise in Y, they usually mean it. I didn't receive any interviews for positions where I did not do what they said they were searching for. All of my interviews were with places hiring people like me, and the position I accepted had a job description that aligned very well with my work. Many don't specify what they want but often have preferences behind the scenes, which sucks. I wouldn't say not to apply if you're interested in a school/geographical region, but know that if they say they want someone working on organic synthesis, for example, and you do anything outside of organic chemistry, you better be a rockstar in your area to have a chance at an interview.
ReplyDeleteI was also a successful candidate last year and agree wholeheartedly! I suspect that many of the candidates who apply to 50+ schools would be ~as successful applying to 20 that are great fits. Of course there are exceptions, but I get the feeling they are rare.
DeleteWhile I agree overall, often places that we feel are not-so-great-fits by reading their ads will invite you for interviews. This is because internally, you were a good fit for their requirements, which they didn't explicitly state in their ads. So, my suggestion is apply to as many places you can without losing sanity (note: personal experience from one job cycle that worked out).
ReplyDeleteThe priority date for the University of Buffalo jobs should be 10/1/23 not 11/1/23
ReplyDeleteAny reason the University of Utah job doesn't have a link? I poked around their website and couldn't find the posting there either.
ReplyDeleteAlso looks like the ACS jobs posting has expired too.
DeleteLink has been fixed
DeleteOn Washington University's comment, "Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis until [priority date]...", is this common practice even when not specified?
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience, if they don't specify a rolling basis then there's just one deadline. Not necessarily advantageous to submit early for most positions.
DeleteProbably fairly common. I'm a search chair this cycle and we have a normal priority date/deadline in the position posting which is still a way out. I am taking a quick look at applications as they come in and taking some quick notes about whether the application meets our basic qualifications and things like that. At least for my institute, there is no advantage in applying early because as long as the application meets basic requirements, it is going to be fully reviewed by the committee after the deadline.
DeleteI would recommend using the time available before the deadline to carefully proofread and tailor your application materials. We get some applications submitted early that have cover letters referring to other institutions or positions in other fields, research proposals well beyond the length limits, missing application components and so on. Depending on the issue, it might not be disqualifying, but that kind of stuff suggests low effort/interest in the specific position.
I see one position is requesting a startup budget in the cover letter. What is typical for an R1 institution? I've done some shopping for equipment/supplies but don't want to unintentionally lowball myself
ReplyDeleteUsually, it's to eliminate applicants from the start that are likely outside their budget range. I saw this for some R2s last year but not any R1s, since they tend to be better funded. Asking for that number upfront is worrisome to me. How much you might need is hard to estimate without knowing what resources they already have that can be shared. Does it specify equipment budget? Just startup budget? The latter would include personnel costs, your salary, relocation, etc. My package (for a biochem type of lab) was ~$500k for equipment and the total was a little under $2m. From people I've talked to, this is in the ballpark for R1s.
DeleteI've found a few PUI postings that are listed as a "full-time" faculty position but they don't specify where or not it is tenure-track. For example,
ReplyDeletehttps://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/details.cfm?JobCode=178530751&Title=Assistant%20Professor%20%2D%20Chemistry
Should I assume a position is NOT tenure track if they don't explicitly state it in the job listing?
I would email to ask. If they're expecting a research program, that's not typically a requirement of a VAP.
DeleteYou might look up their faculty handbook, usually that will say what types of positions the institution has. It could also be a continuing type of appointment, but maybe the institution doesn't have tenure. Or it could be an oversight in the ad, it does also say they're starting review of applications October 1, 2023 for an August 1, 2023 start date.
DeleteThis is as good as a time of any to note that "full-time" positions do not count as "tenure-track" and are therefore not eligible for the list.
DeleteWhen looking at positions, I will do a word search for the word "tenure" in the ad, and if it does not have it, I will then follow up with a search for the name of the institution followed by the word "tenure", and it typically will reveal if the institution has tenure for the faculty. I will then look for the faculty handbook for the institution. If none of these reveal a tenure-system for promotion at the university, the position will not be included.
Has anyone gotten the sense that there are fewer candidates on the market this year? I've heard from a couple schools that they are getting way fewer applications than expected.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and seeing application deadlines extended already this year reaffirms this... But I think it is also fair to say, at least for domestic trainees, that it is difficult to financially justify the grind necessary to get the job that (at the very least at the beginning-to-intermediate levels) just doesn't pay well in HCOL areas, and family pressure begins to easily trump career aspirations. I trust this is a sobering observation that rings true to many? I could be wrong but please comment with your thoughts!
DeleteI agree, probably bc the total number of postdocs is declining every year (primarily due to low pay and financial stress).
DeleteI'm curious to see how this plays out. My gut feeling is that more people will get faculty jobs but that's assuming the pool is similarly talented to previous years. Hiring is a major investment and most places won't settle for someone outside their top couple candidates unless they're desperate for someone to fill a teaching gap or whatever.
DeleteBut, there are also fewer positions compared to last year (and before?).
ReplyDeleteMy assumption is that the pipeline of applicants had been fuller than usual the last couple of years after the 2020 disaster year. By this point, most of the 2020 (2021/22 jobs) pool will either have gotten jobs or "given up" for double the pay and potentially better work/life balance in industry.
DeleteLooking at the plots, last year was above average (excluding the COVID year). I don't think this year is unusually low.
DeleteA school that I'm looking at doesn't require a cover letter as part of the application materials (I confirmed this by opening up the application portal). Would it be worth writing a cover letter and attaching it as part of my CV, or would this do more harm than good?
ReplyDeleteEvery app I did last year asked for one. You should contact them and ask, but it's unlikely to hurt if you include one. I got the impression that your cover letter is probably the only thing other than your CV that people are guaranteed to seriously look at .
DeleteA cover letter is a place for you to advocate for yourself on one page of paper. Seems to me a good opportunity.
DeleteFYI, there is a typo on the list. The entry for Beloit College has a mistake in the city column. It has a link for the job posting to Colorado State University.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts about when (/how long after the job posting date) we should expect to be contacted for interviews by a college (PUI) that doesn't have a priority deadline ("Open Until Filled")?
ReplyDeleteYou should check the search status tracker sheet linked at the bottom of the list. That might give you an idea of the delay for a PUI. Without a priority deadline it's going to be hard to predict, though, especially if the applicant pool is smaller this year. A lot of schools will wait until they have a certain number of good candidates before interviewing anyone.
DeleteIs there a new interview tracker for 2024?
DeleteI'm sure CJ would be happy to update the spreadsheet if someone wanted to create a new tracker for this year. The chemistry bumper cars list wasn't being updated last year, so one of the people searching for a job made her own and CJ linked to it. Since Tori got a job, she probably won't maintain it this year.
DeleteI'll just create a new sheet on the old tracker for this year.
DeleteHas anyone gotten any Zoom interviews yet?
ReplyDeletelook like yes: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zZf5I43l4jXVUWsIUZVo7UeA9vrIszitGdkYA9XUBgY/edit?usp=sharing
DeleteAny idea what happens to the search at e.g. US Naval Academy when the government shuts down?
ReplyDeleteConsidering that most of the USNA chemistry faculty are civilians (I believe), this Politico article from 2013 tends to indicate that they will be not be working, so the search will be on pause (but this also depends on the priority date): https://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/government-shutdown-military-academies-097677
DeleteThe USNA priority date is the same day as the projected shutdown. The US Air Force Academy was 9/15, so they may be further along (but probably not far enough along that a shutdown would not be disruptive to their search).
DeleteFYI, the St. Catherine's University position has a priority of Nov 1. They say they will accept applications through 12/1, but review begins on 11/1. I'm guessing the priority deadline should be updated. Thanks, CJ!
ReplyDeleteThanks, fixed.
DeleteTulane's priority date was corrected to 11/20
ReplyDeleteThanks, fixed.
DeleteFor department head in Mississippi State University’s Chemistry Department, review of applications begins next week, according to an an internal source at the department.
ReplyDeleteFor postings that say the review will begin on a certain date for full consideration, do you expect all materials need to be submitted by 11:59pm the day before?
ReplyDeleteExample: Virginia Tech posting
"Applicants should arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be submitted to receive full consideration. Review of applications will begin October 2, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled."
I read this as all materials including LORs need to be in by the end of October 1. Not the only posting with this type of wording. Wondering for prioritizing purposes.
That would be the safest interpretation, but it depends on who is in charge and probably varies. Not from VA Tech, but we have similar wording for our position. "The will continue until the position is filled" part implies the deadline is not a hard cutoff, but your application could certainly have a tougher time getting any attention if it isn't complete by the time somebody makes the first candidate list, or if a deadline hardliner makes the list.
DeleteI've always hated this ambiguity. I wish there was a date and time listed to avoid confusion, especially when it's a hard deadline.
DeleteFWIW- this is an email I received from VT a week or two ago. The last sentence is relevant to your question.
Delete"We have received several inquiries regarding where/how to submit the required letters of recommendation. We ask that you please include the contact information for the references in the space provided in the application. We will be contacting your references directly after completion of the initial application review."
When universities ask for "concise" or "succinct" research plans but give no page limit, how should that be interpreted? I have a full 10 page research proposal which begins with an executive summary. I've just been giving the whole thing and assumed they would only read the first page if that's all they wanted.
ReplyDeleteLast year, I did mostly 2-3 page research outlines. That's what was asked for in many biochem/chembio postings. The only long proposal I did was for a traditional chem department. If there's a contact you can ask, but I think 3 is a reasonable number. Long enough to describe things but not too heavy on the details.
DeleteI'd also interpret this differently coming from an R1 vs a PUI, but it can't hurt to reach out directly to the search chair or department chair to confirm if they had a rough page length in mind.
DeleteWould it be possible to indicate in the sheet, which applications do not require DEI statements? That would help people who don't want to write one, or indeed people who didn't want to apply to a place without them.
ReplyDeleteEach entry takes me anywhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Adding an additional 15-30 seconds per entry of consideration is not an option.
DeleteI, for one, appreciate all you do Chemjobber! I am perfectly fine with researching the requirements that specific departments have.
DeleteI also appreciate all the hard work, CJ! You've made the job hunt significantly less stressful.
DeleteThank you, Chemjobber, for all the hard work. The list has helped tremendously as someone who is applying very broadly in terms of fields. I simply do not have enough time to search for all the jobs across several fields.
DeleteI applied for a job through WorkdayJobs (Akron) and the date was moved back. My package is a little more polished now and I was hoping to be able to resubmit my updated materials. I haven't had luck getting in contact with the "recruiter" listed, should I wait it out or withdraw my application and resubmit?
ReplyDeleteThe position is still open and you can update your application materials. Chris Ziegler Chair of Chemistry
DeleteHas anyone heard anything from UUtah yet?
ReplyDeleteDid the folks getting first round contact from Ithaca College just get asked to submit additional essays and for their letters, or did they also get a video interview scheduled?
ReplyDeleteSo far just the essays and letters for me
DeleteDoes anyone know if it would be disadvantageous or looked upon badly to apply to two searches in different areas within the same department? Both areas are fairly broadly defined, and my research program is not necessarily a better fit for one than the other (and not a perfect fit for either). No contact information for questions is listed for either search.
ReplyDeleteI was encouraged to do this if my research overlapped in both searches.
DeleteI don't think it would hurt, though it's unlikely you'd be interviewed for both positions. They might have different search committees, but they'll want to avoid competing with each other for candidates.
DeleteThat is also my guess. Different positions would have different search committees, and these search committees would have some way of communicating with each other. I will apply for two positions in the same department. Some institutes, like Memorial Sloan Kettering, even forward the application to two separate programs, and each program will send a receipt acknowledgment, so each program clearly knows which other program you are applying to.
DeleteMy advice would be to apply to both and indicate you are doing so in the cover letter, in case there is overlap between the search committees.
DeleteOne thing that you might not think about when looking for an academic position: The financial health of an university. Google the 2023 Forbes College Financial Grades. Take it with a grain of salt but it should be part of your equation when deciding.
ReplyDeleteI would like to reinforce this comment. I accepted a job at an R1 that is not in great financial condition. Ever-looming budget cuts and the drumbeat of support staff reductions are constant a source of stress and headaches. When a university doesn't have the resources to maintain the necessary support staff, stuff keeps dropping through the cracks and drains your energy and enthusiasm. Things just don't run properly and stuff that's broken doesn't get fixed.
DeleteWould/does the university you work at show up poorly on that Forbes list?
DeleteIt's a little tricky to really figure out since sometimes different colleges within a university will have different budgets/issues. This is especially true if under a medical school like many biochem departments are. Asking about things like support for grant submissions, finance/budgeting, and HR for hiring can give you an idea of what's going on behind the scenes and how healthy an institution likely is.
DeleteQuestion at 10:55 AM is a good reminder to me for a standard announcement: There is no obligation on this blog to answer any question that would narrow down a person's identity (i.e. who their current employer is).
DeleteUC Irvine has two postings that look active on their career page. Both the inorganic assistant (10/20) and open rank (11/06) with different job numbers. Are there one or two openings?
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that there is a single opening via communication with a faculty member. - CJ
DeleteFYI the posting with a 10/20 deadline is no longer accepting applications (https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF08609).
DeleteDoes anyone know what happened or why they may close the search before deadline?
Delete@11:48am
DeleteThey updated the search to expand it from assistant to open and pushed the deadline back to 11/06.
Does anyone know for which research areas UT-Austin is scheduling phone interviews?
ReplyDeleteI am also curious. I did not hear anything today.
DeleteWas chatting with a colleague at UT a couple weeks ago at a conference and he implied that my chances were slim because of my polymer focus
DeleteI heard that their focus is on synthetic.
DeleteAnyone heard anything from Dickinson College?
ReplyDeleteThey have requested recommendation letters (from finalists as in the ad? more likely just from their first cut). Nothing more yet.
DeleteI was asked to a Zoom interview yesterday. Scheduled for next week.
DeleteWas your Zoom interview for the Organic or Physical position?
DeleteAnyone know what happened to the Rutgers-New Brunswick job posting (priority date 10/15) ?
ReplyDeleteWondering the same thing... I was in the middle of my application when the posting suddenly closed.
DeleteIt's back online!
DeleteFor those looking for Biochemistry positions, Marian University in Indianapolis has an open Assistant or Associate Professor of Biochemistry position. Reports to the Biology Department but is open to anyone with a Biochemistry background (Chem, Bio, Biochem, etc.). Tried posting but its not on the sheet, maybe because it is in the Biology department, but it's a really good opportunity!
ReplyDeleteIt is a tenure-track position, if that isn't in there it is an error, I'll have it corrected. Thanks!
DeleteI strongly recommend doing some research into small religious colleges like this and others. Their policies and culture can be really polarizing. Hillsdale College also comes to mind - I know people there who love the place, but others don't feel welcome given their hard conservative stance on many things.
ReplyDeleteIt's mainly the department itself. I have friends that work there in other departments and they've told me that the chemistry department at The University of the South is a very toxic environment. Most of the members are not supportive and they try to sabotage other people in the department that they don't like. It sounds like a horrible place to be. I'd stay away.
ReplyDeleteA naive question, what is the link for the google excel sheet? I tried to google but could not find it. Thanks
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M2rTyKMlrcBHA5-mVq50LbywFSBODOYCBvdB9J-bMRg/edit#gid=0
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard from Bowdoin yet (comp chem) ?
ReplyDeleteNo updates. Not sure if the position is opened for a visiting assistant professor in comp chem they just hired.
DeleteOh it is bit annoying if they did that. I went for an interview to another PUI last year, and the 2 other people they were interviewing were already visiting assistant professors there. The whole thing was weird, I was told by a committee member if I am interested in such positions, I should do a visiting assistant position first. They clearly had their favorite candidate, and I felt like I wasted my time traveling there
DeleteUnderstand. Likely the policy disallowed opening to internal candidates only so they had to interview some also-rans
DeleteCould I ask for some advice on a related matter? I’m applying for PUI positions this year, despite my background being purely research-focused. If I don’t get a position this year, would it be a good move to first get a visiting position (VAP) and apply in the next cycle?
DeleteFrom my research, it appears that some VAPs quickly transition into tenure-track roles, some step into consecutive VAP positions, one after one. There are also opinions like "most VAPs have sunk all of their time into their teaching and perhaps also into service for their institution, leaving little time for research".
Thank you in advance for your opinions! Please feel free to share only as much information as you’re comfortable with.
It is risky as you say. You could always get some part-time teaching experience at your current institution/nearby community college in addition to your regular job (postdoc etc). If you do the VAP route, I think which institution you choose matters, how is the teaching load they are giving you, are you getting the right mentoring (since VAP is essentially a PUI postdoc position).
DeleteReplying to 11:44, I've seen this happen a shocking number of times, though I wouldn't say it's common. I haven't read this particular posting, but a telltale sign this might be happening is a job description that unusually detailed as to the desired skills and qualifications of candidates. These postings are specifically written for a candidate so it's easy to justify hiring that person over everyone else they might be forced by HR to interview.
Delete@12:34 PM I think it depends a lot on what kind of PUI you are interested in. Places that are more teaching focused might value the experience that comes from a VAP position. I'm a faculty member at a research-intensive PUI, and we are very interested in seeing a strong research trajectory - especially because at a PUI there may be no/few others in your specific field of chemistry, and we need to believe that you can push projects through to completion, publish, and be competitive for grant funding.
DeleteIf you start a VAP position next fall and are also applying in that cycle, I'm not it would make you application stronger. I would advise really strongly against getting caught in positions where you end up moving from VAP to VAP. It's also hard to start any sort of research as a VAP in your first year because you typically have a heavier teaching load. Again, it depends strongly on the type of PUI you are interested in, but if you want to be at a research heavy place, and you are in a position currently where you can continue to push projects forward and get publications, that would likely make your application more competitive in a subsequent cycle.
You can still show a commitment to teaching without doing a VAP - there are lots of opportunities to show that you are dedicated to teaching undergraduates and are working on developing best pedagogical practices. We tend to hire candidates who are dedicated to becoming great teachers even if they don't currently have the experience.
@7:51 AM Sometimes one can probe this from the ad but it does not always work. Last year an R1 Chemistry in Memphis opened a position (comp chem broadly defined) for their research AP.
DeleteThe other thing to realize in terms of whether or not a VAP helps your application (related to 9:28am comment) is that you will by necessity be applying for jobs when you have about 2 weeks of experience as a VAP. You will not be able to get a strong letter from your new department at that point. I would caution against a visiting position unless it is somewhere that is willing to keep you around for a second year. (Of course, you should still apply for positions in your first year but recognize that many of the supposed "benefits" of having VAP experience don't really kick in until having a full semester or two under your belt.)
Delete@11:05 PM and @9:28AM
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for carefully writing down your thoughts! I am genuinely respectful and appreciative of the guidance from you senior scientists.
Texas Tech asking for letters
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know whether most of the R1 with early priority dates (e.g., Oct 1st) have already contacted the candidates? Assuming not everyone will update the interview status tracker spreadsheet.
ReplyDeleteLast year, the average time between priority date and phone interview contact for R1s was 28 days. I am sure there are some who have been contacted, but expect next week to see some on the list.
DeleteToday, I received an interview invitation from a medical school with a 10/15 deadline. Notably, it's not focused on chemistry. The time between the priority date and the interviews varies significantly among schools. I checked the tracker from last year and also the spreadsheet from the Future PI Slack.
DeleteI second @4:32. Last year, it was about a month before I heard back from R1s about zoom interviews. I heard back about on-site interviews within a week or two of the zoom.
DeleteDoes anyone have information on whether Harvey Mudd or Wellesley have sent out campus interview invites yet?
ReplyDeleteI was triaged from Harvey Mudd at the beginning of the month.
DeleteI had a Zoom interview with Wellesley last week and haven't heard back about a campus interview.
DeleteI emailed Wellesley today, and they said they have sent out campus interview invitations.
DeleteAny news from Occidental (Bio)? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard back either, so could mean anything...
DeleteI gotta say the waiting is absolutely killing me
ReplyDeleteYou aren't alone @5:57pm. The whole process seems to unnecessarily long and drawn out with no real understanding of "what" each school is exactly looking for. Shrug, it's the game so I guess we have to play it...
DeleteYou are not alone.
DeleteThe wait is the worst part, but I get it. Last year when I applied some schools said they had 200-300 apps. Even if the majority of them are immediately triaged, it takes time to evaluate them. I also learned last year that search committees don't have total control, since faculty recruitment is subject to various institutional hiring policies.
DeleteI appreciate the statements of empathy from 9:11 and 12:01, as well as OP's admission. Absolutely what this open thread can be for, and should be.
DeleteAs the 9:11 poster, I appreciate that @Chemjobber has made a place where we *can* be empathetic. What keeps me going is knowing that regardless of how things turn out, the result doesn't have to define my self worth, my intelligence, or my core being. Sure, I'd be very disappointed, but sometimes life isn't fair. From what I gather, there is a lot of luck and behind the scenes stuff going on that has nothing to do with the specific candidate. I encourage everyone on the academic market to adopt this kind of mindset: self compassion.
DeleteAs a faculty member that has been on multiple search committees, I'm sorry the wait is hard. To give some context, most searches have 100+ applicants. At my dept (R1), each application is reviewed by at least two people, which takes at least 3 weeks (40 - 50 applications per committee member, with each application taking ~20 - 40 minutes or more). Don't forget committee members are also teaching and have all of their other research/service/travel committments. These evaluations are used to come to a 'long list' of ~20 applicants, which everyone on the committee reads (another ~2 weeks). Then the 'short list' interview candidates are decided. Rubics and/or written evaluations for each application are typically used now to promote equity in the review process, but of course adding all of this to the review process takes more time. And I know its stressful, but the results of a job search does not define your self-worth. Having done this a few times, it is an imperfect process. We do our best to evaluate and reduce bias, but I am sure mistakes are made.
DeleteAs faculty, I really think we need to be more open with applicants about this process. Applicants will have to wait, and we hope that they understand that's because what's going on behind the scenes is complicated. Faculty recruitment is a serious investment for everyone, not just startup package money but time and energy. We're all very busy and properly evaluating dozens of applications takes up all the traces of free time we have. We're very serious about the whole process, because the long-term success of department hinges on bringing in the right people, which is why we often will repost the following cycle if we aren't happy with our applicant pool rather than hire someone we're not excited about. And it's not just the success of the department but the success of the person we hire that we look out for - we care deeply about finding the best fit for everyone. At least at my institution, the lack of communication is dictated by rules about hiring and how our hiring portal works. Most applicants get an automated email when the position is closed in our system and not at earlier stages where we sort applicants into priority categories. We're trying to be more open with the process and better at communicating, but it's hard to get people broadly across academia to do better.
DeleteAs a faculty member, I would say that the waiting to hear is really just practice for being a PI when you submit grants and then hear absolutely nothing for ~6 months. Specifically, NSF generally gives you no indication of anything other than the review is "pending" for months on end. So, should you be successful and hear something in just 1-2 months about an interview and then eventually get a job, you can look forward to a future of pouring your heart into proposals and then waiting.
DeleteAnybody hear from UCSD First or Stanford Chemistry?
ReplyDeleteSomeone reported a phone interview on the Future PI Slack spreadsheet. I am also curious about Stanford. I applied for two positions there.
DeleteThe phone interview refers to UCSD First.
DeleteIs there anyone who got remote interview request from UW? One updated in the Future PI Slack spreadsheet today and I wonder if they have already reached out to everyone on their list..
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear, I'm talking about the University of Washington
DeleteI applied to UW but haven’t heard anything. Where can I find the future PI slack spreadsheet?
DeleteIs the the UW open/physical search?
DeleteI presume this is the gateway: https://futurepislack.wordpress.com/join-us/
Delete@9:28 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1F2QdGlWEdOcVMTyV2kh_sNztb4DTI3yKsT9c3g6u-Zg/htmlview#
Delete@9:37 I think so, based on the job description.
DeleteDo interview requests generally come as phone calls or as emails?
ReplyDeleteAt least the places I've heard back from, it has all been by e-mail.
DeleteAll email for me last year
DeleteI got a phone call from one place
DeleteHi everyone, I am here to ask for some opinions about a second postdoc since my first one is not super-successful and I haven't had any luck yet with faculty application. Can anyone share their thoughts: will a second postdoc help my faculty application in the future?
ReplyDeleteIt is still really early, so don't give up hope for this cycle yet! As to a second postdoc, it seems to be more common from what I've seen. I've had several friends who got nothing after their first, but then found a home in academia after a second postdoc. I think it depends on so many different circumstances that it is hard to say for sure.
DeleteThanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. This is my second cycle and I feel stressed thinking about what if I still end up with nothing.
DeleteI am currently a faculty at R1 institution, and I did two postdocs (3 years each, a total 6 years). My second postdoc was in a top school, and it helped me a lot; I got a position in the first cycle. So, if you find a second postdoc in a top place in a well-recognized research group, it will help. In addition, you will meet new friends and make connections that will help you in your future faculty journey. And, of course, you will learn new things.
Delete@2:33pm. The best advice I can give you is the same advice that I posted earlier to a different thread here @10:34am. Practice self-compassion. Regardless of the job search, you are a smart person and chemist; *nothing* can *ever* take that away from you. And while it would be very disappointing to get nothing after being "trained" for so long, it doesn't have to change the core of your being (i.e., your self-worth). Push ever onwards and be the best you you can be!
DeleteThank you so much for all the comments and encouragements! Hope everyone can get some luck this year!
DeleteIt is still way too early. A couple of schools, with due dates more than one month ago, told me they started reviewing recently. I'm on my second postdoc position, not sure if I will get an offer or not, but at least I've had a couple of interviews so far.
DeleteTo reinforce other commenters, don't stress about this cycle until about a month or two after your last app's deadline. If you haven't heard about a Zoom interview by then, you're probably not going to.
DeleteAbout your question, it's complicated, since there are so many factors that go into a successful app. Good names (PI, school) on your CV and rec letters can help, but you also need to productive in your second postdoc for those names to matter. That takes time, which is probably the biggest downside of doing another postdoc. If you need more time to finish up stuff and publish where you are, see if you can stay longer as a scientist or whatever title your institution gives after postdoc. This is increasingly common. I don't think you need a CNS type of paper to get a job, but you do need a flagship paper - the one paper you would focus on for your job talk and what your independent research lab would build upon. If there isn't such a paper on your horizon, maybe a second postdoc is a good option. Another thing to consider, and something I struggled with when doing this, is figuring out your ceiling. Maybe you're a perfectly fine applicant who just picked the wrong schools/positions. It's hard to know how competitive you are on the first cycle.
Thanks again, everyone! I really appreciate all the thoughts and comments!
DeleteDoes anyone know why the TEACH position at UT-Austin has a closing date of July 10, 2024? That seems so far in the future.
ReplyDeleteAnybody hear from Bucknell University onsite interview?
ReplyDeleteBased on the interview tracker spreadsheet, they sent campus invites out on October 19th.
Deletehttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zZf5I43l4jXVUWsIUZVo7UeA9vrIszitGdkYA9XUBgY/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks for the info.
DeleteHas anyone heard back from Utah State (organic search) since the zoom interview?
ReplyDeleteNah but my zoom interview with them was just last week and they wanted to look into some core instrumentation so I wouldn't expect to hear anything for another little bit if they're doing some of that for everyone.
DeleteThanks for the updates
DeleteSomeone entered that they got a zoom interview request on 10/13 for Wesleyan Biochemistry on the Status Tracker Sheet...is that the position in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry? I got a request on the same day and did a zoom interview with them on 10/24 and haven't heard anything. Has anyone gotten a request for on-site? They said they wanted to do campus visits in Nov and Dec and make an offer by late Dec/Early Jan. Looks like they have open seminar spots (all "TBD") for all of Nov and the first week of Dec that I assume are for candidates. Anyone heard anything or gotten invites for campus visits?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is the Molecular Biology & Biochemistry position
DeleteThanks for the response! Have you heard anything more from them concerning an on campus interview?
Deletenope
DeleteDoes anyone know in what areas the University of Utah is conducting their Inorganic/Materials search? Is it in automation/AI as described in the job description or broader than that?
ReplyDeleteI don't do automation/AI and got a zoom interview request so it appears to be somewhat broader.
DeleteSo if you don't have an interview request the same day that one pops up on the spreadsheet are you pretty much hosed for that school? I imagine they send all the emails at the same time.
ReplyDeleteAlso wondering this
DeleteI guess the answer is yes, particularly in light of the number of applicants fighting for one position. But week-long gaps between interview contacts were also reported.
DeleteSome schools send out interview invitations in waves, according to a reliable source. That's all I can disclose without revealing too much about the source.
DeleteI wouldn't assume you're totally out of the running - I had this exact experience with the spreadsheet, figured I was toast, and then received an invite the next day. Many reasons this could happen - someone could decline the in-person invite, they might send emails out in waves, etc.
DeleteSometimes we send waves if we have a large number of people we want to talk to. Even in those cases, we try to do them all in a couple of weeks.
DeleteTo clarify, phone/Zoom interviews tend to be within a narrow window. In-person can vary widely. Some people cancel or whatever and we have to invite more a month or two after sending out the first invites.
DeleteI wouldn't assume you're out of the running, waves can happen. We're having waves in the search I'm working on. This is scheduling/finding time to get it done related, there isn't a preferred/less preferred wave or anything like that.
DeleteAny word on the U of Utah Analytical/Bioanalytical search?
ReplyDeleteSeems a lot of people wanting those Utah positions
DeleteTbh I think it’s a combo of them putting out three calls and having an early priority. People are getting restless and there’s a ton of applications
DeleteAnyone have any update on Dickinson since the phone interview contact in early October?
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard anything since the Zoom interview either
DeleteWas yours organic or physical focused?
DeleteWhen you get irritated that your students don't read the directions, just remember how many professors-to-be also did not read the massive in bold red directions and keep sorting the faculty status sheet. 🤣
ReplyDeleteFair enough.
DeleteFair enourgh +1
DeleteI know. I fixed it by copying and pasting a prior version from the history.
DeleteIf you must sort, download the Excel file and have at it.
DeleteLOL
DeleteI can't even with the sorting anymore.
Delete@11:13AM
DeleteI watched this happen repeatedly last year. I am just fascinated at this point (original anonymous @8:29 PM commenter).
It doesn't seem to be an issue in the PI slack sheet which has DO NOT SORT on every column.
Is the current version intended (sorted by the specialty)??
DeleteNo, it is supposed to not be sorted. People should leave it alone and just add a new school as they hear at the bottom.
Delete@1:34PM: I'm trying to restore the version at 9:04am today but I am not sure how it works
DeleteI have gone through the history to before it was sorted, created a copy, and then copied and pasted that into the sheet. Restoring a prior version doesn't seem to work.
DeleteThank you all for the constant reminder that if I am compos mentis, I will never, ever allow the Faculty List to be editable.
DeleteIf someone wanted to make a new one and limit editing power, it might be possible to prevent this from happening. We've just repurposed last year's sheet.
DeleteHas anyone heard from Belmont University? They have an open position with priority date 10/01 but I haven't seen anything on the Status Tracker sheet yet.
ReplyDeleteLooks like someone updated the tracker ~3 PM with notice of a rejection
DeleteWhat's going on with the theo/comp position at U Oregon? Priority date was 10/2 and someone reported a rejection/cancellation on 10/11. No interviews reported. Was the position cancelled?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they were quick to triage apps.
DeleteA rejection here. But my colleague said his/her refereneces were requested to upload their letters, so I guess he/she is on the shortlist. If this also happened to you, maybe you should wait?
DeleteLol I was the rejection. I had something vaguely machine learning based so I let an app fly on that one really fast and the day after I applied to the Material Science job my rejection arrived. When I log into the job thingy it says I'm "shortlisted", so you may be able to get some info there. I've been shortlist for at least one week with no additional developments /shrug
Delete@ 10:05 PM It is interesting to learn the "shortlisted" status, as many positions tend to stay in the "under review" or "received" phase forever.
Delete@10:05PM: I am confused. Does "shortlisted" mean "rejected"? Or you mean, you got the rejection letter for computational job while you got shortlisted for the other one (material)?
DeleteNo, shortlisted is selected, which is why it is ironic that 10:05 was rejected with shortlisted status.
DeleteDoes anyone know anything about this Cornell posting in materials science? It doesn't have a priority date and I can't tell how long it's been posted - I don't want to take the time to customize my application materials if they aren't reviewing anymore. I emailed the contact email twice and they haven't gotten back to me (which isn't promising).
ReplyDeletehttps://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/24237