tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post5385762488661440381..comments2024-03-18T16:39:23.054-04:00Comments on Chemjobber: 2016 Academic Job Search Open ThreadChemjobberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15932113680515602275noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-58212948798371022202016-01-12T03:40:04.390-05:002016-01-12T03:40:04.390-05:00Hi, NMH,
Perhaps a little along the lines of the ...Hi, NMH,<br /><br />Perhaps a little along the lines of the "PhD scam" essay, I came across the following one from"Vitae", titled "Skip The Department Meeting", in reference to the plight of contingent faculty:<br /><br />https://chroniclevitae.com/news/1250-skip-the-department-meeting?cid=VTEVPMSED1<br />The premise seems to be that the pyramid is starting to crumble.<br /><br />BTW, FYI, check out the CB faculty opening list. I am beating up on a couple of trolls over there.<br /><br />cheers<br /><br />GCGeneric Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-36330928496043770472016-01-11T14:15:15.701-05:002016-01-11T14:15:15.701-05:00BTW, Marshall U. just sent me a second "thank...BTW, Marshall U. just sent me a second "thank you" e-mail. Either they felt the need to ascertain that they've gotten the point across, or they have incompetent staff.Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-57412945950332220002016-01-11T14:13:21.944-05:002016-01-11T14:13:21.944-05:00Fair enough, NMH.
The nature of a troll is to dis...Fair enough, NMH.<br /><br />The nature of a troll is to disappear underground after making trouble.. That being said, the Wikapedia definition of a troll is a little different than that which is being used here. Perhaps a new term is in order? To stick with the Tokienesque origin of these creatures, perhaps a new name is in order? I recommend "goblin".Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-48831038206257561082016-01-11T07:45:14.820-05:002016-01-11T07:45:14.820-05:00If you are a gentleman, GC, as you appear to be, l...If you are a gentleman, GC, as you appear to be, let the choice of weapons rest with him. Duels are cool.NMHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-56246804232696198302016-01-11T04:30:24.452-05:002016-01-11T04:30:24.452-05:00Dear AnonymousJanuary 4, 2016 at 11:21 PM, aka Pro...Dear AnonymousJanuary 4, 2016 at 11:21 PM, aka Professor Troll: if you have any guts, then kindly give yourself a pseudonym, and let's have at it.Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-22737673844130906222016-01-11T04:24:30.384-05:002016-01-11T04:24:30.384-05:00Hi NMH,
This may sound surprising, but ca. 2 year...Hi NMH,<br /><br />This may sound surprising, but ca. 2 years back, I read an authoritative article which claimed that doctorates in the physical sciences now have more trouble finding long-term positions than do "artsies". Unfortunately, I do not know the URL any more, otherwise of course I would post it here. However, I still mentioned it to some of my artsie-friends and they too were surprised.<br /><br />But I did scratch my head about how this could possibly be true. The only explanation which I had was that in spite of their intellectual interests, those history, English, etc. majors are not dumb. In other words, they anticipated a tough time finding real employment, and hence they are more willing to adapt to a changing job market than are physical scientists. After all, many of us started our studies being stary-eyed and full of enthusiasm and optimism about finding a job in our narrow fields.<br /><br />This contribution might become fodder for them thar trolls!Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-84360491778284163862016-01-10T11:44:09.926-05:002016-01-10T11:44:09.926-05:00Read the first story of the front page about the h...Read the first story of the front page about the history PhD trying to find an academic position. And you think we have it bad:<br /><br />https://phdscam.wordpress.com/NMHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-54761689906875250552016-01-04T23:21:27.702-05:002016-01-04T23:21:27.702-05:00Honestly, based on all his comments here and on Ch...Honestly, based on all his comments here and on ChemBark it's apparent that Generic Chemist is just bitter about screwing up his shot(s)--shots a lot of us will never even get. He seems intent to hijack whatever narrative helps him feel better about himself and cope with the fact that it didn't work out, at the expense of a lot of hopeful candidates and people who want to provide useful advice. I'm ready to hear less from this retread and more from the rest of the community on various aspects of the job application process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-22349080157311792652016-01-04T19:32:00.429-05:002016-01-04T19:32:00.429-05:00No response from West Virginia.
On an unrelated t...No response from West Virginia.<br /><br />On an unrelated topic, since "Anon Jan 3, 2016 at 9:48 AM" and "Anon Jan2, 2016 at 4:41 PM" think that I no longer have anything to offer society, except for doing the dirty work of 100% teaching for real research directors, maybe I should use my ideas for a start-up? The adverts for the people working for me would be along the lines of "Scientists who are older than 45-50 years old, who feel that they are facing repeated age discrimination and who are willing to carry out bench work will be preferentially treated".<br /><br />Age discrimination is a dirty little word which, if one mentions during the process of searching for an intellectually challenging job, will automatically land your application at the bottom of the pile.Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-64873906556365493792016-01-04T15:20:18.463-05:002016-01-04T15:20:18.463-05:00While that is indeed frustrating, at least you had...While that is indeed frustrating, at least you had a chance at running your own group. Plenty of us out there that are struggling to even get a foot in the door. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-67035684446554017442016-01-04T15:06:54.553-05:002016-01-04T15:06:54.553-05:00Did anyone hear from West Virginia or University o...Did anyone hear from West Virginia or University of Louisville?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01575009216819499686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-63820523739090134452016-01-04T14:25:15.594-05:002016-01-04T14:25:15.594-05:00Well it probably doesn't count for anything in...Well it probably doesn't count for anything in today's environment, but my own father was/is a renown scientist and stayed 100% active until the age of 75. Then became an emeritus. Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-4338771637782110972016-01-03T16:24:31.976-05:002016-01-03T16:24:31.976-05:00Compared to PUI's, probably not. I work at a R...Compared to PUI's, probably not. I work at a R1 and taught at a PUI. Although expectations maybe higher at R1 (bring in lots of grant $$$), workload at a PUI is FAR worse (teach 3 classes per semester and develop a project for undergads to do on a shoe-string budget).<br /><br />Ive always felt that faculty at R1'a have it easy, and the gravy train gets even better when they are tenured on 100% salary.NMHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-15097089649305999052016-01-03T16:12:52.139-05:002016-01-03T16:12:52.139-05:00@nmh, you think new hires at R1's aren't e...@nmh, you think new hires at R1's aren't exhausted?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-77826846056504652332016-01-03T10:46:16.493-05:002016-01-03T10:46:16.493-05:00At the state PUI I taught at this year, the Chem d...At the state PUI I taught at this year, the Chem dept chair stated what they are looking for is "momentum" (this is the exact word she used), which I assume means you will immediately fit expectations of the school, no matter how extreme, exhausting, and poorly compensated they may be. I think there it meant is that if you had evidence that you were a good teacher and a project that you engage students with, and one that was sexy enough to be funded by the state grant funding agencies that existed, then they wanted you.<br /><br />In light of this infomration, because I'm "of a certain age" without a good idea for a cheap project, my best shot is at a CC. And I'm finding its a lot of work to teach on the side with a full time job in research to make myself attractive for this kind of position.<br /><br />I recall I went to a national meeting of PUI's about 10 years ago. The two things I remember were:<br /><br />1.) how exhausted the new hires of PUI's seem to be (on top of the low salary they receive).<br /><br />2.) There was one guy that talked about how to get a job at a PUI. He said that he looked at a candidate and tried to determine how much they have been "preparing all of their life" for that kind of job. But then earlier, he admitted when he was looking for a job (in the late 1960's) he had no idea what he wanted to do with his PhD and so decided to apply for the position he had. I really think things were easier back then.<br /><br />IMO, extreme competition has made everything far more miserable in the USA in the last twenty years. I really hope these other countries from around the world that keep providing us with their talent improve their states, but I'm not optimistic.NMHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-8848791773374148322016-01-03T09:49:12.524-05:002016-01-03T09:49:12.524-05:00Sorry--this was supposed to be a reply to the disc...Sorry--this was supposed to be a reply to the discussion immediately above!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09599539388046370326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-13784712609241658892016-01-03T09:48:28.091-05:002016-01-03T09:48:28.091-05:00I agree with Anonymous and NMH. I don't mean ...I agree with Anonymous and NMH. I don't mean to rain on your parade Generic Chemist, but on the search committees I have been on (at a top-20 R1) applications from anyone whose PhD is more than 10 years old is not even considered (and, realistically, that number is probably much closer to 5 than 10).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-74346540931609082052016-01-02T17:04:57.488-05:002016-01-02T17:04:57.488-05:00The financial investment would be greater at a ric...The financial investment would be greater at a richer R1 institution than a PUI or CC. I would think the older you are the more likely to find something in a PUI or a CC than an R1. Also I would think there would be far less age discrimination for 1-year contract lectureship positions. This is something I might look for myself, being a "man of a certain age".NMHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-63108574122982784692016-01-02T16:41:42.886-05:002016-01-02T16:41:42.886-05:00It's a big investment hiring a new assistant p...It's a big investment hiring a new assistant professor. If you were choosing between making that investment in someone who was 35 with potentially 30 years of service ahead of them or 50 with 15 years ahead of them... which would you choose?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-10941362126117078252015-12-31T15:05:47.549-05:002015-12-31T15:05:47.549-05:00GC: Yes, those hiring decisions were made while I ...GC: Yes, those hiring decisions were made while I was still in grade school, and I therefore know very little about those choices. I only know what happened the year I was hired. <br /><br />As to our IC opening, we've not made any decision public. Best of luck to you in your search!Lainanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-15095369950184885192015-12-30T16:41:00.097-05:002015-12-30T16:41:00.097-05:00Hi Laina,
The quote which I unexpectedly found on...Hi Laina,<br /><br />The quote which I unexpectedly found on the internet pre-dates your time at UNR by a number of years. I honestly don't know anything about the circumstances besides what I have copied here.<br /><br />BTW, has your department already made interview decisions for the IC opening?Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-75594776940529491242015-12-30T15:33:31.021-05:002015-12-30T15:33:31.021-05:00UNR hired two faculty members in 2014: myself and ...UNR hired two faculty members in 2014: myself and Yftah Tal-Gan. You can easily verify that our salaries are identical. Lainanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-7408765154514176492015-12-30T14:16:50.229-05:002015-12-30T14:16:50.229-05:00Shit. If this is true, then it looks like my profe...Shit. If this is true, then it looks like my professional life (at least in this country) is screwed. So for those who are curious, here are some details from my own career:<br />1. Was faculty in the UK, until the budget-obsessed university management and government closed the chemistry program.<br />2. Returned to the US, and started applying to positions over here. Got some interviews.<br />3. Finally landed a tenure-track position in an obscure location. But then the higher management demanded that I magically switch my research interests into an area for which I was not hired, nor had any experience.<br />4. Since the state in question has hire-n-fire laws, in 2014, I lost my job, in spite of numerous protest from faculty and students. The departmental chair's apology was "we made a mistake".<br />5. Turned 50 while at faculty job #2.<br />6. Started re-applying for faculty positions. Absolutely no interviews.Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-3917961109001434192015-12-30T10:18:08.485-05:002015-12-30T10:18:08.485-05:00Data on a may be interesting. My take from friend...Data on a may be interesting. My take from friends in academe is that for any position there are 100+ applications, the majority (maybe 80%) from people with no chance for the position (50 year olds with dismal CVs, PhD students from (let's say) 'developing nations') whose applications get tossed, of the remainder half get triaged out quickly and half the remaining half make the short list after some contentious committee meeting. Data on b would also be interesting, though DK measuring anything against ACS membership has any value. <br /><br />The problem with R&D is that measuring outcomes is tough: papers in 'good' journals/patents/companies started/grants obtained in 10 years? Which is more important? I recall some years ago having coffee with a PDF who'd been looking for a position for abt 5 years---he got usually a half dozen interviews a year, but never an offer. He asked, of a recent hire in our deptartment "what do they have that I don't have". I thought about it for a moment, and realized all the recent hires in our department were taller than average (>6'2") and he (as am I) was of average height. I doubt there are any data to support it, or ever will be, but I'll bet you could correlate (with r^2>0.66) height with having a faculty position. Not necessarily fair, but there you go.<br /><br />biotechtoreadornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964719845369935777.post-24410503316226305502015-12-30T03:00:43.779-05:002015-12-30T03:00:43.779-05:00Thanks for the information, although it is dismal....Thanks for the information, although it is dismal. I've passed this on to a few very talented former undergrads who also aspire to....yep, that's right.<br /><br />The comment "This year is particularly difficult from my observation so far." Deserves a comment, although it might be more appropriate as part of a discussion for a bar or pub. The question is whether the trend is clearly in one direction, or the current year is just a "bump". My beliefs tend towards the former interpretation. There are a number of experiments which could be envisioned to gain information on this:<br />a. data on the applicants:positions advertised on an annual basis? Departments obviously have this information, but the question is whether they are willing to share it.<br />b. Long-term degree outcomes e.g. five years after terminal degree. For example, one could measure the number of graduates against their ACS membership over 1-10 years.Generic Chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17368825556427261716noreply@blogger.com