Personal statement postdoc
To primary to secondary →blog→landing your tenure track job→the postdoc app: how it’s different and the next few months i will be posting the “best of the best” professor is in blog posts on the job market, for the benefit of all those girding their loins for the 2013-2014 market. Has come to my attention that many junior people do not have a clear picture in their minds of the requirements of a postdoc treat it too much like the job application. Yet many of the same principles the purposes of this post, i’m going to assume that the postdoc application is requiring a cover letter, a 4 page research proposal, a description of a proposed course, and a brief statement articulating how you will participate in the scholarly community of the campus. While not all postdocs will require this exact set of documents, by discussing these here, we can address the major requirements, expectations, and potential pitfalls of the typical postdoc application effort. In all of this first part, the relevance of your work to the stated mission of the postdoc will be emphasized clearly. If your topic is mexican women immigrant workers, then for a gender postdoc, you will emphasize how the phenomenon reflects changing gender relations at home or abroad; for a globalization postdoc, you will emphasize how the phenomenon reflects changing labor mobility globally; for a latin american studies postdoc, you will emphasize how the phenomenon reflects new economic circumstances in mexico. This tailoring requires an original recasting or reframing of your work to meet the mission of the postdoc! Failure to do this reframing means failure to get the the discussion of research, the postdoc app letter will specifically discuss the plan of work for the postdoc year–ie, month by month, what new research and revisions will be will then include a very brief discussion of teaching experience (much shorter than for a regular job cover letter), followed by a discussion of the proposed class required by the postdoc, and how the proposed class will also advance the mission of the , in place of the typical tailoring paragraph, the letter will conclude with a brief paragraph explaining how the research and writing time of the postdoc will be used, how the scholarly community on campus will advance the project, and how the candidate will participate in said scholarly community. The letter will be no more than 2 pages principle in operation here—and the one that too many applicants don’t seem to grasp—is that the campus is funding this expensive postdoc not so some random academic can come and sit in an office and write for a year, but rather, to “buy” the energy, contributions, and participation of an additional world-class scholar to their campus community for the period of that year. The point of a postdoc research proposal is to, first, articulate an important and significant project, and second, articulate a coherent and feasible plan of work. It is this second element that most applicants fail to er: the postdoc is not there to serve you, you are there to serve the postdoc.
The postdoc wants to be in the line, in the footnote, “this research was supported by generous funding from xxxxx. The postdoc committee is going to judge the applications based on how likely it is that the applicant is going to efficiently and effectively use the time on campus to complete a specified set of publications. Research you will conduct, and when, what book chapters you will complete, and when, and what journal articles you will finish and submit, and will conclude this document with a strong and expansive conclusion that clearly shows how the postdoc year will play into your larger scholarly and career trajectory as a world-class scholar. Because the postdoc wants to get part of the fame and glory that attaches to you as you move ahead in the cs are in the business of supporting the next generation of leaders in the scholarly world. Be aware that the vast majority of postdoc applications are written by the ed class description. Point of vast confusion among postdoc applicants seems to be how to pitch the required class. That means, they want a highly specialized course, that reflects the postdoc’s unique and distinctive scholarly program. The final choice for how to pitch the course will hinge on the climate of the department and the campus, and the postdoc mission itself—if it’s an asian area studies postdoc, then you’d prioritize se asia, if it’s a gender postdoc, then you’d prioritize global sexualities, if it’s a transnational studies postdoc, then you’d prioritize queer globalizations. The tailoring happens ent of participation in campus ’s what the postdoc committee does not want: someone who arrives, walks into their allotted office, and is never seen again for the rest of the year. The proper stance here is that of a colleague who brings her own dynamic field of expertise to the campus, and who looks forward to energetic and innovative interactions with the colleagues sum, remember that, no matter how much you need that postdoc to get your book written, the postdoc is not there to serve you. You are there to serve the postdoc, but as a first-rank, world-class scholar and specialist in your field whose work speaks directly—directly—to the mission of the postdoc.
By virtue of your energy and brilliance, you cause the postdoc committee to pick you, out of all the competitors, to spend the year on their campus, sharing your work, and augmenting their teaching and intellectual profile and advancing their scholarly cause. Remember, make them want advice– and also great insight into the expectations for those who are fortunate to have a postdoc position! I’m currently applying for postdocs here in australia, and your tips have been really useful so far! Was wondering if you could comment specifically on how to pitch the research proposal aspect of the postdoc in a way that is both different from but still speaks to your dissertation research. Especially for a field like anthropology where “research” typically means a fieldwork project (yet postdocs aren’t fieldwork grants) i’m curious about what to say. I find myself re-explaining my dissertation research and i’m worried i’m not making enough of a distinction between dissertation and postdoc research. In most cases, in the humanities and social sciences, what a one year postdoc calls “research” is in fact the transformation of your dissertation into a book or series of articles. This is not the case for science postdocs, so for information on those, please seek advice of specialists in your field. But when they ask for a statement of research, what they mean is that you articulate the dissertation research in terms of its topic, its methods, and its significance, and you then describe its individual chapters. Many postdocs have a light teaching load and some limited research funding precisely to offer you the opportunity to do a bit more research in the archives or your field site, perhaps over winter break or a short visit, but it is understood that this is merely to augment the research you have already done for the dissertation. You will mention this in the 4-page proposal as precisely that—a short-term research stint to provide you with needed materials to complete your revisions of chapter 4, for example, or to form the basis of a new final chapter, the postdoc is a two year postdoc, then the situation changes to some extent.
Thing you said made me think of a tangential question: how should a postdoc initiate casual meetings to get to know individual faculty members? The postdoc announcement calls for “a statement of interest, curriculum vitae, sample publications, and three letters of recommendation. I plan to apply for postdocs, but i am in research transition and my new research is not related at all to my past research. Postdocs go to more junior people, typically, and you’d be unlikely to get one. Because there are very few jobs in my area and i would like to work in a related, but different, discipline, i am considering a postdoc to get the training that i would need to do so. Am curious how you would adjust the postdoc cover letter to cater for a postdoc fellowship that is working on someone else’s project. Was accepted as an academic visitor (3-12 months) in warwick by a professor there who asked me to propose my own idea, secure my own funding and he will supervise and support my government offers postdoc fellowships and i’m supposed to submit a proposal, get warwick approval, then send it to them to get the funding. Never wrote a postdoctoral proposal before and made a lot of research and came to the conclusion that it ranges from something like a graduate research proposal, to something with cover letter, and budget. I’ve read the comments and questions above, some imply that postdoc is intended as a continuation of parts of the phd work into books chapters and articles. Understanding seems to be accurate—but generally any postdoc competition will be very clear about the required docs and their length! If your previous phd work can be brought to completion with time left over, then the proposal should clearly indicate what new research you’ll be of the post-docs i’m applying to requires the following application materials:A detailed statement of research interests and teaching methods.
Writing sample of 20-30 ed proposals for the two courses mentioned letters of is the “detailed statement of research interests and teaching methods”? It is ambiguous enough, however, that you would be justified in appending your rs and ts to the package as well, as optional ’s no “research project” mentioned among the required documents so i’ll just assume this is more than the usual cover letter; i did a 3-page document following the structure you suggested for the research statement + 1 page teaching philosophy. He is looking for a postdoc and we have had a very nice chat, so after experssing my interest in his work he asked me to submit a detailed cv and a (statement of work). I came to understand from him is that i should submit a project proposal, provide a summar of my skills and explain how would i fit in their question is how detailed should the statement of work be? If you’re putting a project proposal, summary of skills, and a brief statement of fit, then that could certainly be 4-5 doublespaced pages you again for the speedy i honestly do not know if i should submit a detailed proposal, since the prof. Has already a project he wants to hire someone to work on and we have discussed that project , i have seen on the web that its recommended for (statement of work) to use the (bullets) style, does that apply for such a case as mine? A cover letter with an indication of (and justification for) the level of support requested” means (the application is for a visiting scholar fellowship, suitable also for postdocs) ? In europe, most of postdoc app require the candidate to demonstrate “how you meet the criteria of the post” (generally there is a list of essential and desire criteria), rather than a research proposal, or teaching statement i still need to do project and teaching plan or i can just “show” them how i have met the general, the postdoc/direction topic is already given when they advertised the advice for this type of application? M applying for a post-doc that specifically asks for a bibliography as part of the (3,000 word) research statement. The ad for the postdoc i’m applying to asks for a research statement of no more than 2000 words, without specifying whether or not i should include bibliography in those 2000 words. But i remain flummoxed as to how to assemble a professional letter when personal elements encroached on my tenure and i have been away for year (to be close to my daughter…a tough wrong move).
It possible to sound too far along with turning your diss into a book for a postdoc? I’m applying for several 3-year postdocs, and they generally say that typically the first 2 years are devoted to turning the diss into a book and the 3rd year to a new book project. I finished my diss over a year ago, am in conversation with a major press about publication, and ideally plan to send them the manuscript for review next summer, before the postdoc would start. So there are a number of ways i could lay out my 3-yr postdoc research plan. But are postdoc search committees more interested in your first than your second book, in terms of their place in your acknowledgments, etc? I am abd in anthropology, finishing in june, and currently applying for two 3-year postdocs. I’m currently applying for a post-doc that does *not* ask for a cover letter, but it does ask for a “personal statement” of 2000 words “outlining their completed research (including dissertation), work in progress, professional goals and plans for publication, and any other information relevant to their candidacy. I’ve been drafting a letter that goes into teaching for my 2nd & 3rd paragraphs, then goes on to discuss dissertation and research that i plan to pursue in the 4th you in advance for your i need different letters of recommendation for postdocs and job applications? Karen has insight on the “personal statement,” which is required by many post-docs and dissertation year fellowships? I’m currently working on two post-doc applications, for example, that ask for statements of research, teaching philosophy, and a “personal statement. Personal statement is a constant headache, and i don’t yet have a post on it, although i definitely will when i’m back to blogging (or in the book that i’m writing).
It has to still be an academic document, which merelyties together your personal background with the work of scholarship and teaching that you hope to karen: have you addressed the personal statement yet. I showed a draft to my advisor & she indicated that i needed more specifics about what i expected out of the postdoc than the personal related narrative. Also have a quick question that is related to the ps or rather, via ps, to the diversity postdoc positions. Karen, i am a finalist for a postdoc and i have a skype interview scheduled. Is there a major difference between preparing for a postdoc skype interview and a tenure track one? All the regular interviewing rules apply (read all my posts on interviewing) but you’ll be focused on the specific things to be accomplished during the postdoc term, and in terms of teaching–only the course or courses that are required under the postdoc (if any). I was pretty stressed that i dont have a chance to be accepted there, but reading your post helped me to make sure i have done my best in preparing a cover letter which speaks of my experience and presents my personality well. I am currently writing an application for a philosophy postdoc and find some parts of it rather difficult (btw, it is a pure research position, which is a good thing because i do not have the people skills to be a teacher, even “participation” is a stretch for me). Writing articles the cdn front postdocs are highly centralised (mostly done through the federal tri-council online application system). The relative enthusiasm of the department that would host you is also important (and sussing out what kind of space they have for you, whether they will have other postdocs, what kinds of opportunities there may be). Is really helpful to hear – i am in the process of preparing my sshrc postdoc application and trying to understand what aspects seem to really count.
I am applying for a one year postdoc in social sciences which puts particularly emphasis on the training it offers to develop skills for future academic career. A 2 pages “academic career statement” and a 2 pages “research proposal” are among the requested documents. I am particularly puzzled by the statement which requires indicating (in this order): (i) why i think that the programme in general, and its academic practice training/activities in particular, will benefit me; (ii) my research and teaching interests and experience, and career plans. Is this statement a kind of cover letter that requires putting significant and particular emphasis on why and how the programme will benefit my career plans? M applying for a postdoc that requires both a research proposal (and assumes that you’ll be revising your dissertation into a book manuscript) and a dissertation abstract. About the cover letter for cover letter you state: “after the discussion of research, the postdoc app letter will specifically discuss the plan of work for the postdoc year–ie, month by month, what new research and revisions will be made. The end of the letter you say: “lastly, in place of the typical tailoring paragraph, the letter will conclude with a brief paragraph explaining how the research and writing time of the postdoc will be used, how the scholarly community on campus will advance the project, and how the candidate will participate in said scholarly community. Am wondering if there is a distinction between “research and writing time” and plan for the postdoc year re: research and revisions? I assume that perhaps the later statement of yours is more of a summary statement? The latter, tailoring part is not a timeline per se, it’s just a general statement of ways you envision contributing to life on campus and/or drawing from the resources there. The online application does not accommodate a cover postdoc proposals will have a paragraph on contributions to/interactions with the faculty and 3-yr.
Postdoc i am applying to requires just a single, 3,000 words or less personal statement that summarizes everything (it’s a nightmare to write). Since the research is for a bigger project, i was thinking of writing my statement as such: 2 paragraphs on my current research; 2 paragraphs on how my research and experience ties into the overall project and its goals; 1-2 paragraphs on how i intend to become an active member of the scholarly community at the university; 1-2 paragraphs on my future research plans. Have a question about writing the research proposal for a research postdoc in which the plan is to turn the dissertation into a book. I just completed my phd in creative writing and am contemplating to apply for two year postdoctoral research in europe. M working on a postdoc application right now that asks only for a letter, cv, writing sample, and references. The postdoc is heavily focused on raising the department profile (so thanks for your discussion of that in your post! Find your blog of much help and i am following your rules to tailor a good postdoc application. However, i am partecipating to a call for a postdoc position that requires a project of only three pages. Have a question about the academic career statement that is required to apply for a post-doc. Should the career statement be written in a cover letter format of the kind “dear mr. M not sure what you mean by career statement, but docs for postdocs are not written as letters unless there is specifically a cover letter requested as part of the ck: apply for a hep postdoc position 2015 | ??
Following your general postdoc guidelines, i made a case for how my work both fits with what they already offer and injects some new blood. However, i’m finding a lot of advice about using the personal statement to “address strengths and weaknesses,” explain gaps in one’s cv, and “humanize” one’s application on other academic websites. For the sake of the insecure and broke, can you do some debunking and break down the personal statement the way you break down the research statement and cover letter? Two positions are fellowship where we can join as pre- or postdoc, and they main ‘obligation’ to the fellows is to publish/complete a writing over the year, either completing a chapter as pre-doc, or publishing the phd as postdoc, or write and publish an article. They ask for a 1500 words research proposal, i allocated 500 words to the publication of my thesis, giving some details on its content but mainly focusing on why i should have it published and why this publication is needed and timely, and then 9 have about 700 words and on a new project, for which i clearly state that it will be a long-run project to be completed over several year and i intend solely to initiate it during the postdoc and participate in conferences to present it. Wish you a nice you so much for your work – it has been so helpful to me as i navigate the stressful job and postdoc application process. Have a specific question about how to format the documents for one postdoc in particular. This application asks for a “personal statement” of 1500 words max, which details “completed research, works in progress, professional goals and plans for publication, and other relevant iformation” in addition to a 500-word statement discussing (essentially) “what the institution can do for you and what you can do for the institution”. Question is this: is the “personal statement” more like a research statement, or should it be written more like a cover letter? I am working on my application for a post-doc position that asks for a “a 3-5 page (double-spaced) statement of research interest/research proposal. Karen, a word of thanks for the tips and advises on how to compile a postdoc application.
I hope to apply for a postdoc and the tips you shared here have been ant post, edgy and very informative. I am applying to a humanities postdoc that asks for two courses: one, an introduction to a topic of my choice for first and second-year students from different fields, and the second, a more advanced seminar in my own discipline aimed at juniors and seniors in my host post above recommends designing a specific course that bears a clear relationship to your diss work, while speaking to a broader field. I am considering proposing an introductory lecture on film & media theory (my field), which i do not see offered in any of the university’s departments (but they do state film as one of the fields appropriate for the postdoc). Also i read elsewhere “include potential funding partners”, is it requirement to find a funding source to apply a postdoc? Monday: more on lipsticks and introducing ive slides for your job talk and beyond: 9 myths to stop believing – guest to primary to secondary →blog→landing your tenure track job→the postdoc app: how it’s different and the next few months i will be posting the “best of the best” professor is in blog posts on the job market, for the benefit of all those girding their loins for the 2013-2014 market.