How to get a postdoc, a faculty position, & why you might or might not want one - Darren Lipomi UCSD

Professor Darren Lopomi introduces himself and discusses the topic of continuing in academia, focusing on finding and funding a postdoc and a faculty position, particularly for R1 institutions. He acknowledges the appeal of academia for some and the competitive nature of funding, with most grant applications being rejected. He also mentions the potential downsides, such as repetitive teaching and lower pay compared to other careers for advanced degrees, like industry R&D or law. The talk is aimed at those considering academia, including those unsure of their path, and touches on the motivations of principal investigators (PIs) for encouraging this route.

The speaker delves into the realities of academic life, including the demanding aspects such as serving on numerous committees, dealing with constant rejection in grants and papers, and the time-consuming nature of administrative tasks. He also discusses the concept of a postdoc, likening it to an 'academic residency' necessary for those aspiring to be professors. The postdoc phase is described as a competitive 'arms race,' where the length and necessity of postdocs have increased over time. The talk highlights the importance of choosing a postdoc lab that aligns with one's interests and career goals, and the potential benefits of working at a different institution to gain new perspectives and experiences.

This section explores the varying lengths of postdocs across different fields, with natural sciences tending to have longer postdocs than engineering. The speaker emphasizes that a postdoc is still a valuable period to work on projects of personal interest without the pressure of securing funding. The discussion also touches on the 'two-body problem,' which refers to the challenge of relocating with a partner who also needs to move, and how this can impact career choices in academia. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about his wife's job search and how it influenced their decision to move to California, highlighting the importance of considering personal circumstances when navigating academic careers.

The speaker outlines various funding opportunities for postdocs, including the NIH T-32 fellowship for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, supplemental funding through existing NIH grants, and diversity fellowships. He also mentions institutional fellowships like the University of California President's Postdoc Fellowship and the possibility of teaching and research postdocs at some universities. Additionally, he discusses other U.S. agencies that offer postdoc fellowships and the importance of not limiting oneself to only one funding source. The paragraph concludes with advice on how to approach potential PIs about postdoc positions, emphasizing the importance of showing initiative and researching available funding options.

The speaker provides strategies for finding a postdoc position, such as leveraging one's advisor's network, engaging with seminar speakers, and utilizing social media platforms like Twitter for job postings. He also discusses the importance of visiting labs and meeting with lab members to assess the work environment. The talk then shifts to applying for faculty positions, with advice on starting the application process early, using professional society publications, and considering positions that may not initially appear to match one's expertise. The speaker shares his personal experience of applying for a faculty position, emphasizing the importance of persistence and not taking rejections personally.

This section details the timeline and components of a faculty position application, including cover letters, CVs, research and teaching statements, diversity statements, and letters of recommendation. The speaker reflects on his own application materials and the process of applying to various departments. He discusses the importance of tailoring research proposals to the department's core interests and the challenges of fitting into the department's research strategy. The speaker also shares his personal application statistics and the influence of being part of a dual-career couple on the job search process, highlighting the importance of applying broadly and not taking rejections personally.

The speaker emphasizes the significance of fit in the faculty hiring process, including the candidate's alignment with the department's research strategy, teaching, and student interaction. He discusses the importance of having solid research proposals that are not just extensions of previous work but also include ambitious and innovative ideas. The speaker also shares tips on interview preparation, such as memorizing questions or facts about each faculty member one will meet, and the importance of maintaining energy during the interview process. He advises candidates to be wary of flattery and to remember that a rejection is not a reflection of their worth or potential.

Drawing from his experience on a faculty search committee, the speaker provides insights into what committees look for in candidates, such as a well-rounded package of teaching, research, and fundraising abilities. He notes that research proposals are often too safe and advises candidates to aim higher. The speaker also mentions the importance of maintaining energy during the Q&A session of interviews and the value of data-driven teaching methods. He suggests that candidates differentiate themselves by understanding and targeting appropriate funding strategies and by effectively selling their research and teaching strengths. The speaker concludes by encouraging candidates to stay engaged in the scientific community, even if they have been in industry, and to continue publishing to maintain a presence in academia.

In this final section, the speaker addresses the issue of rejections in the academic job market, emphasizing that they are not necessarily reflective of one's abilities or potential. He advises against pursuing a second postdoc solely due to rejections, suggesting that it should only be considered if it adds a new skill set to one's research toolkit. The speaker also discusses the challenges of transitioning back to academia after working in industry, highlighting the importance of maintaining a research presence through publications. He concludes by reiterating the importance of persistence and the value of learning from each application cycle, even if it means facing multiple rejections before securing a position.