Competing for an Academic Position in Chemistry Edwin S. Gwid Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242 The young PhD or postdoctoral worker seeking a first college or university position in chemistry during the late '80's faces a job market different from that encountered by his or her' mentor a decade or more aeo. - With few excentions, industrial and government laboratories are expanding modestly or not a t all, whereas the supply of people with recent research degrees shows no signs of abating. Although the pay differential between academic and industry persists, relatively more young scientists are finding the security and freedom associated with an educational institution attractive. In addition, academic openings are now more widely advertised (in some cases, by statute) than ever before. ~~
University, College, Or?
Since predoctoral training, postdoctoral training, or hoth are generally obtained a t a department exhibiting strength in several areas of research, this is the environment with which the candidate is likely to be most familiar. When an onenine occurs at such an "academic research center", the &ivers>y will seek an investigator who can organize a program that will attract a sizable group of graduate students, generate a continuous flow of quality publications in international journals, and secure significant outside long-term funding. A four-year college, or one with a small MS program, will, on the other hand, be interested mainly in how well the candidate can contribute to teaching its courses, but the stronger institutions of this type will not consider someone who can do onlv that. He must also have enoueh ideas to direct the work of people who are getting their first taste of laboratorv research. Between lie many departments with research programs of moderate size. ~ a c ihf these seeks to imurove its scholarlv reputation by enhancing the research ouiput of its faculty; pa~tirularlythat of its junior members. The candidate can judge the rommitment to research at a aivcn "~-~universitv bv consultine the ACS Director? of Craduate Research, whe"reas the magnitude of classroom bfferings in colleees mav be assessed from College " - Chemistry Faculties.' Currently, postdoctoral experience may be considered a reouisite for virtuallv all tenure-track nositions in chemistry except for those atvery small schoolsand junior colleges. Several years' experience as a laboratory or recitation section instructor is especially desirable, particularly for applicants to four-year colleges. Usually the candidate will be contacting schools a t which the research effort is significantly less intense and the facilities more modest that what he has experienced at his traininginstitutions. In compensation, however, remember that a high level of support goes hand in hand with high expectations. An affluent department will expect each member eventually to contribute to its resources. The lnltlal Selection Process. Descriptions of Research Plans and Educational Objectives Depending upon specialty, several dozen to over 100 candidates may apply for a nationally advertised opening. Since only a few of these can he interviewed, survival through the preliminary screening process is critical. A neatly presented comprehensive resume (often professionally prepared), one or more glowing letters of recommendation from respected research advisors,bnd a list of publications (including those
accepted but not yet released), although necessarv, are no longer sufficient. ~woadditionalessentials are wriken summaries of (a! the applicant's research plans and ( t l ) his educational nhilosoohv. These should be suhmitted. alone with the initia'l lette~ofapplication(the "cover letter"), wcether or not the tareet school has asked for them. since search committees w i i not necessarily seek additional information a t this stage. Special attention should be devoted to the cover letter, for it presents the initial impression of the candidate. Although brief, it should indicate whv the candidate is suited for ;he job in question. Some "tailorine" may be necessary. An applicant near the phyaical-analytic interface, for example, will want LO emphasize his plans for analytically oriented projects when applying for nn analytical position but strejs more theoretically oriented plans for an opening in physiral chemistry. A description nf research plans should deal with more than one line of effort. Typically, one major project may be selected berause of its broad scientific significance and potential to attract funding, a second may he directed toward rapid publishable reiults, and a third may be included because it is adaptable to the abilities of undergraduates. Applicants to a major university may submit all three sections; those to a smaller school may wish to emphasize the more modest goals consistent with the resources at band. I t is highly advantageous that the projects chosen be distinctly different from those carried out hy the candidate as a graduate student or as a postdoctoral fellow. Here, as later, it will be asked if he has ideas of his own or whether he is simulv extendine the work of his mentor. For a school commitied tu research, the plan(s! should emphasize the rnndidate's exoertise, knowledge of detail. and assessment of fundability.kor four-year sc
