Guidance for Academic Applications

This document contains a bullet-point summary of the discussion on the guidance for academic applications, highlighting some important points that should be considered in the academic application process. It is based on the discussion during the GWECS event with:

  1. Preparing Your CV
  • Tailor your CV to the position by showing interest in the group or institute. Research their work and incorporate relevant details.
  • List your strong traits in the beginning: e.g. awards, fellowships or a summary of the impact of your scientific work.
  • Academic CVs have no length limit; include everything relevant. For industry applications, highlight skills aligned with the job requirements.
  • Use publicly available CVs of academics as examples to structure yours effectively.
  • Clearly present your key contributions to a publication or a project that has a long list of co-authors or collaborators, such as collaboration publications or projects.
  1. Reference Letters
  • Reference letters are crucial. Select referees who are familiar with your work, have detailed insight into it, and are also credible in the field.
  • Select referees who are known and trusted within the community to inspire confidence.
  • In large collaborations, referees should emphasize your specific contributions to the work.
  • Balance your referees: while postdocs directly supervising your work can provide detailed insights, avoid having all referees from the same level.
  1. Cover Letters
  • Cover letters are a matter of courtesy; it shows your interest in the position.
  • The importance of cover letters depends on the position:
    • For postdoc positions, they are less critical but should still summarize your achievements and potential contributions.
    • For faculty positions, cover letters are vital. Highlight your experience, future goals, and how you will contribute to the group or institute.
  • Think of the cover letter as an abstract for your CV — a concise and compelling overview that highlights key aspects of your profile. Instead of repeating details from your CV or research statement, use the cover letter to present a cohesive narrative that ties your experiences and goals together.
  1. Balancing Past Research and Future Work
  • For postdocs:
    • Strike a balance between past achievements and future plans (50/50).
    • Focus on key skills and contributions relevant to the position.
  • For senior positions:
    • Prioritize aspects that excite the hiring committee and align with the group’s needs.
    • Faculty applications may require more tailored research plans. Seek insights from mentors or use your network to refine your focus.
  1. Publications
  • There is no strict requirement for the number of first-author papers, but having a solid publication record demonstrates expertise.
    • If there is a reason why your publication record does not meet typical expectations, it is helpful to proactively provide an explanation. For example, if you are involved in long-term experiments within smaller collaborations, it can be challenging to publish papers with a short author list where you hold a leading or prominent position.
  • Highlight key publications in your CV, either in a separate section (“Key Contributions”) or by marking significant papers in your list.
  • Broad topics are often advantageous, especially for fellowships, as funders value the ability to generate and pursue new ideas.
  1. Teaching Experience
  • Teaching is less critical for postdoc applications but becomes important for faculty roles. Some experience is beneficial.
  • As a graduate student or a postdoc, seek opportunities to teach in a class and/or in a workshop/school to build your teaching experience
  • For teaching statements:
    • Outline relevant experience and identify courses you are qualified to teach.
    • Be authentic about your enthusiasm for teaching, especially if you aspire to a faculty role.
  1. Additional Considerations
  • Inquire about the position and the local environment before you write your application, and definitely before you go for the interview! It shows true interest and also helps you tailor your application better.
  • Fit with Position: The relevance of your background to the position varies. Some roles require closely aligned experience, while others value diverse perspectives.
  • Proposal for PhD Applicants: Proposals are not typically expected. Instead, summarize past research and provide context for your skills.
  • Interviews:
    • Demonstrate enthusiasm and preparation. Highlight your interest in the position and ask thoughtful questions.
    • Use the final opportunity in the interview to ask questions—it shows engagement and curiosity.
  • Networking:
    • Utilize your network for insights and recommendations. Reaching out to potential collaborators or DEI representatives can provide valuable guidance.