Purpose
The Seminar Series on Academic Job Search is designed to help increase the placement of our graduates
in academic positions by introducing them to the mechanics of the job search process. The series consists of
a number of one-hour talks that share the perspective of different stakeholders in the process.
The primary target audience are third-year and later PhD students as well as postdoctoral fellows in the
College of Engineering and Architecture. However, attendance is open to all interested.
The Series is sponsored by WSU ESI Center, School of EECS, and College of Engineering and Architecture.
Please share your comments and questions with Ali Mehrizi-Sani at
Format and Topics
The Series includes five one-hour seminars, each on a Tuesday, 11:00 to noon, spread over the course of the academic year (current year is 2013-14). Currently planned seminars are the following:-
Candidate's Perspective.
October 8, 2013
Dr. Ali Mehrizi-Sani, Assistant Professor.
Abstract: The purpose of job search is to first find the job that best suits you and then to convince the employer to hire you for that job. Dr. Mehrizi-Sani shares his experience and perspective as a recent hire who has just been through the academic job search process. This talk discusses the timeline for a successful job search, where to look for positions, and what documents to prepare, e.g., teaching statement, research statement, CV, and cover letter. This talk provides hints on the preparing for the campus and phone interviews and finally negotiating the job offer. The talk also discusses job expectations for different types of universities. Poster
| 2,564 KB | Oct 4, 2013
Slides | 2,216 KB | Originally posted Oct. 8, 2013, updated on Feb. 28, 2014
Cover Letter | 181 KB | Oct. 8, 2013
Research Statement | 56 KB | Oct. 8, 2013
Teaching Statement | 65 KB | Oct. 8, 2013
(The password was included in the email I sent on Oct. 17, 2013, to the mailing list. Please let me know if you didn't receive that email.)
- Senior Faculty's Perspective.
November 5, 2013
Dr. Chen-Ching Liu, Director of the ESI Center and Boeing Distinguished Professor.
Abstract: The purpose of this seminar is to discuss strategies and techniques for successful proposals to various funding agencies. A successful proposal should have a clear goal, innovations and impact of the work, strategy to achieve the goal, feasibility of the work, and how the work will be completed. To communicate the proposed work to (busy) reviewers, one needs to write effectively with the reviewers in mind. Chen-Ching will share his experience about strengths and weaknesses of proposals he has handled over years for various agencies. He will also share his own experience in successes and failures in submitting proposals. Poster | 5,634 KB | Nov. 5, 2013
Slides | 92 KB | Nov. 5, 2013
- Chair's Perspective. November 19, 2013
Dr. Behrooz Shirazi, Director of the School of EECS and Huie-Rogers Chair Professor.
Abstract: This seminar will present the perspective of a chair in the hiring process and the important criteria that is sought in a successful candidate. The seminar will be highly interactive; it will start with a brief introduction and then the format will change to a question/answer session. Poster | 1,285 KB | Nov. 19, 2013
Slides | 277 KB | Nov. 19, 2013
- Search Committee's Perspective.
February 11, 2014
Dr. David Field, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Engineering and Architecture and Professor.
Abstract: The job of the search committee is three-fold: 1. to identify the type of faculty member to hire (in consultation with the Dept. Chair and the faculty members), 2. to determine and execute a strategy to reach a diverse pool of qualified individuals (get them to apply), and 3. to identify the candidates that are most likely to be successful in the department and bring them to campus for an interview. The process often involves examination of dozens and sometimes hundreds of applications that must be individually scored and/or ranked by members of the committee for future review of the HR department. While the required effort is significant, the task is one of the most important jobs that is done by faculty members as it directly impacts the composition and strength of the department for years into the future. Poster | 1,285 KB | Feb. 11, 2014
Slides | 277 KB | Feb. 11, 2014
Faculty Recruitment Checklist | 172 KB | Feb. 11, 2014
Announcements
03/23/2014: Slides for the fourth seminar posted.
02/05/2014: Poster for the fourth seminar posted.
11/18/2013: Slides and posters for the second and third seminars posted.
10/16/2013: Slides and other documents for the first seminar posted.
10/04/2013: Information for the first seminar posted.
07/30/13: Website created.