“Life After the Ph.D.” How To Land the Post-Doctoral Fellowship of Your Dreams

1. “Life After the Ph.D.”How To Land the Post-Doctoral Fellowship of Your Dreams Donna H. Korzick, Ph.D. Chair, Intercollege Program in Physiology Department of Kinesiology The Pennsylvania State University October 29, 2008 – GWISE Seminar Series

2. Landing a Post-Doctoral Fellowship… • The Search • Is post-doctoral training really necessary? • Finding a good mentor and research environment • The Interview • Preparation for you visit: homework • During your visit: listen and ask questions • The Follow-Up • After your visit: homework • The Negotiation: salary, moving expenses, etc • The Decision

3. How Long Does a Post-Doctoral Experience Last? 2 – 5 years Usually in one place Years 1-2: learn new techniques (tools in the toolbox) low risk project handed to you Years 3-5: high risk project make the project “your own” find YOUR niche Remember: Your #1 competition will be your Ph.D. advisor, find your niche

4. How and Where Do You Find Post-Doctoral Positions? • Advertisements: Science, professional society publications/list serves • Word of Mouth • Academia? • Industry? • Government?

5. Is Post-Doctoral Training Really Necessary? • You betcha…if you want to land a job at a ‘Research I’ institution • Probably not…if you ‘just want to teach’ at a small liberal arts school • Yes… if you’re remotely leaning towards continuing on in science • Yes…if you want to write your ticket and determine your own fate

6. Preparing for the Interview • Get an itinerary beforehand (communicate with the secretary/administrative assistant) • Do your homework • Become familiar with the individuals on your itinerary • Perform a literature search/know their research • Have you been asked to give a seminar? • Obtain information on the type of room in which you will be presenting (large vs small group) • Know your audience and plan ahead

7. Preparing for the Interview, cont. • Dress professionally! • Speak professionally! • Keep your guard up; now is not the time to reveal negative information about your advisor or university • Address those with whom you meet as “Dr.” • Let your personality shine through without being too casual or too pretentious

8. During Your Visit • Listen carefully • To what is said and unsaid • Be attentive • Ask questions of current trainees • examples “What is an average day like in the lab?” “ Do you meet with Dr. _____ often?” “What kind of projects are you working on?”

9. Questions You Should Ask Any Potential Post-Doctoral Mentor • Where will you fit in the general scheme of the lab? • To Whom will you report? your mentor? some middle-management flunky? • How much freedom/flexibility will you have? • What is his/her vision/goals for you?

10. Questions You Should Ask Any Potential Post-Doctoral Mentor, cont. • Low Risk vs High Risk Projects – make them articulate this plan • What is their philosophy on training post-doc’s? • Other career development issues: • Publishing • Grant writing individual NRSA transition awards (NIH KO1, AHA SDG)

11. The Seminar Presentation? • You may or may not be asked to give a seminar. • You will present your thesis work. Make sure you get permission from your current mentor. • Know your audience! Will it be formal or informal? • Don’t take credit for that which is not yours! • Don’t use “cutesy” fonts like comic sands!

12. The Dinner: Social Do’s and Don’ts • Keep your guard up! Now is not the time to weigh in on departmental politics or share negative information about your current mentor – keep it positive. • If you consume alcohol, no more than one drink! • Plan ahead to ask questions, silence is painful: -cost of living? -popular housing developments? -community recreational services -reflect on your day, ask appropriate questions from prior interviews -listen

13. The Follow-Up: After Your Visit • Thank you letter - avoid overly effusive language - be honest with a timeline for your decision • Talk to previous trainees about “what it’s really like” - get names from potential mentor - what they tell you or don’t tell you means alot! • Get input from your current mentor • Get input from senior investigators in the field about the mentor/laboratory

14. How Do You Negotiate An Offer Once a Mentor has been Identified? • Things you should eventually ask about/expect: • - “When and How”do you ask for this stuff? • - Moving Expenses • (this can be done by asking to start your salary one month earlier if moving expenses are not customary) • - Guaranteed two years of support • NIH Stipend: $38,000 (0 years experience) • - Supplemental Pay: cost of living? • - Full Benefit Package • - Travel to at least one meeting/year

15. The Decision: How Do you Select the Perfect Post-Doctoral Mentor? • Follow Your Heart! • Environment/Resources • What is his/her reputation • Big Lab vs Little Lab? Lots of pressure vs less pressure • Pedigree goes a long way and opens doors! • Talk to people at meetings – What kind of reputation does he/she have?

16. Korzick’s Words of Wisdom • Good post-doc’s write their ticket…. • Take advantage of every and any opportunity that comes your way – you’ll never have that much freedom again! • Publish Publish Publish • Get your own NRSA • Get a career development award to take with you! • Demonstrate independence and creativity every chance you get • Always do MORE than you are asked • Don’t be afraid to do something different – nothing is permanent!

17. Career Development Resources from the American Physiological Society: http://www.the-aps.org/trainees/EBsymposia.htm