Читать книгу The Academic Job Search Handbook - Jennifer S. Furlong - Страница 18

Chapter 8

Responding to Position Announcements

When you apply for any college or university teaching position, you will be asked to submit a “curriculum vitae,” a “vita,” a “CV,” or occasionally a “resume.” These terms apply to the same document, which is a summary of your education, experience, publications, and other relevant data. In addition, some other common materials you may be asked for in applications include a research statement, a statement of your teaching philosophy, a writing sample that could be a chapter of your dissertation or an entire published research paper, “evidence of successful teaching,” a diversity statement, and a dissertation abstract. Even if a website is not a required part of an application, members of the hiring committee may check your presence online. Some colleges and universities may require that you complete an online application form via the institution’s human resources website to accompany your other materials.

Interpreting the Announcement

As you start to read announcements from institutions that interest you, you will find common terms you should be familiar with to best understand what is being requested and the conditions or context of employment. Terms such as “Open Rank” or “Evidence of Excellence in Teaching” should not be mysterious in their implications for your potential candidacy. At the end of this chapter are annotated announcements with descriptions of commonly used terminology.

What is required of an application package varies from field to field and type of institution. Check with your department to make sure that what you are sending is within the conventions of your field. Occasionally, job announcements ask you to “send dossier.” This term does not have a standard meaning. You can usually assume that what is required is a cover letter, CV, and letters of recommendation. Sometimes a list of coursework or an official transcript is also required. Be guided by your department’s advice about what is usual in your field. Probably the only way to be absolutely certain about what is desired by a given department that has used a vague phrase in its ad is to contact the administrative staff person for the department with your direct inquiry.

Sometimes application is a two-stage process, in which applicants initially send basic information and some are further requested to send additional materials, such as a dissertation chapter or letters of recommendation. Use discretion in sending supporting materials that have not been requested. If you send extra materials explain in your cover letter why you have done so.

The sample job descriptions provided here come from a range of fields in order to give candidates a sense of how search committees express their needs. Just as individuals vary in their goals, strengths, and values, so do institutions and departments. In the sample job announcements below, you will see the wide variety of calls for faculty hires: breadth in the types of institutions, missions, and even documents requested to evaluate candidates. Introductory commentary is provided to clarify terms and point out unique features, as well as to give advice.

Sample One: History Postdoctoral Fellow Position

This advertisement for a humanities postdoctoral position offers the opportunity to conduct research, teach, and lead faculty workshops at a small, private liberal arts institution. It specifies that innovation in teaching is expected, and that candidates should explain how their research would complement the existing work of the department. Candidates are asked to speak to their ability to contribute to campus goals of diversity. Applications are to be submitted directly to the department, not to the institution’s website.

The Department of History, M College, in City, State, invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellow, with a particular emphasis on pedagogical innovation. The fellowship is funded by the XYZ Foundation and begins August 1, 20XX. Candidates must complete the Ph.D. by September 1, 20XX, and should be no more than three years out of their doctorate. This is a half-time teaching position with salary and benefits of a full-time assistant professor. The fellow will teach three courses during the academic year 20XX–20XX and two courses in 20XX–20XX. The reduced teaching load is designed to support innovation in teaching and on-going professional research. Some funds to support scholarly work are also available. M College is a highly selective liberal arts college and will provide an excellent climate for professional development and scholarship.

We seek historians of the western Mediterranean between 300 and 1650 C.E., with strong preferences for those who study Spain before 1500. The following areas of specialization are of particular interest: interfaith relations, the Mediterranean world, and/or the Atlantic world. We anticipate a close integration of this position among programs in History and Classical and Medieval Studies, so applicants should explain how their own work might complement some of the work of relevant members of these departments. The successful candidate must be interested in, and will conduct faculty workshops on, innovative teaching and research. The department recognizes that innovation can take many forms. Some possibilities could include techniques in the digital humanities; methods for attracting diverse groups to the study of history; pedagogies focused on different learning styles; creative ways of structuring assignments and the use of classroom time; techniques for connecting student learning to wider local and global communities; or creative approaches to promoting student engagement and interest in History at College M. The college, the History Department, and the Classical and Medieval Studies Program are committed to enhancing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum. The search committee expects candidates who can contribute to this goal to identify their strengths and experiences in this area.

Applicants should submit electronically, in PDF format, to __________, Project Specialist, at academicservices@mcolleege.edu, a letter of application, C.V., writing sample, teaching statement, and three letters of recommendation. Please include your last name and Job#__________ in the subject line of all submissions. Consideration of applications will begin on March 17, 20XX, and continue until the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. For more information about the college, please visit our website: __________.

Sample Two: Anthropology Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track Position

Below is an advertisement for tenure-track assistant professor in social science at private research university. Field research and the ability to “complement” or bring something new to the department’s areas of expertise is stressed. This announcement is very specific about the requirements for written materials, including writing samples. Note: a précis in this context is a summary or abstract. Candidates must apply through a website to be considered, and that “early application is encouraged” suggests that applications will be reviewed as they come in.

The University of Z, Department of Anthropology intends to add a faculty member in sociocultural anthropology at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track). The appointment will begin in the fall term of 20XX. We seek a scholar with an active, ongoing program of field research that complements our current departmental strengths. Ph.D. must be in hand prior to appointment. Applicants are required to apply online at the University of Z’s website at __________. Applications are required to include: (1) a current curriculum vitae, including the names and contact information of at least four referees; (2) a cover letter that describes your research and teaching profile, as well as your professional plans for the next 3 to 5 year period; and (3) a one-page précis of your dissertation or most recently published monograph, as well as one to two writing samples (such as dissertation chapters, journal articles or book chapters). The application deadline is October 15, 20XX. Early application is strongly encouraged.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status or status as an individual with disability. The University of Z is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Disabled / Veterans Employer.

Sample Three: Data Science/Data Analytics, Open Rank Position

This position is an open rank call, which sometimes confuses candidates. The search committee is soliciting applications from candidates at all levels, and will determine the level at which they will hire based on the strengths of the applications it receives. Candidates should specify in their letter the rank at which they would expect to be appointed. Note also that candidates should clearly address their plans for funding their research. The search committee also prescribes that candidates should submit only a CV, a short statement of research and teaching interests, and the names and contact information of references—other materials will be requested of candidates who move forward to the next stage of the selection process. This is not an uncommon practice. Job candidates should always be prepared to send additional materials such as the ones listed here on short notice.

X University’s School of Communication and Information Studies (see website: __________) is soliciting applications for scholars involved in the broad and evolving spaces of data science/data analytics to join its renowned and interdisciplinary faculty. These positions are open rank, and we specifically encourage graduating doctoral students, senior assistant professors, and recently tenured faculty to apply.

We seek entrepreneurial colleagues with a passion for innovative scholarship, a desire to work with others on interdisciplinary projects, and enthusiasm for teaching. The school has seven degree programs and an enrollment of 50 doctoral students, 650 master’s students and 650 undergraduates, led by 42 full-time faculty and over 100 part-time faculty.

The school is at the cutting edge of scholarship and instruction. The school hosts five research centers and laboratories and faculty with recognized strengths in natural language processing, information retrieval, Internet governance and telecommunications policy, digital literacy, information management, information and network security, new forms of work and organizing, gamification, data science, entrepreneurship, and social media. There are campus-level initiatives on computational linguistics, sustainability, and urban education, along with strategic partnerships with major corporations. The ADVANCE program provides extensive mentoring services for female faculty in STEM disciplines. The school has the facilities required for complex, fast analysis of large data sets, has large data-storage capabilities, and is home of a qualitative data repository.

Qualifications: A completed Ph.D. in a relevant field of study is required. We will also consider outstanding ABD’s with a strong expectation of successful dissertation defense by 20XX.

Responsibilities: The school seeks colleagues who can deepen and extend our emerging strengths in data science. We see this as a broad area that spans the following: visualization of large data sets and analytic approaches to large and often heterogeneous data sets; developing tools and approaches for scientific collaboration, and for data access and retrieval; computational social science involving large-scale quantitative data, examining large-scale online social configurations; and other possible areas emphasizing large-scale data and its analysis and representation.

The ability to obtain research funding will be considered a competitive advantage in our evaluations, as will evidence of teaching excellence. A record of publishing impactful scholarship is expected. Although rank and years of experience are open, we will consider outstanding ABDs with a strong expectation of a successful dissertation defense by 20XX.

Application Instructions: To be considered, applicants must submit: a cover letter outlining their interests and qualifications (including the rank they are seeking); a current curriculum vitae; short statements describing research and teaching interests and accomplishments; and the names and contact information of at least three references to the following website: __________. Strong candidates will be contacted for letters of reference and asked to provide research samples and a teaching portfolio or other evidence of teaching experience. Please do not submit these items with the initial application.

We will begin screening applicants on 2 April, 20XX and continue accepting applications until the positions are filled, which may extend into the 20XX–20XX academic year. Please direct questions to Dr. Name, search chair, name @__________.edu

Sample Four: Materials Engineering, Tenure-Track Position

It is no surprise that this very small and highly selective private liberal arts college expects to hire a candidate with demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence. Those applying for faculty positions in materials science are likely to apply mainly to universities, so it is crucial to shift gears to show in one’s application materials strong interest in connecting with and mentoring students. Note that applicants are expected to “explicitly describe the nature of their commitment and experience with underrepresented groups in the cover letter.” At the same time, while practical or industry experience is not required, the announcement includes engaging students in consulting or professional development as well as research. In addition, while the appointment for this position will likely be at the assistant professor level, the search committee will also consider experienced candidates.

R College invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Materials Engineering. As a premier undergraduate general engineering program, the Department of Engineering seeks candidates with experience and knowledge in applications of materials science who can support a broadly based curriculum focused on design, systems engineering, and engineering science. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in materials engineering or a related field, and a demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence. Industrial or other practical experience in the field is valued but not required. The anticipated appointment is at the assistant professor level.

Teaching duties include the department’s required course in materials engineering, participation on teaching teams in the design or systems engineering sequences, supervising sponsored projects in the Engineering Clinic program, and developing courses in the applicant’s area of specialty. Candidates should provide evidence of excellence in teaching and an interest in engaging with undergraduate students in research, consulting, or other forms of professional development. Candidates must be committed to teaching and mentoring a diverse student population, particularly groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering; candidates from these groups are encouraged to apply. All candidates are encouraged to explicitly describe the nature of their commitment and experience with underrepresented groups in the cover letter.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, statements of teaching philosophy and research and/or other professional development interests, and names of at least three references to the following website: __________. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 15, 20XX. For further information, contact materialssearch@__________.edu.

R College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the recruitment of candidates traditionally underrepresented on college faculties.

Sample Five: Sculpture, Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track Position

This advertisement for a tenure-track professor of arts at a liberal arts college asks candidates to discuss their work in relation to the liberal arts college setting—using a form letter sent out to many institutions is unlikely to work in this instance. The search committee is also very specific about the types of documents it would like to see, including student work, which may take time for a candidate to compile if he or she has not been doing so already. Candidates are also asked to weave considerations of cultural, academic, and experiential diversity throughout and should do this thoughtfully in the letter, the teaching philosophy, and the statement describing their artistic practice. Because institutions often ask for this type of information, whether in a separate statement or addressed throughout their dossier, job candidates in all fields should reflect on these questions of diversity both before and as they prepare their materials.

Position Title: Assistant Professor of Art in Sculpture

Field Group: Studio Art and Art History

Position Description:

Z College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Art in Sculpture to begin Fall 20XX. The successful applicant will have an active professional practice, an in-depth knowledge of contemporary art and theory, and will demonstrate excellence in the teaching of sculpture at the undergraduate level. A course load of five courses per year will include introductory and advanced courses, independent studies and critiques as part of the Art major, and First Year Seminars. We are particularly interested in applicants who are familiar with traditional and contemporary practices, including emerging interdisciplinary media and whose art intersects with environmentalism and community engagement. Interest in and ability to teach specialized seminars in the broader social and historical dimensions of sculpture, and to contribute to the ancillary programming connected to the Z College Art Galleries, is a plus.

Z College has a strong institutional commitment to diversity in all areas and strongly encourages candidates from underrepresented groups. We favor candidates who can contribute to the College’s distinctive educational objectives which promote interdisciplinary perspectives, intercultural understanding, and concern with social responsibility and the ethical implications of knowledge and action. Z College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. For the successful applicant with the relevant interests, affiliations are possible with the intercollegiate departments of Africana Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicano/Latino Studies, and or Women’s Studies.

Qualifications: MFA, including two or more years of full-time teaching experience beyond graduate school, and experience in supervising facilities and students in a sculpture studio.

Application Requirements

1) An application profile and three letters of recommendation must be submitted through this application site;

2) The following documentation must be uploaded via SlideRoom.

• Letter of interest, including description of approach to teaching sculpture in an undergraduate, liberal arts college

• Curriculum vitae

• Statement describing artistic practice

• Teaching philosophy

• Portfolio including 20 images of candidate’s work and 20 examples of student work;

3) Within their applications, candidates should address how their cultural, experiential, and/or academic background contributes to the understanding of diversity at the College.