Preparing for the Job Search
Writing an Effective
Research Statement
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Science and Engineering
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Pennsylvania
When do you need a
Research Statement?
• It is usually requested as part of the job
application process.
• Even if it is not requested, you may
choose to include it to strengthen your
application.
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Pennsylvania
From a position announcement for
a Postdoc:
• Send CV, brief description of
research and teaching interests,
and names and addresses of
three references to:
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Pennsylvania
From a position announcement for
an Assistant Professor:
• Applicants should send a detailed
curriculum vitae, a statement of
their interest in teaching and
planned research and the
names of at least three
references.
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Pennsylvania
From a position announcement for
an Assistant Professor:
• Applicants should submit a letter of
application, a curriculum vita, a statement
of research plan and teaching interests,
and a list of at least three references to:
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Pennsylvania
From a position announcement for
an Assistant Professor:
• Application packet must include: 1)
curriculum vita, including a list of
publications, 2) complete set of official
transcripts, 3) statement of teaching
experience, interests and philosophy, 4)
statement of research interests and
plans, and 5) at least three letters of
reference.
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Pennsylvania
From a position announcement for
a Tenure-Track Professor:
• Applicants should include in their response
a clear statement of their teaching and
research interests, a curriculum vitae
summarizing their educational and
professional backgrounds together with a
list of published works, and the names of
at least four persons who may be
contacted regarding the candidate's
qualifications
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Pennsylvania
Purpose of Research Statement
or Research Summary
It is expected that you will have begun to think coherently
about research beyond your dissertation.
• The research statement tells
– what you have been doing recently and currently,
– in what direction you hope to go,
– how your research contributes to your field.
• Along with your c.v., cover letter and letters of
recommendation, it helps hiring committees assess your
– areas of specialty,
– potential to get grants,
– academic ability,
– compatibility with the department or school.
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Pennsylvania
Write so that you…
• Give a context for your research interests
– Why does it matter?
• Communicate a sense that your research
will follow logically from what you have
done and that it will be different, important,
and innovative
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Pennsylvania
Parts of the Research Statement
• A "Research Summary" combines features
of both the statement of achievements and
current work, and the proposal for
upcoming research because it includes
current aims and findings AND future
goals.
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Future Goals or Research Plans
Include:
• Major problem(s) you wish to attack.
• The problem’s relevance to the field.
• Your specific goals for a 3-5 year period, including
potential outcomes.
• If you know what a particular funding agency funds, you
can name the agency and briefly outline a proposal.
This might convince the reader that you are on the way
to getting a project funded.
• At the same time, you should have research goals that
have broad enough goals so that if one topic doesn't get
funded there are other areas on which you can work.
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How to Make it Effective -- Format
• Use headings (and subheadings), bullets,
and white space.
• Avoid page-long paragraphs.
• It should be1-2 pages long; 3 pages at the
most.
• Get feedback.
• Proofread!!!
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Pennsylvania
How to Make it Effective -- Content
• Write as clearly and concisely as you can.
• What excites you about your research? Sound
fresh.
• Where appropriate, acknowledge the work of
others.
• Use language that shows you’ve begun to think
of yourself as an independent researcher
• If you've identified funding organizations likely to
support your research plans, indicate that.
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Pennsylvania
Preparing for the Interview
• Consider preparing a longer version (5-15
pages) to bring along to the on site interview.
[Check with your advisor to see if this is
necessary.]
• Candidates may be asked to describe research
plans and budget in detail at the campus
interview. Be prepared.
• Include laboratory needs (how much budget you
need for equipment, how many grad assistants
needed, etc.) to start up the research.
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Pennsylvania
Research Proposal
For candidates who are more senior
• Future Goals becomes an expanded Specific
Aims page as required for grant application
• Includes several sections, including an abstract,
a scientific justification, observations (unless the
subject is more theoretical in nature, in which
case the proposed simulation or modeling is
discussed), any historical research/findings that
are significant to the study and a conclusion.
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Pennsylvania
Statement…Summary…Proposal.
What’s the difference?
• The three terms are often used
interchangeably.
• The statement and summary are quite
similar in that they focus on current
research.
– Depending on the position requirements you
may want to say more about what you have
done in a research statement or summary
than in a research proposal.
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Pennsylvania
Sample Research Statements
• Look at those of students/postdocs on the
job market.
• Surf the web to find statements.
• Keep in mind that everyone’s will be different.
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Pennsylvania
Sample Statement of Research Interests
p.1.
Candidate’s Name
• Current Research
• Active Control of Rotorcraft Vibration
• I am currently working with Boeing Helicopters to develop advanced control
techniques for control of rotorcraft vibration, so that the vibration typically
experienced by helicopters can be significantly reduced. My advisor Prof.
XYZ and his former doctoral students developed the X-frame actuator for
those purposes, and I am working on the design and implementation of the
advanced Higher Harmonic Control (HHC) algorithms using ….be flighttested in 2002.
• Active Control of Noise Radiated from Underwater Vehicles
• I have worked with Northrop Grumman Corp. and Materials Systems Inc. to
develop new technology for the reduction of radiated noise from vibrating
underwater vehicles using smart structures technologies. This project has
been funded by the Office of Naval Research, with an objective of
developing “smart” underwater vehicle systems so that the enemy cannot
detect …The new sensing method is numerically validated on a thick-walled
cylindrical shell with 55 piezoelectric panels mounted.
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• Future Research Goals
p. 2
• My future research goal is to develop “intelligent structural systems”, from
the micro-scales (MEMS) to macro-scales (aerospace systems and
underwater vehicles), which will… For this research goal, I will focus on the
following three research areas. First, I will carry out research on
structure/fluid/control interaction phenomena …will be critical design issues
in those complex structural systems, both in micro- and macro- scales, so
the fundamental understanding of the phenomena is very important to
successful implementation of the structural/acoustic control algorithms.
Second, I will extend my specialization in smart structures technologies to
the development of advanced sensors and actuators for intelligent
…integrated within the systems will be critical in future areas of research.
Finally, I will continue my research on advanced control and decision-making
algorithms for noise and vibration reduction of complex structural systems…
Career Services, University of
Pennsylvania
Getting Help with Your Job Search
• Your advisor and other faculty
• Your scholarly/professional association
• Career Services (Suite 20, McNeil Building, 3718 Locust
Walk)
– Critiques of job hunting materials
– Confidential appointments on your career
– Workshops and speaker programs
– www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices
– E-mail distribution list of career information and
position announcements
• ScienceCareers– The Academic Scientist’s Toolkit
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/
articles/0000/the_academic_scientists_toolkit/
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Pennsylvania