Faculty interviews—traps and tips

The year was 1995, and I a postdoc working to develop low-temperature near-field scanning optical microscope study exciton charge spin transport in nanostructures. It my third of the appointment, had some nice results that got me an invited talk at APS March Meeting half dozen faculty interviews.Like nearly all candidates, forced think about what wanted do with career longer term as independent researcher. techniques developed were still new significantly different from PhD research, which on sliding charge-density waves their nonlinear dynamics, so it felt natural consider other systems could investigate using similar approaches. decided focus spatiotemporal behavior ferroelectric materials. But beyond that, only vague idea going do. never done any actual research such materials, although read many papers them, time involved trekking library night journal articles printed real paper.Unfortunately, deeply mistaken notion get by appointment interview cursory plan attack assuring recruiters would “figure out” along way. Not surprisingly, bombed after interview. talks usually went OK, but when came discussion plan, struggled provide details. By 1995 around, already botched five interviews. attended meeting dread, knowing remaining interview, possibly last chance become professor, scheduled for following week.Like most others, University Pittsburgh two-day affair, first day reserved seminar few meetings second filled one-on-one discussions, where inevitably be questioned plan. well, sleep slight irritation throat. next morning, voice gone. full-on case laryngitis.My future colleagues Pitt exceedingly kind understanding. Instead being peppered questions, served soothing herbal tea honey. distinctly remember gazing helplessly two search committee members they discussed fate, right front me. Maybe thought since couldn’t speak, also hear saying. One them really ask details proposed program. defending me, saying sympathetically, “Oh, I’m sure he has good plan.”And that’s how offer Pittsburgh.I have participated searches over past 25 years, am confident self not been selected those committees. two-talk format is commonplace nowadays. Faculty give one based prior focusing “five-year plan.” understand why hiring process structured way: hires constitute huge investment, committees need convinced successful candidate can build program clearly articulated themes initial projects.Here’s advice who populate committees: Remember span 30–40 years. When you are evaluating plans your rewarding whose ideas border adventurous. A balanced portfolio, mixing high-certainty paths less certain outcomes, likely indicator colleague’s long-term success. And hire person, make support successful.My postdocs interviewing positions follow path did. Formulate ready articulate defend it. At same time, aware easy trapped own expertise “polaron.” early stage will patterns set motion. receive tenure, may hard maneuver away “expected” colleagues, broader community, yourself. tried avoid trap: Since joining Pitt, ventured into several areas initially no exposure. Did rookie mistakes beginning adventures? Every time. outsider, eventually brought insight perspective fields.So once job, look up around. You might inspired paper or heard Meeting, come direction seems much more interesting compelling than Don’t afraid embrace ideas, change course, expand horizons, work expert. Both field better off because it.© 2023 American Institute Physics.