All views expressed here are experiences/opinions of two people, and intended only for information, not practical appli

1. All views expressed here are experiences/opinions of two people, and intended only for information, not practical application

3. How do you know if you’re ready • Ask your PI - their opinion is the only one that matters! • If you think you’re ready, but they don’t, convince them • Theoretical requirement: ability to initiate and sustain an independent research PROGRAM • Practical requirement: sustained success in publishing and funding (optional, but highly preferred) • Nature/Science/Cell NOT required • A single one of those, or a few others

4. Before applying • At all steps, ask people you know that just went through it for their input and templates • Apply for funding: ability to get published and funded = most important factor • Compile ideas for research proposal - start early! • “Transition-to-independence” grants (US = K99 ; EU = ERC starting grant) • If you get one, you’re nearly guaranteed a job, so why not try? • If you don’t get one, don’t let it stop you from applying for faculty positions

5. Applying • Conferences: the smaller the better • Tell EVERYONE you meet at conferences (and anyone else that will listen) that you’re looking • its not awkward, they’ve all done it • some jobs are not advertised (ESPECIALLY in Europe) • Cold emails to department chairs are fine but unlikely to work - send cover letter and CV • If you mentors can help spread the word, super!

6. Applying • Build a website, write a research (2-5pgs) and teaching proposal (1pg) • Think of research proposal as “real” grant application - 3 aims, sub-aims, figures to demonstrate feasibility and expertise • tight working hypothesis, significance, coherence, fundability • far-reaching but not fantastical • I included potential collaborators here in predefined spots

7. Applying • Apply for EVERYTHING (Nature, Cell, Science, Chronicle of Higher Ed, ASCB, ASBMB, academicjobsonline.org, Simply Hired) – tailor cover letters • no cost ; all upside • graduate-school.phds.org/rankings • Remind references (3-5) early and often, including deadlines, etc

11. Timing • Rigid schedule based off academic year • calls = late August - mid October • interview invitations = late October - mid December (will hear from very few “No”) • interviews = Jan-Feb (can be as early as Oct – prepare early!) • Notifications/negotiations = Feb-March • start in August

12. Timing and interviews • Interviews are exhausting 2-day blab-fests • 30-45min talks w up to 20 people • Previous research seminar (90% old stuff/10% new stuff) and a “chalk talk” (10%/90%) • Emphasize collaborations and “fit” • Know the expectations from the department – format, audience etc. • Be confident and polite • Every minute onsite is interview • Be prepared to talk about family – although not legal to ask

13. Timing and interviews • About 3-6 candidates/job, so interview ≠ guaranteed job • Experience comes from practice – real or mock • Medical school vs basic science departments are VERY different • salary support, teaching, colleagues, PhD students

14. Job Offers • What is included in the offer (get all in writing)? • Start-up money • Your salary (what percentage and for how long?) • Lab space • Grad students / technicians? • How much teaching? Protected time? • Tenure process: how long? when does clock start? • Access to core facilities? Cost? • Personal issues - family, quality of life, cost of living, etc

15. Negotiating Offers • Detailed budgets vs large chunks of cash • Specific and budgets help justify expenses • Add up everything you think you’ll need, then double it • Can negotiate EVERYTHING on previous page • Also lab renovations and timeline • Often a second visit is to hammer out details and figure out living situations - this time they’re recruiting YOU

16. Finalizing Offers • Usually 30 days to make final decision • Have all details in writing in the final offer - you want to know the realities of what you’re comparing • An email or phone call seals the deal, signatures are formalities

17. After you get it • Start thinking about independent grants right away. Not applying, just gathering ideas/data/directions • 3 aims with 2-3 sub-aims per aim • 1 figure/sub-aim to demonstrate that you can do what you propose • NO unvalidated screens • “Borrow” as many useful reagents/protocols/cell lines/plasmids/etc as possible from your lab and coworkers • For two weeks, go through your normal experiments and write down EVERYTHING you use • these will be the things you MUST have to get started • Start-up package ~ $1M (including your salary for a couple of years)

18. Starting up • Do not be in a huge rush to hire: bad hire = BIG mistake • Nature Jobs is free and will get you 100s of applicants • HUGE new lab discounts (up to 50%) available from all vendors • senior technician may be a useful first hire, as they know ordering/equipment/how to deal with vendors/etc • For budgeting, add 25% to salaries for benefits • ~$50-100K for start-up equipment and supplies • then around $20-25K/yr/researcher for consumable

19. Good luck!! • Feel free to contact me: • Ilya = Ilya.Levental@uth.tmc.edu ; 713-500-5566