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[aysecik]

Hello

I have a question for the engineering/science crowd. It appears pretty routine to have a "proposed research talk" in campus interviews. One university said there would be a "round table" for which I might want to prepare some slides. I have heard it called "chalk talk" as well, but maybe I messed up the search or the words end up being too vague, the concept being called too many things. Do you have any suggestions on the format/style of such presentations?

I have put a lot of thought into what I would like to pursue - a decent idea on where the literature stands, immerdiate/short term projects, longer term projects, what can lead to potential collaborations (customizable for various schools potentially)... But it would be great to have an idea on what to organize it around. Also, how much detail is needed in slides? Some potential options that come to mind:

1. Start with an approach/vision of how, then look into key applications/problems solved. Give a few specifics.
2. Start with what problem you aim to solve (save the world), then which sub-problem for each of three fields, then how.
3. Start with preliminary data/your research for those who missed the seminar, then connect?

So many options! Do you have any suggestions or preferences?

Thanks so much for your help!

[copper]

We torture candidates with chalk talks -- no slides allowed.

The best versions of these are where the candidate has thought clearly about grant proposals (2, maybe 3).  They know their target funding agency and program and what is attractive about their project to the funder.

They are successful when they turn out sort of like a dissertation proposal defense -- we try to give feedback/suggestions, explore what avenues the candidate may not have thought about, look for collaborations, talk about other opportunities, etc.  Candidates who reject all criticism are viewed poorly, even more so than candidates without precisely described plans (as long as these vague plans are tied to strong questions).

If you do have slides, I'd guess you only want a couple per potential project (e.g., diagram of a key model you want to test, or outline of the experiments).  We actually like people who can draw the key diagram on the board on the fly.  The real point is for there to be an interactive discussion, not for you to give another seminar.

--Cu.

[aysecik]

Thank you so much, this is super helpful! I appreciate knowing what the structure of the discussion will be like. Maybe some big ideas in the beginning (motivation: Save the world! Approach: The best stuff that noone else knows how to do) and then move on to some specific proposals... 2-3 immediate, specific ones including target agencies and lab needs, and 2-3 overall wider fields for longer term? I appreciate the idea of discussion and exchange of information. I almost wish for a chalk talk by the way - I see a lot of people in my field who spend a ridiculous amount of time on pretty graphics, and I don't necessarily think that is the best use of my time. Though then again, works for proposals so maybe I'd better get used to it.

For the record, I am happy to hear people who are open to ideas are viewed better... It is so not my style (I am an excitable person, so I am always happy to hear suggestions and expand on them. That is why research, especially collaborative research, is so exciting to me). But I see these people who are so incredibly sure and confident... I wonder if that is what impresses people. It is funny, but I know some people who just buy into someone who acts that way, many people in fact. It has been a long running worry and grievance for me. So thank you for saying that.

Thank you once again for your help and advice!

[aysecik]

If anyone is still interested, I have some info on the format so maybe it will help someone out there. Apparently it should be a 10-15 min presentation, with your motivation (what problem are you solving?), vision, and a few specific projects and maybe some long term goals. The rest of the hour is faculty questioning you - so prepare for it. I hope it helps - I can put an update out when I go through my first interview.

[mb12345]

Hi ,

I have a question for my upcoming campus interview next month related to this discussion. I will be giving a seminar about my future directions and teaching goals during the 2nd day of my interview, and I am wondering whether contacting with a potential collaborator ( who happens to be at a different department and college) is appropriate? I am also thinking about suggesting this person's name to the SCC before my interview, so that he/she may be present in my talks and may give some feedback about my presentation to the SC. My area is very specific and important, my research addresses some of the challenges involved in this technology , and ultimately my research goals may help make this technology move forward, and help to cure a specific disease which is a very common disease.

I would appreciate your comments in advance. Thank you very much.

[aysecik]

Hi mb,

So I am only a job-seeker (no inside information here), but in most interview arrangements I had, I was asked if I wanted to meet anyone from other departments. I said yes - they arranged it for one and did not have time for the other. Another school said that if they like me, there will be a second interview where I would meet people from other departments. But all that makes me think that it is ok, even sort of expected, for at least someone in my field/situation (very interdisciplinary background as well as research plans) to be interested in meeting faculty from other departments/schools and discuss possibilities of collaboration. However, faculty from other departments were not in my future research talks (one came to my seminar). One also told me to "ask her what I would ask someone who will not have to give her opinion on me for the search" (essentially), so other department faculty have no say in the hiring decision, at least in this case. That said, it is good to have an idea who you want to work with. I was asked that explicitly in interviews.

I hope this helps!

[mb12345]

Thank you aysecik. This really helps. Then, I should probably contact with the potential collaborator.