'How Not to Get a Postdoc'
21/11/10 18:12 Filed in: GenomeWeb Daily Scan
Submitted by S. Pelech - Kinexus on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 18:12.
I have interviewed a lot of graduate students and post-doctoral trainees over the last 24 years, and it is truly amazing the diversity of application letters that I have received. Unfortunately, most graduate student applicants just want to get accepted into a lab, and they don't really much care whose lab at that point. For people from Pakistan, India and China, anywhere in North America is probably fine. In the case of post-doctoral fellows, the research in my lab is somewhat of more interest, but again from the former mentioned countries, they are not too fussy. For these and any other trainees, it is extremely important for them to do their homework to ensure that the graduate studies or post-doctoral experience is optimal for both parties.
The applicant should really have a genuine interest in the nature of the research in the mentor's lab. If it is very different from the past experiences of the applicant, he or she better have a good explanation for why they are seeking a change and why they are excited about the prospects about coming to the mentor's lab.
The applicant has to make a good case why he or she would be a good addition to the mentor's lab based on their research experiences and demonstrated scholastic abilities.
The applicant's cover letter and c.v. should be meticulous in its organization, spelling and grammar. While this can be problematic for foreign applicants for whom English is a second language, it is extremely revealing to have numerous errors in this regard from applicants in which English is their first language. A lack of attention to details in such important documents probably translates to sloppiness in the lab.
If the potential mentor shows interest in taking on a new trainee, the applicant should use this opportunity to learn even more about the mentor and their lab. One good start is to request copies of the mentor's c.v. and most recent publications. The applicant should then start to match up the information about the lab personnel and funding from the c.v. with the overall productivity of the lab. Also enquire about the future directions and plans of the mentor and make sure that these align with the trainee's expectations. A potential mentor will respect that the applicant is a thoughtful and careful candidate who is doing their homework and looking to come to a lab where they can flourish.
If the applicant is accepted into a mentor's lab, then they should also be fully prepared to commit themselves to their career development. In my pre- and post-doctoral experiences, which include the laboratories of several outstanding scientists, even if the environment is great, success is mostly contingent on how the applicants apply themselves.
Link to the original blog post.
I have interviewed a lot of graduate students and post-doctoral trainees over the last 24 years, and it is truly amazing the diversity of application letters that I have received. Unfortunately, most graduate student applicants just want to get accepted into a lab, and they don't really much care whose lab at that point. For people from Pakistan, India and China, anywhere in North America is probably fine. In the case of post-doctoral fellows, the research in my lab is somewhat of more interest, but again from the former mentioned countries, they are not too fussy. For these and any other trainees, it is extremely important for them to do their homework to ensure that the graduate studies or post-doctoral experience is optimal for both parties.
The applicant should really have a genuine interest in the nature of the research in the mentor's lab. If it is very different from the past experiences of the applicant, he or she better have a good explanation for why they are seeking a change and why they are excited about the prospects about coming to the mentor's lab.
The applicant has to make a good case why he or she would be a good addition to the mentor's lab based on their research experiences and demonstrated scholastic abilities.
The applicant's cover letter and c.v. should be meticulous in its organization, spelling and grammar. While this can be problematic for foreign applicants for whom English is a second language, it is extremely revealing to have numerous errors in this regard from applicants in which English is their first language. A lack of attention to details in such important documents probably translates to sloppiness in the lab.
If the potential mentor shows interest in taking on a new trainee, the applicant should use this opportunity to learn even more about the mentor and their lab. One good start is to request copies of the mentor's c.v. and most recent publications. The applicant should then start to match up the information about the lab personnel and funding from the c.v. with the overall productivity of the lab. Also enquire about the future directions and plans of the mentor and make sure that these align with the trainee's expectations. A potential mentor will respect that the applicant is a thoughtful and careful candidate who is doing their homework and looking to come to a lab where they can flourish.
If the applicant is accepted into a mentor's lab, then they should also be fully prepared to commit themselves to their career development. In my pre- and post-doctoral experiences, which include the laboratories of several outstanding scientists, even if the environment is great, success is mostly contingent on how the applicants apply themselves.
Link to the original blog post.