The Faculty Search Process

Here's an excellent Wiki page and post over at AstroBetter describing the faculty hiring process.

For a postdoc seeking a tenure-track academic job, the process can be mysterious, confusing, and sometimes terrifying (at least it was for me). The level of competition is known to be extreme, and there are a number of steps, including the selection of letter writers, the decision where to apply, how to craft your application essays and how to conduct interviews. There can be long-term consequences of how you approach early steps in the sequence, so it is useful to know ahead of time all the relevant steps in the application process and to start thinking critically and making some decisions.

Big ups to proto-Prof. Josh Pepper for getting this wiki started (actually, he's in the rare, short-lived transitional phase). Also, big ups for the best professional profile pic evar:

New-school proto-Prof. Josh Pepper, seen here at quarter phase. He sees the Matrix.

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back-talk begins

me: "owen, come here. it's time to get a new diaper" him, sprinting down the hall with no pants on: "forget about it!" he's quoting benny the rabbit, a short-lived sesame street character who happens to be in his favorite "count with me" video. i'm turning my head, trying not to let him see me laugh, because his use and tone with the phrase are so spot-on.

Mahalo.ne.Trash

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