post doc personal statement

Writing your personal statement

When putting together your application for graduate school, one of the supporting documents your program may require as part of the supplementary information form is a personal statement . A personal statement is your opportunity to explain more about who you are and why you belong in the program to which you’re applying, aside from your grades and test scores. This can be a powerful tool for demonstrating that you’re a great candidate!

At Waterloo, we have different names and formats for personal statements. They can also be referred to as a letter of intent or a statement of interest . Some programs will have a specific set of prompts/questions for you to answer, but others will not. Find out this information by searching your program in the Graduate studies academic calendar .

This video will walk you through the basics of writing a personal statement, including the main elements of a strong statement and what types of experiences you can include.   

Three main elements of a strong personal statement

• Your interest in the program
• The tools and skills that will help you succeed
• Why the program is a good fit for you

1. Your interest in the program

Some prompting questions to ask yourself include: 

• What problem do you want to solve? How do you know it’s a problem? What have you learned about it over time?
• What is drawing you to this program? What makes this a good next step for you?
• Who is it that you want to help with this degree? How do you know they need help?
• Why are you interested in this topic? What learning have you done in this area? What is it that you find exciting?

2. The tools and skills that will help you succeed

• What do you do well? How do you know you do it well? What do you do that’s different than somebody who is not good at this?
• What does it take to be good at what you want to do? What does someone need to know, do, or learn? When have you worked/learned in an environment like this? You may think you don’t have relevant experience but re-frame the experience you DO have. For example, if you don’t have relevant research experience, how do you share that you’re a good candidate? You’ve completed previous degrees, which teach you how to research.
• What have you observed or thought about that’s relevant to this work?

3. Why the program is a good fit for you

• How do your research interests match faculty interests? This is particularly important for research or thesis-based programs. What connects your proposed work with theirs?
• What did you notice about the program design, location, or content?
• What do you want to learn and how does this match the degree? For example, if a master’s degree is a pre-requisite for a career you’re interested in, WHY is it required?
• You can also frame this around your goals when you finish. How do these goals match the program?

Before you submit your statement

Don't forget to review it carefully, check for spelling and grammar, and have someone else look at it!

Additional resources

For current Waterloo students and alumni, the Centre for Career Development offers further education support , including working with you on your application documents like personal statements. For non-Waterloo students, your university may have similar resources available.

We hope that this information will help you in crafting your personal statement, getting you one step closer to a top-notch graduate studies application package!

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)

Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201

Graduate Studies Academic Calendar

Website feedback

• Contact Waterloo
• Maps & Directions
• Accessibility

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .

Post Doc Personal Statements 

Post doc personal statements online advising.

The postdoctoral personal statement can seem like the most daunting and difficult part of your application.

Silver lining, though: a well-written essay can:

• Wake up a bored committee (most essays they'll read are extremely similar)
• Convey your real personality and make you come alive to your readers
• Depict your experiences in movie-like clarity and detail
• Show your best qualities and values
• Help the reader see why you and their program are such a great fit

Simply put, the essay is not a to-do; it's a powerful tool to help you get accepted!

Lauren Hammond is our post doc application essay expert and has been helping people write their postdoctoral personal statements for several years. Whether you just want some feedback on a draft, or you're staring at a blank Word doc and don't know where to begin, she is happy to help!

Contact Lauren directly at  951 -395-4646 (phone or text), or send us an email .

She works with people online via Zoom and via email / Google Docs.

Lauren Hammond

Lauren: I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Writing, with a concentration in Writing, at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) and my Master’s Degree in English and Comparative Literature at San Diego State University (SDSU). I recently completed my PhD in English at the University of California Riverside (UCR) in September 2023. Upon graduating, I began my current position as UCR's Graduate Writing Center Specialist and Fulbright Program Advisor last summer. 

I have been a writing consultant for nearly 10 years now, and I've helped people with research writing, thesis/dissertation projects, rhetorical and literary analyses, writing in the humanities, grammar/sentence mechanics, and more. My focus for VKTP centers on graduate school application materials– including personal statements, diversity statements, and research statements– as well as job market materials for academic and alt-academic positions– resumes, CVs, cover letters, etc. 

During my downtime, I love hanging out with my husband, 2-year-old daughter, and our two dogs, Link and Leia! My favorite activities are going on the boat, cruising on the golf cart, and making our way through all of the local eateries. When we aren’t out and about, I typically enjoy reading and watching movies.

Working with Lauren is $225 per hour or $995 for a package purchase of 5 hours. You can reach her at  951 -395-4646 (phone or text), or by sending us an email .

Love For Lauren

"I had about 6 sessions with Lauren Hammond to go over my personal statements for PhD/PsyD Clinical Psychology applications. I had different goals for each of my statements (e.g., trim, content development, brainstorm ideas), and she tailored each session to meet my needs. An hour might seem short, but she was very productive and sometimes went over two short statements in one session. She was also available via text for any brief questions or concerns. I am very happy with her service and recommend it to anyone who wants to craft a stand-out personal statement. I thought my writing skills were already good, but the final product, including her revisions, turned out even better than I expected. "

- Fiona Wang ( see review on Google Maps )

Lily Annino

Lauren helped me out SO much with my MFT graduate school essays. I've already gotten an interview from two schools, and I was incredibly happy with the essay results. 110% would recommend her! Thank you so much Lauren.

" Very happy to have worked with Vince on my GRE prep and Lauren on my personal essay writing. Both were integral to my success in getting accepted to my ideal grad school. Vince had a very straightforward and understandable approach toward taking the test which helped remove the test anxiety I definitely would have otherwise felt. I knew exactly what was coming weeks before I sat down to take it and managed to score about 10-15 points higher than I would have without his help. Lauren was equally helpful in editing my essay - both on the finer details as well as big picture ideas and concepts. I wholeheartedly believe their assistance throughout the GRE and grad school application process is what pushed me over the edge and got me accepted into my ideal program at my ideal school. 5 stars, no question."

- Clifford Grant ( see review on Google Maps )

"I worked with Lauren Hammond on my personal statement and she was amazing!! I spent a couple months working with her and it was one of the best decisions that I feel elevated my grad school applications. I came into the first meeting with a draft essay that was basically my resume and was all over the place. Lauren helped me nail down my story and what I am passionate about. I ended up writing an amazing personal statement with great feedback from Lauren that I felt really showed readers who I am. She was super flexible with the times we met and I ended up getting into my TOP choice schools (Johns Hopkins, Brown, etc). I would definitely work with her again!"

- Aster M. ( see review on Google Maps)

"Lauren Hammond was so incredibly helpful with my personal statements for grad school. I really needed help with organization, staying focused on a coherent narrative and content-building, which she was phenomenal with. She's also a really sweet person and a pleasure to work with! Can't recommend her enough."

- Mira Park  ( see review on Google Maps )

" As I was applying to PhD programs, I was struggling to write my personal statements. I searched online for hours to try and find something or someone that looked worth spending the money on and I came across Lauren Hammond at Vince Kotchian Test Prep. I was only planning on doing maybe one session to help get me started but Lauren was SO good that I continued working with her for weeks. She gave such valuable feedback and felt like she truly cared about making my work the best it can be. I even recommended her to my other colleagues who were applying to grad school and they felt the same way. I currently have 3 interviews for grad school and I couldn't have gotten those without her help!"

- Mikayla Haas ( see review on Google Maps )

"Lauren Hammond was amazing. She provided me with thoughtful feedback that structured and strengthened my graduate school application essays. She was great at asking questions to push me to be a better writer. You can tell she genuinely cares about her students and wants to see you succeed. Additionally she is flexible in scheduling and will make deadlines work with your timeline. I was accepted into my top school choice and appreciate Lauren for her help in the process. If you or someone you know is looking for an essay tutor for graduate applications, Lauren is definitely the best!"

- Renee Begin ( see review on Google Maps )

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I spend writing my postdoctoral personal statement?

We generally recommend about 4-8 weeks - 6 weeks is a good sweet spot. It takes time to come up with ideas and get those ideas onto paper in a compelling form.

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

MOST personal statements are BORING! Not because the person writing them is boring, but perhaps because:

• Their focus is too broad. They try to cover everything they've done, and nothing ends up standing out.
• They're impersonal. It's a personal statement - the reader needs to get a sense of who you are and what you're actually like - not some sanitized "professional" version of you.
• They're too safe. Ironically, a statement that takes no risks can be the riskiest thing you can do. We're not applying to a program with the intent of blending in with all the other applicants!

Granted, the above things can be overdone, or done wrong. But most statements make no impact, so it's worth thinking about how yours actually can.

What are the basics of applying to postdoctoral programs?

Securing a postdoctoral position, often referred to simply as a postdoc, is like embarking on an advanced stage of academic exploration and specialization. It requires a blend of robust research experience, academic achievements, and a clear vision for your scholarly journey. Here’s a typical roadmap for aspiring postdocs:

The foundational step is completing a doctoral degree. Your PhD demonstrates not just your expertise in a specific field, but also your ability to conduct independent, original research. Excelling in your doctoral program is crucial, as it lays the groundwork for your postdoc applications.

The heart of a postdoc application is your research experience and publications. Having a strong research portfolio, including publications in reputable journals, presentations at conferences, and contributions to significant projects, is essential. This body of work showcases your expertise and potential to contribute meaningful research in your field.

Networking plays a critical role. Many postdoc positions are found through academic connections, mentors, and colleagues. Building a strong professional network during your PhD can open doors to postdoc opportunities.

The application process typically includes a research proposal, CV, and letters of recommendation. Your research proposal should outline what you plan to explore during your postdoc and how it aligns with the research interests of the institution or your potential mentor. Recommendation letters should come from academic advisors or collaborators who can vouch for your research capabilities and potential as a postdoc.

Interviews, if part of the process, are an opportunity to discuss your research in depth, demonstrate your critical thinking, and show how your work can contribute to the broader goals of the research group or department.

Taking initiative in seeking out funding opportunities, such as fellowships or grants, can also be a significant part of the postdoc experience. Securing your own funding not only makes you an attractive candidate but also provides greater flexibility in your research pursuits.

In summary, securing a postdoctoral position involves demonstrating a strong track record in research, building a professional network, articulating a clear research plan, and showcasing your potential to contribute to and benefit from the postdoc experience. It’s a path for those who are deeply committed to advancing their research expertise and making significant contributions to their academic field.

• Office of Fellowships and Scholarships >
• Getting Started >

Develop a Strong Personal Statement

Jenny Simon, 2019 recipient of a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Mongolia.

For students, the personal statement is one of the most difficult and most important documents they will ever write. We have the resources to boost your confidence and the know-how to help you write a powerful personal statement.

Debunking the Personal Statement

What it is:.

• Your introduction to the selection committee. This is your story, written by you. It should describe your interests, skills, questions and goals. It should clearly portray continued interest in your field of research and desire to learn more.
• A chance to demonstrate your ability to write and communicate effectively. A well-written personal statement demonstrates your ability to organize your thoughts and communicate clearly. Conversely, an unpolished statement can unintentionally portray the writer as disinterested, unprofessional and careless.
• Your personal statement should articulate your preparedness by clarifying how your past experiences, education and extra-curricular activities have prepared you for your field.

What it isn't:

• A personal autobiography. A personal statement is not the time to write about your childhood, family or hobbies that are not relevant to your field or academic development.
• A resume of accomplishments in essay form. Do not simply list information that is available in your other supporting documents (e.g., resume, transcript). Rather, you should provide context as to why your past accomplishments and experiences are significant to your academic and professional development.
• A plea for the scholarship. This is not the time to beg, plea or justify why you are more deserving of the scholarship than the other applicants. You are eligible for this scholarship for a reason. Focus on your accomplishments, not why your accomplishments make you better than others.

What to Include in Your Personal Statement

Professor Stacy Hubbard from UB's department of English breaks down what you should include in your personal statement.

• Origins of interest in a particular field. This could be a book you read, a lecture you attended or an experience you had.
• Ways in which you have developed your interest. Additional reading, experiments, internships, coursework, summer jobs, science fairs, travel experiences, writing projects, etc. Provide details about what you gained from a particular course or how a particular project or paper has helped you to develop intellectually.
• Reasons for changes in your interests and goals. These changes could be addressed in positive, rather than negative, terms. Instead of saying "I became bored with engineering and switched to physics," try "Through a bridge-design project, I discovered a new interest in thermodynamics and decided to focus my studies on physics."
• Reasons for inconsistencies in your record.  If there is anything unusual or problematic in your record (poor grades, several school transfers, time away from school, etc.) this information needs to be explained in as positive a way, as possible. If you were immature and screwed up, then you matured and shaped up, say so and point to the proof (improved grades, a stellar recent employment record, etc.). Remember, failure of one kind or another, if you learn from it, is good preparation for future success.
• Special skills you have developed, relevant to the planned research.  This could be general knowledge of a field acquired through reading and study or special practical skills (data analysis, fossil preservation, interviewing techniques, writing skills, etc.) that will qualify you to conduct a particular type of research. Be specific about how you acquired these skills and at what level you possess them.
• Character traits, talents or extra-curricular activities outside the field that help to qualify you. If you are particularly tenacious about overcoming obstacles, creative at problem-solving, adaptable to unfamiliar circumstances or just great at organizing teams of people, these qualities can be mentioned as relevant to the research experience. Sometimes the evidence for these traits may be other than academic. Have you have overcome a disability or disadvantage of some kind in your life? Have you persisted in a particularly challenging task? Have lived in different parts of the world and adapted to difference cultures? Have you organized teams of volunteers in the community? Make clear what traits have been developed by these experiences and how these will help you in the research experience. Acknowledge your strengths, but do so humbly.
• Knowledge and/or skills that you hope to acquire through participation in this opportunity.  What is particularly intriguing to you about this opportunity? How will it help you to acquire new skills or carry forward your own research questions?
• Emerging and ongoing questions.  What kinds of unsolved puzzles, problems or potential research paths are of interest to you? Which of these have you explored in school or extra-curricular projects? What sorts of projects do you hope to pursue in the future?
• Future plans and goals.  Do you plan to go to graduate or professional school and in what field? What are your post-graduation goals and why? How would this research opportunity help you to achieve those goals?

The Do's and Don'ts of Writing a Personal Statement

• Adhere to the rules. Note the proper page layout, format and length, and adhere to it.
• Use proper spelling and grammar. An easy way to have your application overlooked is to submit it with spelling and grammatical errors. Use spell-checkers, proof-read and let others review your application, before you submit it.
• Show your audience, don't tell them. It's easy to say "I am a leader," but without concrete examples, your claim isn't valid. Give an example of why you believe you are a leader.
• Don't try to tell them everything. You can't cram your entire life into one personal statement. Choose a few key points to talk about and let your other application materials (resume, letter(s) of recommendation, application, interview, etc.) tell the rest of your story.
• Don't use clichés. Things like "since I was a child" or "the world we live in today" are commonly found in personal statements and don't add any value.
• Don't lie or make things up. This is not the time to fabricate or inflate your accomplishments. Don't try to guess what the committee is looking for and write what you think they want to hear. Invite them in to get to know the real you.

At the end of your personal statement, you want people to think "I'd like to meet this person." That is your end-goal.

UB Resources

• Center for Excellence in Writing
• Graduate Student Association Editing Services

Additional Resources

• Helping Students to Tell Their Stories , The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Preparing a Compelling Personal Statement , profellow.com
• Proposal Writing Resources , University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• Purdue Online Writing Lab , Purdue University
• Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Grad School , gograd.com

Loading metrics

Open Access

Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Postdoctoral Fellowship

Affiliation Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America

Affiliation Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford Neuroscience Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America

Affiliation Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America

* E-mail: [email protected] (LM); [email protected] (CMB)

Affiliation Asian Liver Center and Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America

Affiliation Stanford Biosciences Grant Writing Academy, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America

• Ke Yuan, 
• Lei Cai, 
• Siu Ping Ngok, 
• Li Ma, 
• Crystal M. Botham

Published: July 14, 2016

• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004934
• Reader Comments

Citation: Yuan K, Cai L, Ngok SP, Ma L, Botham CM (2016) Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Postdoctoral Fellowship. PLoS Comput Biol 12(7): e1004934. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004934

Editor: Fran Lewitter, Whitehead Institute, UNITED STATES

Copyright: © 2016 Yuan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Funding: Dr. Ke Yuan is supported by American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant (15SDG25710448) and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Proof of Concept Award (SPO121940). Dr. Lei Cai is supported by Stanford Neuroscience Institute and NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship (1F32HL128094). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction

Postdoctoral fellowships support research, and frequently career development training, to enhance your potential to becoming a productive, independent investigator. Securing a fellowship sends a strong signal that you are capable of conducting fundable research and will likely lead to successes with larger grants. Writing a fellowship will also increase your productivity and impact because you will learn and refine skills necessary to articulate your research priorities. However, competition is fierce and your fellowship application needs to stand out among your peers as realistic, coherent, and compelling. Also, reviewers, a committee of experts and sometimes non-experts, will scrutinize your application, so anything less than polished may be quickly eliminated. We have drawn below ten tips from our experiences in securing postdoctoral fellowships to help as you successfully tackle your proposal.

Rule 1: Start Early and Gather Critical Information

Crafting a competitive fellowship can take 6–9 months, so it is imperative that you start early. You may even want to start looking for postdoctoral fellowships before you finish your doctoral degree. Compile a comprehensive list of fellowships that you can apply to. This list should include key information to organize your game plan for applying, including Sponsor (agency sponsoring the fellowship) name; URL for funding information; Sponsor deadlines; and any other requirements or critical information.

To find suitable fellowships, start by asking your faculty mentor(s), laboratory colleagues, and recent alumni about their experiences applying for fellowships. Federal agencies in the United States, such as the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF); foreign governmental agencies; and other organizations, such as societies, foundations, and associations, often solicit fellowship applications. Additionally, many institutions offer internally supported fellowships as well as institutional research training grants.

Once you have an exhaustive list of fellowships you are eligible for, start gathering critical information that you can use to inform your writing. Read the fellowship instructions completely and identify the review criteria. Investigate the review process; NIH’s Center for Scientific Review reviews grant applications for scientific merit and has a worthwhile video about the Peer Review Process [ 1 ]. Sometimes Sponsors offer notification alerts about upcoming funding opportunities, deadlines, and updated policies, so make sure to sign up for those when offered. Also, gather previously submitted applications and reviewers’ comments for the fellowships you will to apply to. Both funded and unfunded applications are useful. Sometimes Sponsors make available funded abstracts like NIH’s Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT), and these provide critical information about the scope of funded projects.

Many institutions have internal policies and processes that are required before a proposal can be submitted to a Sponsor. These requirements can include waivers to assess eligibility and internal deadlines (five business day internal deadlines are standard), so make sure you also gather relevant information about any internal policies and processes required by your institution.

Rule 2: Create a Game Plan and Write Regularly

Writing a compelling fellowship takes time, a lot of time, which is challenging to balance with a hectic laboratory schedule, other responsibilities, and family obligations. To reduce stress, divide the fellowship requirements into smaller tasks by creating a detailed timeline with goals or milestones. Having a game plan with daily and/or weekly goals will also help you avoid procrastination. Make sure you are writing regularly (i.e., daily or every other day) to establish an effective writing practice. This will increase your productivity and reduce your anxiety because writing will become a habit. It is also important to make your writing time non-negotiable so other obligations or distractions don’t impede your progress.

Rule 3: Find Your Research Niche

It is crucial that you have a deep awareness of your field so you can identify critical knowledge gaps that will significantly move your field forward when filled. Keep a list of questions or problems inherent to your field and update this list after reading germane peer-reviewed and review articles or attending seminars and conferences. Narrow down and focus your list through discussions with your mentor(s), key researchers in your field, and colleagues. Because compelling projects often combine two seemingly unrelated threads of work to challenge and shift the current research or clinical practice paradigms, it is important to have a broad familiarity with the wider scientific community as well. Seek opportunities to attend seminars on diverse topics, speak with experts, and read broadly the scientific literature. Relentlessly contemplate how concepts and approaches in the wider scientific community could be extended to address critical knowledge gaps in your field. Furthermore, develop a few of your research questions by crafting hypotheses supported by the literature and/or preliminary data. Again, share your ideas with others, i.e., mentor(s), other scientists, and colleagues, to gauge interest in the significance and innovation of the proposed ideas. Remember, because your focus is on writing a compelling fellowship, make sure your research questions are also relevant and appropriate for the missions of the sponsoring agencies.

Rule 4: Use Your Specific Aims Document as Your Roadmap

A perfectly crafted Specific Aims document, usually a one-page description of your plan during the project period, is crucial for a compelling fellowship because your reviewers will read it! In fact, it is very likely your Specific Aims will be the first document your reviewers will read, so it is vital to fully engage the reviewers’ interest and desire to keep reading. The Specific Aims document must concisely answer the following questions:

• Is the research question important? Compelling proposals often tackle a particular gap in the knowledge base that, when addressed, significantly advance the field.
• What is the overall goal? The overall goal defines the purpose of the proposal and must be attainable regardless of how the hypothesis tests.
• What specifically will be done? Attract the reviewers’ interest using attention-getting headlines. Describe your working hypothesis and your approach to objectively test the hypothesis.
• What are the expected outcomes and impact? Describe what the reviewers can expect after the proposal is completed in terms of advancement to the field.

A draft of your Specific Aims document is ideal for eliciting feedback from your mentor(s) and colleagues because evaluating a one-page document is not an enormous time investment on part of the person giving you feedback. Plus, you don’t want to invest time writing a full proposal without knowing the proposal’s conceptual framework is compelling. When you are ready to write the research plan, your Specific Aims document then provides a useful roadmap.

As you are writing (and rewriting) your Specific Aims document, it is essential to integrate the Sponsor’s goals for that fellowship funding opportunity. Often goals for a fellowship application include increasing the awardee’s potential for becoming an independent investigator, in which case an appropriate expected outcome might be that you mature into an independent investigator.

We recommend reading The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook ( www.grantcentral.com ) [ 2 ] because it has two helpful chapters on how to write a persuasive Specific Aims document, as well as other instructive chapters. Although a little formulaic, the Workbook’s approach ensures the conceptual framework of your Specific Aims document is solid. We also advise reading a diverse repertoire of Specific Aims documents to unearth your own style for this document.

Rule 5: Build a First-Rate Team of Mentors

Fellowship applications often support mentored training experiences; therefore, a strong mentoring team is essential. Remember, reviewers often evaluate the qualifications and appropriateness of your mentoring team. The leader of your mentoring team should have a track record of mentoring individuals at similar stages as your own as well as research qualifications appropriate for your interests. Reviewers will also often consider if your mentor can adequately support the proposed research and training because fellowship applications don’t always provide sufficient funds. It is also useful to propose a co-mentor who complements your mentor’s qualifications and experiences. You should also seek out other mentors at your institution and elsewhere to guide and support your training. These mentors could form an advisory committee, which is required for some funding opportunities, to assist in your training and monitor your progress. In summary, a first-rate mentoring team will reflect the various features of your fellowship, including mentors who augment your research training by enhancing your technical skills as well as mentors who support your professional development and career planning.

As you develop your fellowship proposal, meet regularly with your mentors to elicit feedback on your ideas and drafts. Your mentors should provide feedback on several iterations of your Specific Aims document and contribute to strengthening it. Recruit mentors to your team who will also invest in reading and providing feedback on your entire fellowship as an internal review before the fellowship’s due date.

You also want to maintain and cultivate relationships with prior mentors, advisors, or colleagues because fellowships often require three to five letters of reference. A weak or poorly written letter will negatively affect your proposal’s fundability, so make sure your referees will write a strong letter of recommendation and highlight your specific capabilities.

Rule 6: Develop a Complete Career Development Training Plan

Most fellowships support applicants engaged in training to enhance their development into a productive independent researcher. Training often includes both mentored activities, e.g., regular meetings with your mentor(s), as well as professional activities, e.g., courses and seminars. It is important that you describe a complete training plan and justify the need for each training activity based on your background and career goals.

When developing this plan, it is helpful to think deeply about your training needs. What skills or experiences are missing from your background but needed for your next career stage? Try to identify three to five training goals for your fellowship and organize your plan with these goals in mind. Below are sample activities:

• Regular (weekly) one-on-one meetings with mentor(s)
• Biannual meeting with advisory committee
• Externship (few weeks to a few months) in a collaborator’s laboratory to learn a specific technique or approach
• Courses (include course # and timeline) to study specific topics or methods
• Seminars focused on specific research areas
• Conferences to disseminate your research and initiate collaborations
• Teaching or mentoring
• Grant writing, scientific writing, and oral presentation courses or seminars
• Opportunities for gaining leadership roles
• Laboratory management seminars or experiences

Rule 7: STOP! Get Feedback

Feedback is critical to developing a first-class proposal. You need a wide audience providing feedback because your reviewers will likely come from diverse backgrounds as well. Be proactive in asking for feedback from your mentor, colleagues, and peers. Even non-scientists can provide critical advice about the clarity of your writing. When eliciting feedback, inform your reviewer of your specific needs, i.e., you desire broader feedback on overall concepts and feasibility or want advice on grammar and spelling. You may also consider hiring a professional editing and proofreading service to polish your writing.

Some fellowships have program staff, such as the NIH Program Officers, who can advise prospective applicants. These individuals can provide essential information and feedback about the programmatic relevance of your proposal to the Sponsor’s goals for that specific fellowship application. Approaching a Program Officer can be daunting, but reading the article “What to Say—and Not Say—to Program Officers” can help ease your anxiety [ 3 ].

Rule 8: Tell a Consistent and Cohesive Story

Fellowship applications are often composed of numerous documents or sections. Therefore, it is important that all your documents tell a consistent and cohesive story. For example, you might state your long term goal in the Specific Aims document and personal statement of your biosketch, then elaborate on your long term goal in a career goals document, so each of these documents must tell a consistent story. Similarly, your research must be described consistently in your abstract, Specific Aims, and research strategy documents. It is important to allow at least one to two weeks of time after composing the entire application to review and scrutinize the story you tell to ensure it is consistent and cohesive.

Rule 9: Follow Specific Requirements and Proofread for Errors and Readability

Each fellowship application has specific formats and page requirements that must be strictly followed. Keep these instructions and the review criteria close at hand when writing and revising. Applications that do not conform to required formatting and other requirements might be administratively rejected before the review process, so meticulously follow all requirements and guidelines.

Proofread your almost final documents for errors and readability. Errors can be confusing to reviewers. Also, if the documents have many misspellings or grammar errors, your reviewers will question your ability to complete the proposed experiments with precision and accuracy. Remove or reduce any field-specific jargon or acronyms. Review the layout of your pages and make sure each figure or table is readable and well placed. Use instructive headings and figure titles that inform the reviewers of the significance of the next paragraph(s) or results. Use bolding or italics to stress key statements or ideas. Your final documents must be easy to read, but also pleasing, so your reviewers remain engaged.

Rule 10: Recycle and Resubmit

Fellowships applications frequently have similar requirements, so it is fairly easy to recycle your application or submit it to several different funding opportunities. This can significantly increase your odds for success, especially if you are able to improve your application with each submission by tackling reviewers’ comments from a prior submission. However, some Sponsors limit concurrent applications to different funding opportunities, so read the instructions carefully.

Fellowship funding rates vary but, sadly, excellent fellowships may go unfunded. Although this rejection stings, resubmitted applications generally have a better success rate than original applications, so it is often worth resubmitting. However, resubmitting an application requires careful consideration of the reviewers’ comments and suggestions. If available, speak to your Program Officers because he or she may have listened to the reviewers’ discussion and can provide a unique prospective or crucial information not included in the reviewers’ written comments. Resubmitted fellowships are many times allowed an additional one- to two-page document to describe how you addressed the reviewers’ comments in the revised application, and this document needs to be clear and persuasive.

The ten tips we provide here will improve your chances of securing a fellowship and can be applied to other funding opportunity announcements like career development awards (i.e., NIH K Awards). Regardless of funding outcomes, writing a fellowship is an important career development activity because you will learn and refine skills that will enhance your training.

• 1. National Institutes of Health. NIH Peer Review Reveal—a front-row seat to a review peer review meeting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBDxI6l4dOA .
• 2. Stephen W. Russell and David C. Morrison. The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook–National Institutes of Health Version. Available: www.grantcentral.com .
• 3. Spires MJ. What to Say—and Not Say—to Program Officers. The Chronicles of Higher Education. 2012. Available: http://chronicle.com/article/What-to-Say-and-Not-Say-to/131282 .

Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Statements: What I Wish I Knew Before Writing

Written by Andrew Feldman

Of course, the odds of receiving postdoctoral fellowships are not high (typically single digit percentages). Knowing these odds, I applied for eight fellowships: four through university departments and four through government agencies. I initially felt like I had no idea how to be successful, especially since I received none of the 12 doctoral fellowships I had previously applied for. I also had a rough start: my first postdoctoral fellowship application was rejected a month after submission for being slightly out of scope. It certainly required mental fortitude to continue through this application process.

After speaking with colleagues in my field, common themes emerged in how they approach proposals, especially in how to write a stand-out research statement. At this point starting the fifth year of my PhD, I understood the importance of conveying a strong vision in my research statement: it is essential for getting and staying funded regardless of how stellar one’s publication record is. While I knew the motivation and methodology well, my colleagues taught me that conveying my vision in a convincing, focused, and exciting way for other scientists is a different matter. I believe their collective advice was pivotal to improving my research statement and ultimately getting me on the “funded” pile for three of the eight fellowships. I share some of these insights here.

1) Why now? Why me? When formulating your idea, focus on ensuring that your proposal answers why this research should be completed right now, as opposed to anytime. Many committees strongly weigh how much of a priority your research question is. The best introductions will extend beyond an informative literature review and directly state why answering your question is necessary and urgent.

They also want to know: why are you the best person to address this problem as opposed to someone else? Explicitly sell your fit to your research problem and your vision. Lean on your PI choice here – PIs can fill in any technical knowledge gaps and provide complementary tools to those learned during your PhD.

Most surprising to me is how much focus you need place on “why now? why me?” in your motivation. There is no fixed number, but be sure you spend more real estate motivating why the problem and approach is so amazing rather than on addressing every pitfall with your research question and approach.

2) Your audience is broader than you think. Many proposal writers will incorrectly assume (like I initially did) that their committee will include that harsh reviewer of their journal articles who can identify all methodological shortcomings. Rather than trying to defend against this omniscient and unlikely reader, keep the focus on convincing a researcher of an adjacent field that your questions and approach are spectacular. An excellent research statement will ultimately excite any researcher enough to fund the work.

Another nuance to consider: postdoctoral fellowships are mainly offered through federal government agencies (i.e., NSF, NIH, etc.) and specific university departments. Government-based fellowships will be reviewed by researchers closer to your field (but not quite as close as that of a journal article review). In this case, lean slightly towards convincing them that you understand the limitations of the approach and that your background fits the problem. By contrast, university departmental fellowships will typically have committees of professors that will not be in your exact field. For this audience, lean towards exciting them with an accessible, clear problem motivation, provide only a broad overview of the methods you would use, and be very brief.

3) Spend time just thinking: resist the urge to open Microsoft Word and start typing. Spend time purely thinking and schematically charting out your research problem and anticipated results. If you sufficiently plan, the statement will write itself.

4) Less is more: your reviewers are just as busy as you are. They want to see your main idea fast. You may see a ten page limit and feel an urge to cram in as much material as possible. I did this initially, but the statement will quickly become noisy. Instead, prioritize reader friendliness. This means more pictures and less walls of text. Reviewers are thankful for 1.5 spacing, 12 point font, and schematic figures with question marks and arrows that clearly convey your research questions. Use parsimony in discussing methods – mention only the essential methods and main anticipated challenges.

5) Start early: I started formulating my research statement in June 2020. My first deadline was in early August 2020. While this seems early to start, it was not! Give yourself at least two months before your first fellowship deadline to formulate a problem with your prospective PI (or any co-PIs) and write your statements. Provide adequate time for your PI(s) to provide feedback on your ideas and statements. If applying to multiple fellowships with different PIs and/or different project topics, start even earlier.

Lastly, I encourage asking your colleagues for help. Folks around you regardless of career stage have likely spent a significant portion of their time writing research statements. The MIT Communication Lab was a great source of help for me that I used multiple times! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I was always glad I did.

• Our Services
• How We Work
• Testimonials

EXPLORE OUR FELLOWSHIP PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES & GET EXPERT HELP

Composing a standout doc will be easier with a pro-made example, which you can pick up here.

CHECK BEST FELLOWSHIP PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES FOR YOUR INSPIRATION

Look at examples made by our experts & see if they comply with your standards!

Let's leave the competitors far behind. Get comprehensive writing help with 20% off.

SEEK GOOD FELLOWSHIP PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES? TAKE OURS!

Dear Committee,

I am writing to show my interest in and desire to join your fellowship program. Since my early years, my interest in radiology immunology has grown rapidly. Whether it was research or a conducted experiment, I`ve always wanted to keep going. 

I have multiplied this passion during my academic journey by pursuing and getting a bachelor’s degree in radiology immunology. This helped me to improve my [skills], which I hope to expand and advance during the fellowship program.

I used all opportunities to study radiology immunology beyond my bachelor’s. Internships, research projects, and volunteering gave me priceless experiences that helped me understand how knowledge in radiology immunology could be practically implemented in multiple situations. The experience of studying the growth dynamics of immune cells while participating in [research project name] helped me understand the specifics of cooperation with multidisciplinary specialists. It boosted my skills working on a team and taught me that the best outcome is only possible with coordinated work.

In conclusion, I am convinced that the radiology immunology program is the chance I will use to develop myself as a specialist. Besides sharing the workspace with top-class specialists and running research projects, I want to contribute to the radiology immunology program I am a part of. I feel confident about joining the program because my passion and confidence always lead me to the top.

I appreciate your consideration of my application. I see myself as a member of the radiology immunology fellowship program, and I’m looking to make a step forward.

[The applicant’s name]

Explore Our Best Examples of a Personal Statement for Fellowships

Fellowship programs set strict requirements and choose candidates carefully, so convincing the admission board that you’re their #1 candidate is not easy. Still, you can get this chance effortlessly by preparing a compelling personal fellowship statement that will perfectly present your desire and ability to become a fellow. Moreover, we provide good ready-made fellowship personal statement samples to simplify this task additionally.

Just choose one example that best correlates with your needs, and let’s start.

How Medical Fellowship Personal Statement Examples Can Help You

Someone may think completed writing pieces may be used for copypaste and rewriting. However, it’s a critical mistake because such things in personal statement for fellowship examples are immediately considered plagiarism, and the institution officials will immediately deny the applications. Reasons why a suitable example may help aren’t so obvious, but knowing them can help a lot while writing your own fellowship application doc.

• It’s invaluable for understanding requirements

When applicants examine examples, they see what format these texts have. Moreover, they understand how the information is organized, starting with the introduction, moving to the self-description mentioning the main achievements that made them who they are today. Moreover, personal statement examples for fellowship help to understand how to combine parts in a well-composed statement.

• It’s a great tool to visualize writing tips

Having several medical fellowship personal statement examples on hand may assist you while exploring expert tips and recommendations. Most people perceive information better only with visual materials, and pro-made samples can cope with this task perfectly.

• It’s necessary to define key components

Another advantage of using already-composed personal statement fellowships is that they help people see what writing components should and shouldn’t be included. Once individuals see what works for solid personal statement examples and what doesn’t, they understand how to strengthen it.

• It provides good ideas to manage your thoughts

In successful medical fellowship essays/applications, the writers’ main goal is to reveal their  strengths that will be valuable for the chosen program. Seeing how others compose their examples can help individuals tailor personal statements, emphasizing their strengths and motivating them to join the preferred program.

• It can help to avoid common mistakes

Fellowship personal statement examples are ideal for debriefing dos & don’ts and working on bugs. This works exceptionally well when visuals are accompanied by expert commentary. However, it is essential to remember that not all examples are suitable, but only from sources you can trust.

Top Personal Statement for Fellowship Examples From Proven Experts

There are two main reasons why you should explore our database with medical fellowship personal statement examples. First, it’s their variety – radiology, pathology, dentistry, orthopedics, and internal medicine are just some of the fields we can help you with. Secondly, it’s their authors. Every example is made by a proficient field-related expert knowing all the admission process nuances and program features that must be considered.

Of course, you cannot copy from a fellowship personal statement sample, as your own document should be well-personalized and tailored to a particular program. Nevertheless, there’re no restrictions to getting inspired with content structure, transitions, and things that need to be revealed.

How to Work With a Personal Statement for Fellowship Sample Properly

Preparing admission documents takes a while, especially if applicants pretend to join a competitive program. Composing everything in one night is not an option. So, here are some tips to help you better prepare your medical fellowship personal statement using our examples.

• Create an outline

With a plan, you understand your document’s appearance. Divide the text into paragraphs, with an introduction, a body part consisting of three sections, and a conclusion. Look at fellowship personal statement examples to define what needs to be included in these structural parts, and consider adding them to your document.

• Explore how the example author engages readers

Whether it’s an introductory hook, calls to action in conclusion, or exciting anecdotes in the body. Personal statements fellowships are formal pieces, so use engagement methods in your writing wisely. See how examples writers manage it to get more ideas.

• Define accents and things to focus on

The fellowship application personal statement should be program-focused and contain information that describes an individual as a skillful specialist. Moreover, the writing should include the most valuable career and educational path facts. Try to find this information in pro-made examples and explore how authors manage it.

About Medical Fellowship Personal Statement Grammar and Spelling

Besides learning about the text’s structure and format, it’s also important to consider simple elements like grammar and spelling. Institution officials carefully revise each piece and pay attention to all details. Once they spot even the slightest mistake, it may harm your personal statement for fellowship sample.

Your grammar should be correct and simple, as the text should be easy to understand. Grammar continues to be one of the most problematic points when preparing personal statements for fellowship and other application docs. Spelling is also necessary and should be given as much attention as grammar. Let someone else read the text to ensure you don’t miss anything. A fresh look may identify issues that should have been included during the first check.

How to Pick up a Right Sample Fellowship Personal Statement

We’d like to recommend you prepare several fellowship personal statement examples because hardly only one will 100% match your needs. And it’s not about competence but the fact that each program is unique, even if you’re applying to the same specialty. Faculty culture, values, and capabilities vary from institution to institution. Therefore, having only one sample fellowship personal statement to work with would be a bad decision. Consider the following factors when looking for suitable examples:

• Level and type of program
• Direction, if the program is highly specialized
• The specifics of the program and its features
• Focus and opportunities (practice, research, teaching, etc.)
• Requirements for their fellowship candidates

Let’s Create Your Own Personal Statement Fellowship Example

A solid and consistent personal statement is your golden ticket to new opportunities, and it’s worth all efforts and time spent creating it. However, sometimes people may worry a lot due to great responsibility or feel a lack of competency to cope with this writing themselves. And that’s where professional help preparing a personal statement for fellowships is the best solution.

From comprehensive guides & examples to expert writing & editing assistance – our service is qualified enough to boost your admission prospects significantly. With years of expertise and hundreds of successful admission cases, we are well aware of ways to make a lasting impression on the committee with your sample personal statement for fellowship application.

All you need is just place an order with your requirements and the filled questionnaire. You can also add an appropriate personal statement fellowship example as a reference to help experts understand your needs better. But don’t worry if there’s no suitable example – your materials are enough to make your own perfectly.

Use a chance to work with the best specialists and receive excellent personal statements to succeed!

Career mentorship, clinical and technology skills

• See us on facebook
• See us on youtube
• See us on instagram

APPLICATION GUIDE Clinical Science, Technology and Medicine Summer Internship

Applications Now Open

Applications open for the 2020 Clinical Science, Technology and Medicine Summer Internship program. Program application deadline is February 14, 2020.

Tips on writing a 500-word personal statement essay

By Prostock-Studio via EnvatoElements

By Sylvie Diane Dobrota

Brainstorm themes or stories you want to focus on. Start by brainstorming different themes in your life (volunteering, arts, interest in storytelling, etc) Choose 1 or 2 themes you want to focus on.

It should be personal.  It can feel a little risky to write, and reveal yourself. Remember, we want to get to know you!

Answer the prompt. Make sure that you essay addresses all aspects of the question(s).

Show don’t tell. Rather than saying that you are passionate about health care, share a story about an important or impactful moment that furthered your interests in health care.

Just start writing. Set aside 20 minutes to begin writing. Sometimes getting past a blank page can get ideas flowing.

Have someone who knows you well read the draft. They can let you know if they think it sounds like you or not.

The views expressed here are the authors and they do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stanford University School of Medicine. External websites are shared as a courtesy. They are not endorsed by the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Sylvie Diane Dobrota, BS Stanford Masters Candidate, Epidemiology

Postdoc Personal Statement Details

Please prepare a brief personal statement (~5 pages).  This statement should summarize the following points:

• Your reasons for pursuing post-doctoral training
• Current research interests in the area of intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Future career plans
• Goals and expectations for this postdoctoral training experience.

404 Not found

• Appointments

• Resume Reviews

• Undergraduates
• PhDs & Postdocs
• Faculty & Staff
• Prospective Students
• Online Students
• Career Champions
• I’m Exploring
• Architecture & Design
• Education & Academia
• Engineering
• Fashion, Retail & Consumer Products
• Fellowships & Gap Year
• Fine Arts, Performing Arts, & Music
• Government, Law & Public Policy
• Healthcare & Public Health
• International Relations & NGOs
• Life & Physical Sciences
• Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations
• Media, Journalism & Entertainment
• Non-Profits
• Pre-Health, Pre-Law and Pre-Grad
• Real Estate, Accounting, & Insurance
• Social Work & Human Services
• Sports & Hospitality
• Startups, Entrepreneurship & Freelancing
• Sustainability, Energy & Conservation
• Technology, Data & Analytics
• DACA and Undocumented Students
• First Generation and Low Income Students
• International Students
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Transfer Students
• Students of Color
• Students with Disabilities
• Explore Careers & Industries
• Make Connections & Network
• Search for a Job or Internship
• Write a Resume/CV
• Write a Cover Letter
• Engage with Employers
• Research Salaries & Negotiate Offers
• Find Funding
• Develop Professional and Leadership Skills
• Apply to Graduate School
• Apply to Health Professions School
• Apply to Law School
• Self-Assessment
• Experiences
• Post-Graduate
• Jobs & Internships
• Career Fairs
• For Employers
• Meet the Team
• Peer Career Advisors
• Social Media
• Career Services Policies
• Walk-Ins & Pop-Ins
• Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Phd/postdoc resume samples

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

The Professor Is In

Guidance for all things PhD: Graduate School, Job Market and Careers

The Postdoc App: How It’s Different and Why

By Karen Kelsky | May 28, 2013

For the next few months I will be posting the “best of the best” Professor is in blog posts on the job market, for the benefit of all those girding their loins for the 2013-2014 market.  Today’s post was originally published in 2011.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It has come to my attention that many junior people do not have a clear picture in their minds of the requirements of a postdoc application.

Some treat it too much like the job application. And some treat it too differently from the job application. The fact is, it falls somewhere in the middle. It’s quite different from a job application…..and yet many of the same principles apply.

For the purposes of this post, I’m going to assume that the postdoc application is requiring a cover letter, a 4 page research proposal, a description of a proposed course, and a brief statement articulating how you will participate in the scholarly community of the campus. While not all postdocs will require this exact set of documents, by discussing these here, we can address the major requirements, expectations, and potential pitfalls of the typical postdoc application effort. I will take them in order.

Cover Letter

This cover letter will be very similar to your job cover letter as explained in this post . It will contain the standard set of paragraphs to start: introduction, dissertation, dissertation import, publications.  In all of this first part, the relevance of your work to the stated mission of the postdoc will be emphasized clearly.  This requires carefully tailoring the cover letter materials. It’s difficult but it must be done.  If your topic is Mexican women immigrant workers, then for a gender postdoc, you will emphasize how the phenomenon reflects changing gender relations at home or abroad; for a globalization postdoc, you will emphasize how the phenomenon reflects changing labor mobility globally; for a Latin American Studies postdoc, you will emphasize how the phenomenon reflects new economic circumstances in Mexico.  This tailoring requires an original recasting or reframing of your work to meet the mission of the postdoc!  Failure to do this reframing means failure to get the postdoc.

After the discussion of research, the postdoc app letter will specifically discuss the plan of work for the postdoc year–ie, month by month, what new research and revisions will be made.

It will then include a very brief discussion of teaching experience (much shorter than for a regular job cover letter), followed by a discussion of the proposed class required by the postdoc, and how the proposed class will also advance the mission of the postdoc.

Lastly, in place of the typical tailoring paragraph, the letter will conclude with a brief paragraph explaining how the research and writing time of the postdoc will be used, how the scholarly community on campus will advance the project, and how the candidate will participate in said scholarly community.  The letter will be no more than 2 pages long.

The principle in operation here—and the one that too many applicants don’t seem to grasp—is that the campus is funding this expensive postdoc not so some random academic can come and sit in an office and write for a year, but rather, to “buy” the energy, contributions, and participation of an additional world-class scholar to their campus community for the period of that year. The postdoc, dear readers, is not meant to serve YOU. Rather, you are meant to serve the postdoc. That means, that in every document, you articulate how you will PARTICIPATE in campus/departmental scholarly life. You do this, however, as in all professional documents, without flattering, pandering, or begging. Rather, you identify faculty on campus with whom you would collaborate, and initiatives and programs on campus that are likely to house interdisciplinary conversations and debates to which your project relates, and you articulate clearly your interest in engaging with them in substantive ways.

4-Page Research Proposal

This research proposal looks very much like a grant application, and Dr. Karen’s Foolproof Grant Template will serve you well here, at least for the opening paragraphs. As in all research proposals you will want to open by proving the importance and urgency of your topic. Following the standard Dr. Karen template, you will construct the Proposal As Hero Narrative, with yourself in the role of Hero.

You may follow the Foolproof Grant Template all the way through to the point where it breaks off into things like budget and methodology. In place of those sections, you will focus entirely on timeline. The point of a postdoc research proposal is to, first, articulate an important and significant project, and second, articulate a coherent and feasible plan of work. It is this second element that most applicants fail to grasp.

Remember: the postdoc is not there to serve you, you are there to serve the postdoc. What does that mean? It means that the postdoc wants to see publications result from your time there. The postdoc wants to be mentioned in the acknowledgments of your book. The postdoc wants to be in the line, in the footnote, “this research was supported by generous funding from xxxxx.” The postdoc committee is going to judge the applications based on how likely it is that the applicant is going to efficiently and effectively use the time on campus to complete a specified set of publications. You will impress them when you include a month-by-month timeline/plan of work that shows explicitly what new archival/etc. research you will conduct, and when, what book chapters you will complete, and when, and what journal articles you will finish and submit, and when.

You will conclude this document with a strong and expansive conclusion that clearly shows how the postdoc year will play into your larger scholarly and career trajectory as a world-class scholar. Why? Because the postdoc wants to get part of the fame and glory that attaches to you as you move ahead in the world.

Postdocs are in the business of supporting the next generation of leaders in the scholarly world. To the extent that you represent yourself as a leader , you will do well. To the extent that you represent yourself as a little lost sheep desperately looking for a chance to get out of teaching for a year while you try and figure out what your book is about, you will do poorly. Be aware that the vast majority of postdoc applications are written by the latter.

Proposed Class Description

A point of vast confusion among postdoc applicants seems to be how to pitch the required class. Many applicants do not clearly grasp the difference between the postdoc and an adjunct. As such, the class they propose is one that is adjunct-level. Basically, applicants too often envision a course that is generic and basic. This is a mistake.

Postdocs are very expensive. If a campus wanted a generic and basic course, it would hire a cheap adjunct. There are many available. Instead, however, they are advertising for a postdoc. That means, they want a highly specialized course, that reflects the postdoc’s unique and distinctive scholarly program. The class can’t be absurdly specialized, of course. If the applicant’s specialization is the emerging gay male community in Jakarta, the course cannot be “Emerging Gay Male Communities in Jakarta.” Too narrow. Neither should it be “Introduction to Indonesia,” or “Gender and Sexuality.” Too broad. Rather, it should be pitched somewhere around, “Global Sexualities,” or “Gender and Sexuality in Southeast Asia,” or “Queer Globalizations.” The final choice for how to pitch the course will hinge on the climate of the department and the campus, and the postdoc mission itself—if it’s an Asian area studies postdoc, then you’d prioritize SE Asia, if it’s a gender postdoc, then you’d prioritize Global Sexualities, if it’s a transnational studies postdoc, then you’d prioritize Queer Globalizations. Get it? The tailoring happens here.

Statement of Participation in Campus Community

Here’s what the postdoc committee does not want: someone who arrives, walks into their allotted office, and is never seen again for the rest of the year. Here’s what they do want: someone who arrives and dives into the scholarly work of the department and the campus community. A postdoc is (should be) exempted from all service work on campus. However, the postdoc should make herself visible as an involved and interested departmental member. She should show up for brown bags and talks, symposia and conferences, and coffee and lunch with colleagues. In this statement, you articulate your orientation in that direction. Identify programs and initiatives in the department and on campus, by name, and discuss how you anticipate participating. Mention two or three faculty members by name, and how you look forward to engaging with them.

In all things, however, do NOT fall back into graduate student habits . You are NOT on campus to “learn from” or “study with” the scholars there. Rather, you ARE one of the scholars there. They may well learn from you. The proper stance here is that of a colleague who brings her own dynamic field of expertise to the campus, and who looks forward to energetic and innovative interactions with the colleagues there.

In sum, remember that, no matter how much you need that postdoc to get your book written, the postdoc is not there to serve you. You are there to serve the postdoc, but as a first-rank, world-class scholar and specialist in your field whose work speaks directly—DIRECTLY—to the mission of the postdoc. By virtue of your energy and brilliance, you cause the postdoc committee to pick you, out of all the competitors, to spend the year on their campus, sharing your work, and augmenting their teaching and intellectual profile and advancing their scholarly cause. Remember, make them want you.

Similar Posts:

• How To Write a Course Proposal for a Job/Postdoc App
• Two Pet Peeves From the World of Grants
• Stop Acting Like a Grad Student, Redux: “After My Defense, I Will…”
• Academic Job Search Live Webinars Start Friday!
• Getting Ready for the Job Search

Reader Interactions

September 26, 2011 at 9:22 am

Good advice– and also great insight into the expectations for those who are fortunate to have a postdoc position!

September 26, 2011 at 4:52 pm

Great advice!

One little thing — are the font shifts in you posts intentional? I find them somewhat hard on my eyes and more difficult to read than they should be. If it’s intentional and for a good reason, by all means make my eyes work a little harder, but otherwise, a standard font and size would be much appreciated. Thanks!

September 27, 2011 at 6:56 am

what degree of font shifts are you seeing?? I type up the posts in word and then paste into the blog. I don’t use any font shifts in my docs, but I have noticed that after pasting into the blog, there is a very very subtle shifting of fonts, paragraph by paragraph. The fonts are so similar, on my monitor, as to be virtually indistinguishable, so I have never dealt with the issue. Is that not the case for you?

October 9, 2011 at 2:36 pm

I think the problem might be in the blog software that’s being used to generate your HTML for the site here – when I have a quick look at the source for the page the first paragraph block has both a font and a size specified, e.g. , whereas the second paragraph has only the font size specified.

My guess is that Firefox or Safari are using the specified font for the paragraphs where it is specified, and then defaulting to whatever the browser has set internally for the paragraphs where it is not. This is probably a problem with the HTML that Word is generating (if that’s how you’re doing it).

Perhaps one way to do it might be to put everything in in plain text? The other option would be to learn to use something like Markdown (it’s really easy – here’s a link to its article on Wikipedia ) and then generate the HTML from that. Most blog software will be able to handle Markdown.

P.S. Thanks for the pointers. I’m currently applying for postdocs here in Australia, and your tips have been really useful so far!

September 27, 2011 at 10:23 am

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post!

P.S. I also wondered whether the font shift was intentional. It is a small issue, but it is a bit distracting.

September 27, 2011 at 11:29 am

If i understood why the font shift was happening, I’d take steps to make it stop, but I have absolutely no idea why a doc that is cut and pasted en masse from word would end up with different fonts in it in the blog! it’s a total mystery to me. if anyone has an idea, please do let me know.

November 12, 2012 at 1:56 pm

Perhaps you’ve already solved this problem, but Word is notorious for including lots of hidden styles and junk code when pasted into web interfaces. One solution is to write your pieces in a plain text editor (such as Notepad), then do your formatting in the blog interface after pasting.

Thanks for your excellent site!

September 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm

Dear Professor:

I was wondering if you could comment specifically on how to pitch the research proposal aspect of the postdoc in a way that is both different from but still speaks to your dissertation research. I am having trouble understanding how to manage the fact that I still will be publishing articles and working on turning my dissertation into a book, and yet they are asking for a research proposal that is distinct from that. Would it be something like researching the historical background of phenomena that you didn’t get to fully analyze in your dissertation? Especially for a field like anthropology where “research” typically means a fieldwork project (yet postdocs aren’t fieldwork grants) I’m curious about what to say. I find myself re-explaining my dissertation research and I’m worried I’m not making enough of a distinction between dissertation and postdoc research. Is it okay to do phrase it as a continuation of the dissertation project, as long as you highlight the work you will be doing, stating it as “new research” rather than what I would otherwise consider revisions to and expansions upon my dissertation? Or is it really supposed to be an entirely new project?

Thanks so much!

February 23, 2012 at 11:41 am

I share Nicholas’s concern as I draft my post-doc research proposal. Any suggestions?

March 6, 2012 at 1:37 pm

I wonder this as well, is it understood that most people don’t tackle the “next project” until later in the post doc as they are still dealing with their first project even thoug that was the project they pitched?

March 6, 2012 at 9:25 pm

Nicholas, first off, I sincerely apologize for taking so long to respond. I sometimes lose track of comments and queries on the blog, when a large number come for different posts at the same time.

Here is the answer. In most cases, in the humanities and social sciences, what a one year postdoc calls “research” is in fact the transformation of your dissertation into a book or series of articles. This is NOT the case for science postdocs, so for information on those, please seek advice of specialists in your field. But when they ask for a statement of research, what they mean is that you articulate the dissertation research in terms of its topic, its methods, and its significance, and you then describe its individual chapters. You follow that by a timeline that articulates exactly how you will revise each individual chapter into an appropriate book chapter or article, as well as write any new chapters/articles that are required by the project once it is launched in the public sphere. Many postdocs have a light teaching load and some limited research funding precisely to offer you the opportunity to do a bit more research in the archives or your field site, perhaps over winter break or a short visit, but it is understood that this is merely to augment the research you have already done for the dissertation. You will mention this in the 4-page proposal as precisely that—a short-term research stint to provide you with needed materials to complete your revisions of Chapter 4, for example, or to form the basis of a new final chapter, etc.

If the postdoc is a two year postdoc, then the situation changes to some extent. Then, typically, your research proposal will clearly articulate a plan not merely for completing the new manuscript(s), but also submitting them to presses/journals. That is typically planned to occur at the end of the first year. The second year is then to be spent developing ideas and materials for a second major project. Nobody expects the project to be finished in one year, but the second year provides the opportunity to write perhaps one major article on the topic, attend a couple of conferences, begin the archival work, etc. to launch the second major project of your career.

September 27, 2011 at 4:41 pm

I’m not sure what platform you’re using for the blog, but I *think* the easiest thing to do would be to copy and paste, and then “select all” and pick the font + size you want. Weird things happen when cutting and pasting, so I find handling it post-paste is often the simplest solution.

September 27, 2011 at 10:57 pm

i’ll try that.

September 27, 2011 at 7:56 pm

this (as always) sounds like great advice!

One thing you said made me think of a tangential question: How should a postdoc initiate casual meetings to get to know individual faculty members? Something like: “I would like to chat with you over coffee about subject X?” Is it necessary to have read something by that person before the meeting? Or can it just be more casual than that? –Forgive me, I know I am acting like a grad student here…

September 27, 2011 at 9:06 pm

No apologies necessary HERE! This is where you ask the grad student questions so that you don’t act like one out THERE!

So yes, it goes like this: “would you be free for coffee one day next week? I’d love to hear more about your work. It sounds fascinating!” And then, maybe try and skim something ahead of time, or at least visit their website. They’re flattered, and you think about ways that your work and theirs might have some productive connections. But don’t treat the coffee like an interview! Just a nice casual talk, starting with a bit of small talk about families and settling in, and so on, and then, “so, I saw that you’re working on/giving a talk on xxx. That is so fascinating! How is it going?” They talk. Eventually they’ll say, “So, enough about me. Tell me about YOUR work. I was so intrigued when I read your application, and I’m really glad you’re here.” Then you answer in a relatively brief and conversational (non-interview) way. And then it goes from there.

February 12, 2012 at 7:39 am

I am applying for a postdoc at an R1. The postdoc announcement calls for “a statement of interest, curriculum vitae, sample publications, and three letters of recommendation.” Would including a research proposal be too much to include with the standard 2-page cover letter? Since they didn’t ask for it, I don’t want to send too much; on the other hand, I don’t want to send too little. Your thoughts?

February 12, 2012 at 10:59 am

the phrase “statement of interest” is ambiguous here. It is not a “letter of interest” and it is not a “research statement.” I’d strongly advise that you contact them and ask which they want. And send that, and nothing else! Nothing alienates a committee more than extra materials that they don’t want.

May 3, 2012 at 8:59 pm

Hi Karen, I have decided to go back on the job market after four years in a tenure-track assistant professor position. My department changed leadership and the department is headed in a new direction, which does not suit my strengths. I plan to apply for postdocs, but I am in research transition and my new research is not related at all to my past research. My past research is purely scientific and my new research is headed towards science education. Although I have worked with people in the new field, gotten grants, presented at conferences, I have no science education publications. How can I make my application more competitive for a science education postdoc?

May 3, 2012 at 10:01 pm

I think you should seriously rethink this decision. I don’t know the details of your case, obviously, but it seems to me you’re about to completely derail your career. I’d suggest you stay at the current place and get tenure. Then move to a tenured position. Postdocs go to more junior people, typically, and you’d be unlikely to get one. If you did, once you took one, you’d be very unlikely to read tenure track land again afterward.

September 23, 2012 at 7:06 pm

Hello Karen,

I am in a similar boat. 4th year TT at an R4 in a department in the humanities. My research has steadily become more science-y in nature and I am not at all content with my current job. Because there are very few jobs in my area and I would like to work in a related, but different, discipline, I am considering a postdoc to get the training that I would need to do so. Is this categorically a bad idea? What does someone in this situation have to gain by getting tenured, getting loaded up with service so they can’t publish much and ultimately getting stuck in a job that makes them unhappy?

Thanks, confused

June 12, 2012 at 10:31 am

I am curious how you would adjust the postdoc cover letter to cater for a postdoc fellowship that is working on someone else’s project. It would seem logical to dispense with the month by month plan, but can I replace this with a paragraph addressing the specific skills the job ad mentions? This seems to not fit with the tone of the cover letter, but I’m not sure how else to pitch the letter.

June 12, 2012 at 1:02 pm

good question. I’d still be specific–if the other project has a timeline, reveal that you are familiar with it. If not, then as you say, speak to the specific skills required by the job.

June 13, 2012 at 3:08 pm

Great! Thanks!

And of course “I am familiar with software xyz” is telling, while “I worked with xyz software while working on abc project” is showing?

June 13, 2012 at 8:05 pm

yes, exactly.

August 1, 2012 at 11:22 am

I’m a lecturer in computer science department, got my PhD in April 2011. I was accepted as an academic visitor (3-12 months) in Warwick by a professor there who asked me to propose my own idea, secure my own funding and he will supervise and support my research. My government offers postdoc fellowships and I’m supposed to submit a proposal, get Warwick approval, then send it to them to get the funding. I never wrote a postdoctoral proposal before and made a lot of research and came to the conclusion that it ranges from something like a graduate research proposal, to something with cover letter, and budget. Then I came across your above post, which is by the way, very helpful. I think in my case it’s sufficient to have a 4-page research proposal, including the abstract, intro (state-of-the-art, limitations), objectives, work plan (methodology, timeline), and references. No? One more thing please. I’ve read the comments and questions above, some imply that postdoc is intended as a continuation of parts of the PhD work into books chapters and articles. Does that mean my proposal can include my future plans I had in my thesis?

August 2, 2012 at 3:21 pm

Your understanding seems to be accurate—but generally any postdoc competition will be very clear about the required docs and their length! So check that thoroughly and don’t hesitate to call someone at the agency to ask.

Your proposal must reflect the work you’ll actually do during the funded period. If your previous phd work can be brought to completion with time left over, then the proposal should clearly indicate what new research you’ll be doing.

October 3, 2012 at 6:01 pm

Hi Karen, One of the post-docs I’m applying to requires the following application materials: a curriculum vitae a detailed statement of research interests and teaching methods a writing sample of 20-30 pages detailed proposals for the two courses mentioned above three letters of recommendation

What is the “detailed statement of research interests and teaching methods”? A cover letter or a combination of research statement + teaching philosophy? Thanks !

October 4, 2012 at 11:04 am

Ah, I’m asked this so often I should write a blog post! The ‘detailed statement’ may be understood as a way of saying “cover letter.” It is ambiguous enough, however, that you would be justified in appending your RS and TS to the package as well, as optional additions.

October 6, 2012 at 9:15 am

There’s no “research project” mentioned among the required documents so I’ll just assume this is more than the usual cover letter; I did a 3-page document following the structure you suggested for the research statement + 1 page teaching philosophy. BTW, thanks for all the blog posts, I really appreciate what you’re doing.

September 23, 2016 at 7:56 am

Dear Dr. Kelsky, I am applying for a post-doc that asks for 40 page writing sample. The best piece of writing I have that directly relates to my research proposal and is under the 40 page limit is a combination of two chapters of my dissertation. Is it appropriate in this (or any other) case to include a note at the top of one’s writing sample that contextualizes the piece?

September 23, 2016 at 8:53 am

i should clarify that by combination of two chapters of my dissertation, I do not mean that one chapter simply follows on anther. I mean that I blend the concepts of two chapters into one shorter piece of writing. It is, frankly, somewhere between an article manuscript and short dissertation chapter.

October 10, 2012 at 6:53 am

Hi, I am trying to prepare a postdoc research proposal and my discipline is Education. I am a bit con fused that shall my proposal aim at doing something new or i aim or concentarte on the aspect of my research which i think needs further unfolding. For example, creating an educational model ina specific context. Can you pleae guide me in this respect. Furthermore, the template link in the above blog has not worked for me is there any other way of getting it. Pleae let me know. Many thanks the blog has cleared many other confusions i had in mymind.

November 8, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Great post!!! I am trying to write a proposal and tried the link above for the template to sort of get me started but it is not working. Can you kindly send me the working link or the template? Thanks

November 9, 2012 at 5:18 pm

the link is fixed now.

November 11, 2012 at 2:09 pm

Thanks a lot to the effort you have invested here. I am nearing the end of my PhD (in Germany) and I was brought in contact by my Prof with a Prof at Standford. He is looking for a postdoc and we have had a very nice chat, so after experssing my interest in his work he asked me to submit a detailed CV and a (statement of work). What I came to understand from him is that I should submit a project proposal, provide a summar of my skills and explain how would I fit in their group.

My question is how detailed should the statement of work be? I have looked on the web and I have found recommendations ranging from 2 pages to 15 pages. I am confused, in particular that I wont be applying for funding for example, since he has the funding already.

thank you again,

November 12, 2012 at 10:07 am

This is not a standard document, so we have to judge by what’s being asked. If you’re putting a project proposal, summary of skills, and a brief statement of fit, then that could certainly be 4-5 doublespaced pages long.

November 26, 2012 at 2:48 pm

Thank you again for the speedy reply. Well I honestly do not know if I should submit a detailed proposal, since the Prof. has already a project he wants to hire someone to work on and we have discussed that project actually. Also, I have seen on the web that its recommended for (statement of work) to use the (bullets) style, does that apply for such a case as mine?

November 22, 2012 at 7:14 am

thank you for your interesting description of Postdoc application requirements. I am just wondering what “A cover letter with an indication of (and justification for) the level of support requested” means (the application is for a Visiting Scholar Fellowship, suitable also for Postdocs) ? Should one write the “exact” amount of financial resources needed? Or simple the months (5 or 10) needed for your research?

November 27, 2012 at 12:21 pm

This should represent both the months of support you need, as well as the amount requested per month—in other words, the total amount needed and why—this would cover cases such as replacing a salary you currently get, supporting a family, paying for research…whatever your circumstances are. Presented without drama, self-pity, or rhetorical flourish–just the facts.

November 28, 2012 at 3:28 am

Thanks for the great post. I have some question regarding post doc app. In Europe, most of postdoc app require the candidate to demonstrate “how you meet the criteria of the post” (generally there is a list of essential and desire criteria), rather than a research proposal, or teaching statement etc.

Do I still need to do project and teaching plan or I can just “show” them how I have met the criteria.

In general, the postdoc/direction topic is already given when they advertised the job.

Any advice for this type of application?

November 28, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Hi Karen, I’m applying for a post-doc that specifically asks for a bibliography as part of the (3,000 word) research statement. How much of a bibliography should it be? I suspect that more than 1-2 pages is over the top. I’m a literature scholar, so the bibliography could be quite long… Thanks!

November 29, 2012 at 8:31 am

The biblio should be one full page max.

October 7, 2014 at 4:59 pm

Thank you so much for your post. I have a bibliography-related question as well. The ad for the postdoc I’m applying to asks for a Research Statement of no more than 2000 words, without specifying whether or not I should include bibliography in those 2000 words. What is the usual praxis? Could I write a 2000 word statement and then append a bibliography?

Thank you in advance!!

October 8, 2014 at 4:10 pm

The blbio will not count against the word limit.

December 12, 2012 at 7:36 pm

Hi! Thanks for the information here, it has really been helpful in getting my post-doc applications together . I still have a couple of doubts: 1) I’m interested in labs which are not directly related to my field of work (I’m from a biochemistry/signal transduction background, but the position is in immunology). They always “prefer graduates with a micriobiology/immunology background”. In my cover letter, after I outline my research ideas, should I still justify why I should be considered? Or will my research plan speak for itself?

2) It’s getting close to the holidays! Will it be sensible to send my applications now (by the 18th of Dec, latest) or wait until Jan? There are no deadlines per se, the lab websites only request post-doc applicants to write to the PI.

Thanks a lot!

January 13, 2013 at 5:21 am

I appreciate your post and have an atypical query I was wondering if you could answer? I earned a BS, MS, and Phd in molecular biology (5 1/2 year)s at UGA after a BS in psyhology and MS in neuroscience. I then did a post doc from 2006-11 but finances cut so my position was eliminated…that would be fine but my marraige was going south as we had a new child an I was working hard to save that, had a trauma based degenerative issue requiring several surgeries, my father died at 59 in a protracted death in 2011 which I spent with him blah blah. So in trying to be with my daughter after his death, I started a business that the humerous period continued (details if needed). SO HOW should I approach my letter and statements? My references are all solid, I am reasonably published, have comments extolling a great skill in research design and work ethic. But I REMAIN flummoxed as to how to assemble a professional letter when personal elements encroached on my tenure and I have been away for year (to be close to my daughter…a tough wrong move). Anything you can suggest would be most appreciated. Warm regards, Rich

January 13, 2013 at 10:46 am

When circumstances are this distinctive, only individualized work will help. I suggest you get in touch with me. However, to give a general rule: the most important thing in any job doc is to simply focus on what you’ve done, with no mention at all of what you haven’t, with no detailed explanations/justifications/excuses for any supposed “gaps.” At most you might say, after a substantive and factual description of your research and pubs, “A deaht in the family/a health issue required me to take a year’s hiatus in 2011. I am now returned to active research, and will be publishing….”

January 24, 2013 at 5:50 am

I’ve just discovered you’re website. It’s so helpful!

I’m currently applying for a three year UK post doc. You specify the differences for a one year and two year position, how would a three year position differ further?

The position is interdisciplinary, but I’m an anthropologist (researching ‘at home’), would it be appropriate to propose further significant ethnographic research?

Also have you written anywhere about realistic time periods to propose for chapter revision, article submission etc?

January 30, 2013 at 12:06 am

Thanks for the tips. The post doc position I am applying for includes a question of “advantages of doing post doc at the University”. Do you think it is reasonable to write that the position will provide a basis to revise my thesis and the opportunity to publish it as a book? Or do you think it sounds selfish?

March 14, 2013 at 7:12 pm

I wonder if there is any difference in applying for so-called “Teaching Post-Docs,” where the aim is to support the post-doc as s/he increases his/her teaching experience, with some research being expected but not specified… in fact, the one I’m thinking of doesn’t even want a research outline, just a cover letter and CV!

April 16, 2013 at 8:09 am

thank you for this great piece. I had no idea on how to apply for a post doc, but I followed your suggestions and not only did I get the job, my application was very complimented! Thank you so much!

May 3, 2013 at 6:44 am

Great advice, I appreciate your post. I have a question regarding IP and revealing an idea through a research proposal. I have a bad experience when I sent a comprehensive research proposal with full technical details of my own idea to one of the “great” professors in one of the top east coast universities. My application was rejected and the professor said he is not interested in my proposal. But, few months latter I found out one of his students is working on my idea with my proposed research methodology and technique! Now, I am considering applying for another lab, with another topic and proposal, but I afraid if the same experience happen. My question is, if I don’t send a proposal and just send a cover letter including my research interests would be workable?

Many thanks

August 26, 2013 at 6:40 pm

I have just come across this blog post as well as your previous one for crafting cover letters for academic positions. You mention the importance of tailoring your statements to the institution. Although you discuss the importance of mentioning specific faculty, how do you tailor your cover letter for different types of institutions, more specifically a research vs. a teaching one?

I apologize if you’ve dealt with this in other comments, there are just so many comments because of the fantastic quality of your posts. Thank you for your time!

September 19, 2013 at 6:47 am

Is it possible to sound too far along with turning your diss into a book for a postdoc? I’m applying for several 3-year postdocs, and they generally say that typically the first 2 years are devoted to turning the diss into a book and the 3rd year to a new book project. I finished my diss over a year ago, am in conversation with a major press about publication, and ideally plan to send them the manuscript for review next summer, before the postdoc would start. That may not happen, of course; maybe it will take me 2 years from now. And even if it does there would obviously be revisions based on the reviews from the press. So there are a number of ways I could lay out my 3-yr postdoc research plan. But are postdoc search committees more interested in your first than your second book, in terms of their place in your acknowledgments, etc? Or would the fact that an applicant is relatively far along with the first book be a plus?

September 20, 2013 at 9:24 am

I am curious about how ambitious a research proposal for a 3-year postdoc should be. I am ABD in Anthropology, finishing in June, and currently applying for two 3-year postdocs. Should I propose one year for submitting the book manuscript plus two years for new research? Also, because I’m an anthropologist, most new research would involve travel for data collection. Should I assume (and write into the proposal) that I can travel and collect data in the summer and analyze during the year? Thanks for your advice.

September 20, 2013 at 2:03 pm

yes, what you’ve described here is good. It is also possible to spend 2 years on book 1. Whatever you do, be sure and articulate a clear term-by-term timeline of work.

September 24, 2013 at 12:31 pm

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you! I’m currently applying for a post-doc that does *not* ask for a cover letter, but it does ask for a “personal statement” of 2000 words “outlining their completed research (including dissertation), work in progress, professional goals and plans for publication, and any other information relevant to their candidacy.” In this case, would you suggest combining the first few paragraphs of a standard job letter with a more detailed research proposal (as outlined above)? Many thanks for your help!

October 2, 2013 at 2:23 am

Hi, Karen- Thank you for sharing your expertise!

I’m applying for a writing program postdoc. Would you recommend changing the order, content, and length of my discussion about my research & teaching? I’ve been drafting a letter that goes into teaching for my 2nd & 3rd paragraphs, then goes on to discuss dissertation and research that I plan to pursue in the 4th paragraph. Thank you in advance for your response.

November 4, 2013 at 7:24 am

Do I need different letters of recommendation for postdocs and job applications? It took me 2 months to get the job rec letters from my advisers and dissertation committee members, so I am reluctant to ask for additional letters…

November 6, 2013 at 4:07 pm

This is so helpful. I am late to the party but perhaps Dr. Karen has insight on the “Personal Statement,” which is required by many post-docs and dissertation year fellowships? I’m currently working on two post-doc applications, for example, that ask for statements of research, teaching philosophy, and a “personal statement.” as both of these are minority post-docs, I’m tempted to infer that they want applicants to tell them stories about overcoming racism/sexism, and how these struggles inform their research. But perhaps I’m wrong? Thank you for this blog, it is very helpful!

November 10, 2013 at 11:49 am

the personal statement is a constant headache, and I don’t yet have a post on it, although I definitely will when I’m back to blogging (or in the book that I’m writing). The critical thing with the PS is that it folds your background into a NARRATIVE OF RESEARCH FOCUS! In other words, just telling about your childhood and all your hopes and dreams and struggles —which is what EVERYONE defaults to for this wreteched doc—is unhelpful. It has to still be an academic document, which merelyties together your personal background with the work of scholarship and teaching that you hope to do.

January 19, 2015 at 1:56 pm

Hi Karen: Have you addressed the personal statement yet. I showed a draft to my advisor & she indicated that I needed more specifics about what I expected out of the postdoc than the personal related narrative. Also, I received my doctorate in 1993. Since I have published a little but spent most time working in the public health field I am applying for – project managing, presenting, providing TA, conducting workshops, evaluating, consulting, conducting research – very actively engaged. But…how do I explain the many reasons for not going back into academia that will be acceptable & show I’m a valued candidate. Truth is, I wanted practical experience, had children, had to work, take care of my parents etc. & back then didn’t have a mentor to show me the value.

November 11, 2013 at 1:55 pm

I also have a quick question that is related to the PS or rather, via PS, to the diversity postdoc positions. I am seriously considering applying for one, I feel I can address the requirements very well but was wondering how much recruitment for these relies on candidates’ ethnicity. I am a white European from a former Eastern block country and not sure if I count as ‘diverse’ enough…? Any thoughts?

November 27, 2013 at 1:44 am

Dear Karen:

Thanks so much for this entry. It is extremely helpful. I am in my last year of a social science PhD program and was lucky enough to secure a tenure-track job for next year. One of the conditions I negotiated was being able to postpone my start date for a post-doc. I was wondering if you had any strong feelings about whether or not to include this new job in my post-doc application as I’ve received mixed advice from my dissertation committee and colleagues. If you do think mentioning it is a plus, how much emphasis should one give (i.e., list on the CV only, or also mention in the CL, PS, and/or RP)? Again, thanks for this and all your other posts!

January 5, 2014 at 3:58 pm

I stumbled across this website the other day while searching for tips on writing job and post doc applications. I can’t tell you how delighted I am to have found it because it is filled with heaps of useful advice. Thank you!

January 9, 2014 at 11:58 am

I am applying for a 3 year post-doc in history for recent PhDs. I finished my dissertation one year ago. My quandary: the application asks for a 500 word project description and a 2 page CV. In such a short proposal, what is the most essential information to include?

(Writers of successful proposals will be asked to later submit a longer application that includes a writing sample–but not a more detailed proposal–for the final selection process)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

February 12, 2014 at 7:51 am

Hi Karen, I am a finalist for a postdoc and I have a Skype interview scheduled. Is there a major difference between preparing for a postdoc Skype interview and a tenure track one?

February 12, 2014 at 9:04 am

Yes and no. All the regular interviewing rules apply (read all my posts on interviewing) but you’ll be focused on the specific things to be accomplished during the postdoc term, and in terms of teaching–ONLY the course or courses that are required under the postdoc (if any).

March 29, 2014 at 1:31 pm

Thank you for the thoughtful advice and insights. I am writing my first cover letter to apply for a postdoc at MIT. I was pretty stressed that I dont have a chance to be accepted there, but reading your post helped me to make sure I have done my best in preparing a cover letter which speaks of my experience and presents my personality well. The rest is out of my control 😉

Best, Helia

June 9, 2014 at 6:20 am

Dear Prof Karen Thanks for all the great informations. I am applying for the post-doc positions. Can you advise me on writing a cover letter to a post-doc positon, where its research is new for me, and not connected to my previous researches. I can quickly adapt to the new techniques.

Thanks a lot in advance

June 9, 2014 at 8:36 am

Email me at [email protected] to discuss whether I can help you or not.

June 28, 2014 at 4:27 am

Thanks for the info. I was very interested in what you were saying about showing willingness to participate in the intellectual life of the university. I am currently writing an application for a Philosophy postdoc and find some parts of it rather difficult (BTW, it is a pure research position, which is a good thing because I do not have the people skills to be a teacher, even “participation” is a stretch for me). The research proposal is fine. I think the work plan is OK, even if a bit repetitive (I write a journal article on this, on that etc.) But methodology? I’m a philosopher — I read stuff, think about it a while, and write something. Benefits of the project to the host institution? Why don’t you ask them? Qualities of host organization? Somewhat at a loss I just went through the staff list and had a quick look at their lists of publications. Is this the way to go, or is it too obvious? Transfer of knowledge? Writing articles again.

July 14, 2014 at 12:39 pm

On the Cdn front postdocs are highly centralised (mostly done through the federal tri-council online application system). On this end proposals are evaluated independently (and paid from govt funds) and we can choose where to hold them (assuming that department is willing to host us).

Two keys things I was told (and perhaps made the difference between an unsuccessful application last year and a successful one this year are: 1) to emphasis your suitability for a project and feasibility clearly (ie you’ve used this method, been to this country before, etc. etc.) 2) be very clear about outputs (how many articles, in what type of location?). Teaching is not usually required, but showing “fit” with the department you choose is important (list others doing related work, for example).

Gauging the relative enthusiasm of the department that would host you is also important (and sussing out what kind of space they have for you, whether they will have other postdocs, what kinds of opportunities there may be).

July 24, 2014 at 7:52 am

This is really helpful to hear – I am in the process of preparing my SSHRC postdoc application and trying to understand what aspects seem to really count. The consensus definitely seems to be that feasibility and fit matter greatly.

When you say gauging the enthusiasm of the department, do you mean this might be expressed in your own program of work or in the letter from your potential supervisor/the institutional nomination form?

August 20, 2014 at 5:08 am

Hi Karen, Thank you for your post, which I find extremely helpful. I am applying for a one year postdoc in social sciences which puts particularly emphasis on the training it offers to develop skills for future academic career. A 2 pages “Academic Career Statement” and a 2 pages “Research Proposal” are among the requested documents. I am particularly puzzled by the statement which requires indicating (in this order): (i) why I think that the programme in general, and its academic practice training/activities in particular, will benefit me; (ii) my research and teaching interests and experience, and career plans. Is this statement a kind of cover letter that requires putting significant and particular emphasis on why and how the programme will benefit my career plans? How would you suggest I structure it?

August 20, 2014 at 8:19 pm

You’ll want to sketch your research, then discuss why the program, dept and campus will serve that research program (be specific, name names!), and then articulate the longer-term career plan you envision. Finish with a conclusion tying it all together.

August 22, 2014 at 12:11 pm

September 17, 2014 at 1:54 pm

Hi, Karen. Thanks for this post. It was extremely helpful! I’m applying for a postdoc that requires both a research proposal (and assumes that you’ll be revising your dissertation into a book manuscript) and a dissertation abstract. My manuscript plans are to adapt my dissertation for an area studies audience, which will make the project less theoretically compelling but more marketable. With this in mind, I’m unsure of what “problem” I should highlight in the proposal–the one geared for the manuscript, or the one that drove the dissertation. Can I use the dissertation problem, but then explain how I’ll adapt it to an area studies audience? Thank you.

September 29, 2014 at 11:55 am

Question about the cover letter for postdoc

Mid cover letter you state: “After the discussion of research, the postdoc app letter will specifically discuss the plan of work for the postdoc year–ie, month by month, what new research and revisions will be made.”

At the end of the letter you say: “Lastly, in place of the typical tailoring paragraph, the letter will conclude with a brief paragraph explaining how the research and writing time of the postdoc will be used, how the scholarly community on campus will advance the project, and how the candidate will participate in said scholarly community.”

I am wondering if there is a distinction between “research and writing time” and plan for the postdoc year re: research and revisions? I assume that perhaps the later statement of yours is more of a summary statement? My postdoc CL has a limit of 1.5 pages so I’m trying my best to not be redundant. Any thoughts here?

September 29, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Right, the latter, tailoring part is not a timeline per se, it’s just a general statement of ways you envision contributing to life on campus and/or drawing from the resources there.

October 2, 2014 at 3:12 pm

I am currently applying for a 3-year post-doc at a university with two faculty members whose research and theory has been very influential on my own. I know one of them very well and the other not at all. Is it appropriate in a research proposal to mention that I would welcome interaction with these scholars, or does that sound too grad-studenty? The online application does not accommodate a cover letter.

October 3, 2014 at 8:57 am

All postdoc proposals will have a paragraph on contributions to/interactions with the faculty and programs.

October 4, 2014 at 11:22 pm

The 3-yr. postdoc I am applying to requires just a single, 3,000 words or less personal statement that summarizes everything (it’s a nightmare to write). As for the future research section, how specific should I be on my timeline? I would imagine that a month-by-month summary would take up too much of the document. Should I do semester-by-semester?

October 14, 2014 at 4:19 pm

I have a similar question. How should one structure the publication timeline over the course of three years? Paragraph form? A spreadsheet? I’m also asked to write 1 personal statement (2,000 words).

October 15, 2014 at 7:41 am

paragraph form. Just write, “in Fall 2015 I will….. In Spring I will turn to….”

October 25, 2014 at 6:27 am

Hi, and thank you for the post. I was wondering about whether it is appropriate to include chapter breakdowns for the book, and where they would go in terms of the breakdown you suggest. This was the advice I was given by a faculty member. The idea was that this would give some sense of the project as a whole, which could also be part of the timeline by including information about whether chapters had been published as articles, were still in draft form, needed to still be written, etc.

November 2, 2014 at 12:47 pm

Thank you Karen, very good tips! I have one question: the program I am applying ask to describe expected products. I expect to write a book manuscript during one year. It is sufficient? Or would be good to mention the submission of a paper to peer-reviewed journal also? Thanks!

December 3, 2014 at 11:00 am

Hi Karen, thanks very much for the extremely useful website! I recently applied for a Mellon Post-Doc at UofT, I did not, however, know about this page before. From what I’ve read, I might have most of what you are describing here, in the sense that I TRIED to convey these things in the application, but the work plan (so, as you say, what most applications fail to do), is only divided into years (2), and not terms, let alone months. I was wondering whether you’d think this implies immediate rejection of the project by the Committee and if so, what do you suggest should be the level of detail in the plan, for future reference? Month – journal I wish to publish in/title or theme of the article + topic to be researched during that month?

best wishes and thank you!

December 3, 2014 at 7:53 pm

I don’t think that issue alone would disqualify your application. Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

December 12, 2014 at 10:10 am

Uff, that’s a relief! Thank you, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for myself! 😉

December 10, 2014 at 1:52 pm

Hi Karen, Thank you for writing this helpful article. I’m applying for a post-doc that is specifically focused on conducting archival research for a broader project (in the humanities). Basically, the professor in charge of the project needed additional support. This seems to be a lot different than many of the post-docs I’ve seen. Since the research is for a bigger project, I was thinking of writing my statement as such: 2 paragraphs on my current research; 2 paragraphs on how my research and experience ties into the overall project and its goals; 1-2 paragraphs on how I intend to become an active member of the scholarly community at the university; 1-2 paragraphs on my future research plans. Any thoughts?

December 13, 2014 at 3:59 pm

I have a question about writing the research proposal for a research postdoc in which the plan is to turn the dissertation into a book. I know you very helpfully outlined this already in your comments, but I’m trying to tease apart the differences in how the dissertation is presented in the cover letter and the research proposal in this case.

I’m wondering whether it is (a) better to focus more heavily on the content of the dissertation in the paragraph in the cover letter and then refer to that in the research proposal, or (b) whether to be more brief in the cover letter and go into the details of the dissertation in regards to how it will be turned into a book in the research proposal. I guess what I’m asking is in this case, since the research proposal is about the dissertation + new/additional research for additional chapters, how do you recommend avoiding being too redundant when talking about the dissertation in both the cover letter & research proposal. Thanks so much!

January 10, 2015 at 3:11 pm

Dear Karen, I find your comments being very interesting and informative. Reading through them one can learn so much! I just completed my PhD in creative writing and am contemplating to apply for two year postdoctoral research in Europe. Would you be so kind as to advise what would be more beneficial for me: 1. make a two year proposal and in the first year work on the publications from my theoretical PhD exegesis; then embark on creation of another novel in a second year?

2. work on my Master of Arts by research book publication that has been in progress since 2009. Is it appropriate so to speak “step back” into the past study during the postgraduate research? 3. make a fresh proposal for a new novel and the theoretical exegesis and start all over?

Looking forward to hearing from you Many thanks Kind Regards Grazina

February 23, 2015 at 4:12 pm

One thing to keep in mind in 2014: A few departments (such as the one I am teaching in) have begun pitching the post-doc to the administration as the more humane alternative to an adjunct or series of adjuncts. Therefore we are seeing more post-docs expecting a 1/2 or 2/2 teaching load as well as research and publication requirements. If your post-doc ad wants you to teach more than the one course, it’s probably best to assume that you are replacing a lost tenure track line, and that teaching is really going to matter.

February 23, 2015 at 5:05 pm

This is valuable insight. thanks.

February 24, 2015 at 4:54 pm

Thank you for this very helpful post.

I’m working on a postdoc application right now that asks only for a letter, CV, writing sample, and references. The postdoc is heavily focused on raising the department profile (so thanks for your discussion of that in your post!), so applicants are asked to include a discussion of the proposed research project — along with a discussion of how we meet each of the six requirements.

In a case like this, would you still suggest sticking to two pages for the cover letter? It seems like quite a lot of information to squeeze into two pages, and I don’t want to shortchange any of the requirements or my research proposal. What do you think?

February 25, 2015 at 2:38 pm

My guess is if we worked together we’d accomplish it in two pages. 🙂 But if it requires the res project, pubs, timeline, AND proposed course(s), as well as the six requirements, I can see it might edge onto a third page, but I’d stop it at 2.5 pages max.

February 25, 2015 at 2:42 am

Hi Karen, I obtained my PhD in 2012. I’ve been self employed since then and doing ok. I also have 2 extra publications since my PhD and a book about to be published. I am told it is impossible to get a Post doc in North America due to the number of yours spent outside academics since 2012. Do you think it is still possible to get a post doc? I really want to return to academics. Regards, Richie.

June 4, 2015 at 8:36 am

I COMPLETED MY PHD LAST YEAR IN FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJORING IN FOOD QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE. CAN YOU GIVE ME IDEA OF AVAILABLE POSTDOC POSITIONS SO I CAN APPLY?

June 5, 2015 at 8:01 am

No. I don’t find or suggest postdocs. I help people on their proposals.

July 30, 2015 at 4:18 am

Dear Karen, I find your blog of much help and I am following your rules to tailor a good postdoc application. However, I am partecipating to a call for a postdoc position that requires a project of only three pages. I followed Dr. Karen’s Foolproof Grant Template and I think I achieved a good proposal but I do not have any space left for a proposed timetable/timeline. What you suggest to sort out this issue? Thank you S.

July 30, 2015 at 2:35 pm

You have to reduce all parts after the first two intro paras so that you DO have room for the timeline! If you worked with me, that’s what we’d do.

July 31, 2015 at 2:08 am

Dear Karen thank you very much for your kind help and for your answer. Honestly, am thinking about working with you

October 22, 2015 at 7:27 am

I have a question about the Academic Career Statement that is required to apply for a post-doc. Should the career statement be written in a cover letter format of the kind “Dear Mr. x” ? Thank you!

October 23, 2015 at 6:48 pm

i’m not sure what you mean by career statement, but docs for postdocs are not written as letters unless there is specifically a cover letter requested as part of the application.

November 15, 2015 at 10:07 am

Dear Karen,

I’ve searched your blog and read your book (thank you for both!), but I don’t see very much on crafting Personal Statements for postdocs. I’m working on one now that requires me to explain “why [I] should be selected for the program.” Following your general postdoc guidelines, I made a case for how my work both fits with what they already offer and injects some new blood. However, I’m finding a lot of advice about using the Personal Statement to “address strengths and weaknesses,” explain gaps in one’s CV, and “humanize” one’s application on other academic websites. For the sake of the insecure and broke, can you do some debunking and break down the Personal Statement the way you break down the Research Statement and Cover Letter?

Many thanks, Amber

November 28, 2015 at 2:22 am

Dear Karen, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I completed my PhD in 2011, and supervisors too busy (and important h’mm!) to discuss next steps. So I worked from home to turn my thesis into a book and happily it will be published in 2016. I would really appreciate your views on how to approach a potential mentor for post-doctoral research under some form of affiliation if no funding available. One scholar I would like as a mentor is inviting potential PhD applicants with research ideas to make contact. I wonder what sort of cover letter is appropriate to ask for post-doc support and whether to include a detailed research proposal. I am prepared to research without any funds as I have struggled this far without support. It’s the intellectual input I need to take forward new research. Any suggestions welcome, thank you. Sal

January 5, 2016 at 3:27 am

Thank you very much for this very useful and helpful blog post, and for your very useful book.

I am currently finishing my PhD and applying to postdocs. For two applications, they request me to submit a CV and a research proposal, but no cover letter. I decided to ‘integrate’ a cover letter in the research proposal (400 words over the 1500 requested for the research proposal). Is it a good solution? what would be your advice in such situation?

These two positions are fellowship where we can join as pre- or postdoc, and they main ‘obligation’ to the fellows is to publish/complete a writing over the year, either completing a chapter as pre-doc, or publishing the PhD as postdoc, or write and publish an article. They ask for a 1500 words research proposal, I allocated 500 words to the publication of my thesis, giving some details on its content but mainly focusing on why I should have it published and why this publication is needed and timely, and then 9 have about 700 words and on a new project, for which I clearly state that it will be a long-run project to be completed over several year and I intend solely to initiate it during the postdoc and participate in conferences to present it. First, do you think this is a good idea to say that i will ‘only’ initiate the project with them? may be i could argue this will then constitute a good asset for my future ‘world class career’ as you mentioned in the blog post? Also in such case, how detailed should be the work plan?

Thank you very much in advance.

I wish you a nice day.

September 14, 2016 at 3:18 pm

Hi Dr. Kelsky,

Thank you so much for your work – it has been so helpful to me as I navigate the stressful job and postdoc application process.

I have a specific question about how to format the documents for one postdoc in particular. This application asks for a “personal statement” of 1500 words max, which details “completed research, works in progress, professional goals and plans for publication, and other relevant iformation” in addition to a 500-word statement discussing (essentially) “what the institution can do for you and what you can do for the institution”.

My question is this: Is the “personal statement” more like a research statement, or should it be written more like a cover letter? Incidentally, there is no cover letter requested with this appliacation.

October 17, 2016 at 12:03 pm

Hi Dr.Kelsky. Thank you for the post, I found it useful. But I have specific question, what is an academic career statement? Is it different from cover letter or research statement? Thank you in advance

November 27, 2016 at 11:34 am

Thank you so much for this post. I’m not sure if you are checking comments on this post anymore, but just in case, I have a question. I am working on my application for a post-doc position that asks for a “a 3-5 page (double-spaced) statement of research interest/research proposal.” What kind of document do you imagine they are looking for here? The research proposal that you’ve outlined here, that sort of resembles a grant proposal? Or a more traditional research statement?

Many thanks.

February 28, 2017 at 4:49 am

Dear Karen, a word of thanks for the tips and advises on how to compile a postdoc application. I hope to apply for a postdoc and the tips you shared here have been helpful

August 26, 2017 at 8:03 pm

Hi Dr Karen, Brilliant post, edgy and very informative. Thank you so much!

A couple of small suggestions: – the link to the ‘writing the cover letter’ post seems to be broken, though i found it through a site search. – I’d place this reply box before the other comments – since there have been many commenters (which is the best possible problem, isn’t it?! :D) scrolling to get here takes a while.

I’m so glad you wrote this post since I’m about to write said proposal and have no idea. Now i have some idea how to position myself.

September 5, 2017 at 11:18 am

Hi Karen! Thank you so much for this very helpful post.

I have a question about pitching courses for the postdoc. I am applying to a humanities postdoc that asks for two courses: one, an introduction to a topic of my choice for first and second-year students from different fields, and the second, a more advanced seminar in my own discipline aimed at juniors and seniors in my host department.

Your post above recommends designing a specific course that bears a clear relationship to your diss work, while speaking to a broader field. I have done this for the advanced course, but wonder if, in this case, it might be a nice complement to offer something more general for the introductory-level course. I am considering proposing an introductory lecture on film & media theory (my field), which I do not see offered in any of the university’s departments (but they do state film as one of the fields appropriate for the postdoc).

My line of thought is that this could offer something new to the university, and since film is an inherently interdisciplinary field, it speaks to the call to offer a class that could draw students from different departments. (In my current university, we get tons of students from sciences and other humanities in our courses.) I have also already sole-taught a version of this course, which I am eager to develop further.

Thanks for your input!

September 9, 2017 at 6:29 am

I’m currently in the process of applying for a post-doc at a major R1 three years after the doctorate. I would like to use this time to convert my dissertation which I feel has strong publishing potential (and already has a chapter in the works with a major publisher)into a book. In the “project plan” description can I describe my dissertation, current publications, and my timeline for converting it into a contracted book, or do I need a whole new “study”? If the latter, is there any way that I can “connect” a “new” study to my underlying objective of publishing my dissertation manuscript into a book? My current position does not grant me the time or resources to commit to this project to the same degree a post-do would. THANK YOU!!

October 17, 2017 at 11:26 am

Thank you all, especially Dr.Karen. I am writing postdoc RS and still learning about it.

I have some questions: How do you calculate the budget that you need for turning of the dissertation into a book? Or budget for a future research? Also I read elsewhere “include potential funding partners”, is it requirement to find a funding source to apply a postdoc?

January 29, 2018 at 1:42 pm

Dear Dr. Kelsy,

I learned a lot concerning postdoc applications thanks to your blog posts and your book.

I do have a question though regarding certain postdoc fellowships that only demand a cover letter (and no research proposal or statement). How not to exceed two pages in that case, when you need to address past and future research as well as teaching experience and goals in one document?

Any advice? Thank you in advance.

October 4, 2018 at 5:23 am

The link to the general job application cover letter post (“Why Your Job Application Cover Letter Sucks”) is broken; this is the correct link: http://theprofessorisin.com/2016/08/26/why-your-job-cover-letter-sucks/

February 8, 2020 at 12:24 am

This is amazing. Thank you very much. I had been looking for advice about a postdoc application and never found anything valid out there.

Thank you so much for this post.

August 20, 2020 at 2:02 pm

I understand why it is important to present yourself as a colleague rather than a student. However, I’m seeing postdoc calls that ask applicants to identify a “faculty mentor” which, to me, suggests they’re thinking of the postdoc more like a student than a colleague. Is this a sign that an application written in the tone of a confident colleague would not be well received? Are they instead looking for sentences communicating sentiments like “I want/need mentorship?” Or should the language of “faculty mentor” just be disregarded as a quirk?

August 26, 2020 at 12:25 pm

this is a v. good question. In this case, yes,they want youto imagine a mentorship relationship but even there, it should be less like: “I’m a studetn in need of teaching” and more, “I’m a junior scholar who will benefit from some conversation and support.”

[…] career. However, it’s not exactly the same application process, but more like some kind of job-PhD application hybrid . Finally, from everything I’ve read it seems like it won’t ever be too early to start thinking […]

[…] The Postdoc App: How It’s Different and Why […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Who Is Dr. Karen?
• Who Is On the TPII Team?
• In The News
• Why Trust Me?
• Testimonials
• Peer Editing
• PhD Debt Survey
• Support Fund
• I Help With Custody Cases for Academics

Get on my schedule to work on your tenure track job cover letter, CV, grant applications, book proposals, interview preparation, and more.

Check for Openings