The Academic Job Search Series is sponsored by The Graduate School and the Office of Postdoctoral Services.
Fri Sept 12, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
WHAT: Preparing for Postdocs in STEM Disciplines: What to Know Before You Go
WHERE: Fitzpatrick CIEMAS 1411 (across from Schiciano Auditorium)
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4N3sDXGfvIcMj54
In this session, four Duke postdocs in STEM fields will share their stories and tell us how to successfully navigate the process of finding a postdoc position. The conversation will be moderated by Bhairavy Puvindran (Ph.D. candidate, Biomedical Engineering), Career Development Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE).
Panelists:
- Celine Cammarata, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Neurobiology
- Sarah Hadyniak, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Neurobiology, and President of Duke University Postdoctoral Association
- Brean Prefontaine, PhD, AiiCE Postdoctoral Associate (Computer Science)
- Tyler Reekes, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Anesthesiology
Tues Sept 30, 11 am -12 pm
WHAT: Taking the PhD Job Search International
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eS6tUc4mrvAQNtY
If you’re considering an international job search, what can you expect? Learn from Hal Matthews, Associate Director for Global Careers, the differences between job-searching domestically and internationally and the timeline you can follow if you’re seeking international positions. Hal will also highlight initiatives by countries seeking to attract PhDs, including those with the most viable pathways and those that are doing targeted recruitment.
For those interested in teaching-focused positions in the EU and UK, Hugh Crumley, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, will describe the Advance HE fellowship, a common teaching credential for faculty roles abroad. Hugh has recently led a pilot group of graduate students developing their Associate Fellowship application materials and will identify common challenges and share advice for pursuing the credential.
We’ll conclude the session by speaking with Elia Romera-Figueroa, AM’20, PhD’23 (Romance Studies). Dr. Romera-Figueroa has recently transitioned from a role as a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, to Assistant Professor of Language and Literature at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She will share her experience searching for postdocs and faculty positions in the EU, along with advice for current PhD students and postdocs who might also pursue careers abroad.
View the recording on Warpwire (Duke NetID authentication required)
Weds Oct 1, 1-2 pm
WHAT: Preparing for Postdocs in the Social Sciences and Humanities
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dd4tXYen5XfS5bE
Join a panel discussion featuring Duke Ph.D. alumni currently in postdoctoral roles to gain insights on navigating the application process for these positions, as well as making the most of your time in a postdoc.
Panelists:
- Alexis Holloway, PhD’25 (Cultural Anthropology), CFD Postdoctoral Fellow and Visiting Lecturer, Mount Holyoke College
- Elliot Mamet, PhD’22 (Political Science), Postdoctoral Research Associate and Lecturer, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
- Kevin O’Neill, PhD’24 (Psychology & Neuroscience), Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Psychology, University College London
We will address the questions below to start the conversation. Attendees can share additional questions for the panelists through the registration process.
- Can you tell us about your current position and what is expected of you as a postdoc? (e.g., teaching, presentations, mentoring/advising students, etc.)
- What advice would you offer to current grad students for crafting their application materials for postdoc positions? How do these materials differ from applications for faculty positions?
- Why did you pursue a postdoc? How do you see this experience fitting into your professional trajectory?
- What’s one piece of advice you’d share for making the most of a postdoc experience?
View the recording on Warpwire (Duke NetID authentication required)
Thurs Oct 9, 10-11 am
WHAT: From Vision to Reality: 4 Steps to Creating & Executing Your Individual Development Plan
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Ap7iL8xFQE423A
For better or for worse, your experiences and the training you receive as postdoctoral researchers and graduate students can greatly shape the rest of your career. However, there are strategies and resources that can increase your chances of getting what you came for. During this program, participants will learn how to develop clear and specific goals and objectives, along with a plan for executing them in an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
You’ll learn:
- An approach to setting meaningful, achievable goals aligned with your long-term vision.
- A structured planning routine to manage your time effectively.
- How to speak with your mentor about your goals and strategies to address any misalignments in expectations and needs.
Speaker: Dara Wilson-Grant is Director of Postdoctoral Career and Professional Development at the UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. With over fifteen years experience providing career management education and counseling, Dara’s mission is to help individuals develop a framework for choosing a meaningful and rewarding career path, plus develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of career success.
Weds Dec 3, 1-3 pm
WHAT: The Inclusive Research Mentor
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aidHyCZKfqq4pcW
College teaching extends beyond the classroom into research environments. Over the course of your career you may have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or postdoctoral fellows in research. Join us in this interactive, virtual workshop as we discuss inclusive approaches and behaviors that can be employed across disciplines. This workshop is facilitated by Dr. Courtnea Rainey, Assistant Dean for Assessment & Evaluation in The Graduate School.
