Academic Job Search Series

Academic Job Search Series logo with a magnifying glass over an academic building

Upcoming Events

Spring 2024

Should I Do a Postdoc?

  • March 28, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
  • Presenters: Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies and Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development

Accommodations: We strive to make our events accessible to all community members. Individuals who would like to request accessibility accommodations should contact futurefaculty@cornell.edu. We ask that requests be made at least one week in advance to help ensure they can be met.


Archived Presentations

We are pleased to make video-on-demand recordings, slides and handouts for recent workshops available to the broader Cornell community. For accessibility questions or requests, please contact futurefaculty@cornell.edu


About the Series

In 2023-2024, we are offering two types of events, both co-sponsored by the Office of Postdoctoral Studies and Future Faculty and Academic Careers. All events are currently offered as Zoom meetings or webinars.

Academic Job Search Workshops

Interested in learning more about the Academic Job Search process, and the materials you will need to gather for an application? Come to interactive workshops to learn more through presentations and activities. Remote connection is available via Zoom with advance registration. You can always check out our video on demand recordings and archived presentation slides and handouts, linked above.

Job Search Discussion Groups

We are gathering a supportive community of peers where you can discuss your experiences while preparing for job searching and as a candidate. Bring questions, problems, and things you’ve always wondered about to these periodic discussions aimed at graduate students and postdocs. RSVPs are required.

For questions or accessibility needs to participate in the Academic Job Search Series, please contact the sponsoring Cornell Graduate School Career and Professional Development offices at: futurefaculty@cornell.edu or postdocs@cornell.edu

Or, contact us about your suggestions for future programming or to book an individual consultation!


Past Events

Should I Do a Postdoc? 

  • October 3, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET
  • Presenters: Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies; Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development; Susi Varvayanis, Executive Director of Careers Beyond Academia
  • Topics discussed will include: reasons to do a postdoctoral position, types of postdocs, how to apply and get funded

Writing a Research Statement for a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

  • Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 12:00-1:30 pm ET
  • Presenter: Jeffrey Werner, Professor of Chemistry, SUNY Cortland
  • Through an interactive online discussion,  presenter Dr. Jeffrey Werner (Professor of Chemistry at SUNY Cortland) will help job-seekers interested in faculty positions at four-year colleges and universities (e.g., primarily undergraduate institutions, or PUIs) outline a research statement that highlights plans to mentor undergraduate students in research.

Developing a Narrative For Your Teaching Statement

  • Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 12:00-1:30 pm ET
  • Presenters: Derina Samuel, Associate Director for Graduate Student Development, Center for Teaching Innovation and Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development, Cornell Graduate School
  • Through presentation and discussion, we will explore essential elements of a teaching statement for an academic job application. You’ll leave prepared to start your first draft Teaching Statement or to revise an existing one to make sure it accurately reflects your philosophy and experience.

Writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 12:00-1:30 pm ET
  • Facilitators: Derina Samuel, Associate Director for Graduate Student Development, Center for Teaching Innovation; Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies; Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development, Cornell Graduate School
  • Come discuss how to approach writing the diversity statement sometimes requested as part of academic faculty or postdoctoral job applications. We will share examples and guidance from Cornell and other colleges and universities and prompt you to think about ways in which you do, or could, contribute to a university’s mission.
  • Slides and handouts available in Box (requires Cornell Net ID)

The Application Process for an Academic Job

  • Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 12:00-1:15 pm ET (Meets by Zoom)
  • Presenters: Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies and Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development, Cornell Graduate School
  • To kick off the 2022-2023 Academic Job Search Series for Cornell graduate students and postdocs, come learn about the process of searching for a U.S. faculty job from start to finish: when to apply for faculty and other academic positions, what documents are required, and how long the process takes. Bring your questions for an interactive online discussion.
  • Slides available in Box (requires Cornell Net ID)
  • Recording of May 31 on Cornell Video on Demand

Related: Future Professors Institute: Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in the Academy (2023)

  • Tuesday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 7, 2023
  • Sessions: Exploring Your Institutional Fit, Academic Career Pathways Outside of the Tenure Track, and disciplinary breakout sessions on Establishing Your Scholarship and Research Agenda as a New Faculty Member, plus a keynote talk by Dr. Damani White-Lewis, University of Pennsylvania.
  • Space limited! Priority Registration Dates: May 26 (for In-Person Participation), June 2 (for Virtual Participation)

Interviewing and Negotiation for Academic Positions

  • February 7, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET
  • November 15, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET
  • February 10, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET
  • Monday, October 31, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET
  • Wednesday, February 10, 2022 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm ET
  • Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm ET
  • Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm ET
  • Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm
  • Presenters: Yael Levitte, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity, and Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies
  • Archived recordings available in Cornell Video on Demand and slides and handouts in Cornell Box

Graduate Student and Postdoc Job Search Virtual Discussions

  • Thursday, January 18, 2023 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
  • Monday, December 12, 2022 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
  • Friday, January 21, 2022 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
  • Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 10:00-11:00 am ET
  • Wednesday, July 21, 2021 from 10:00-11:00 am ET
  • Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm ET
  • Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET
  • Tuesday, March 23, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 am ET
  • Come ask any questions you want, and “meet” the Graduate School career and professional development staff who support research degree students and postdoctoral scholars! This discussion will cover academic and non-academic careers.
  • Facilitators: Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies; Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development; Susi Varvayanis, Executive Director of Careers Beyond Academia
  • Accommodations: We strive to make our events accessible to all community members. Individuals who would like to request accessibility accommodations should contact futurefaculty@cornell.edu. We ask that requests be made at least one week in advance to help ensure they can be met.
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