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'How Not to Get a Postdoc'

September 02, 2010

Over at Isis the Scientist's blog, a new academic PI shares satirical "tips on how not to get a postdoc in academia." For example, if you "Write in the cover letter that you would rather work somewhere else and that you are applying for this job as a Plan B in case Plan A doesn't work out," or "suggest that the PI fly you in from Australia to check out the facilities in order to decide whether you should bother to apply," there's a good chance you won't land the job. Applicants who "inquire about the salary before you are even short-listed" generally don't fare well, Dr. M says. All sarcasm aside, Dr. M's tips on how not to land a postdoc are telling. "These things seem rather common sense to me, but clearly they aren't obvious to everyone," the new PI writes. In a comment to this post, reader KBHC adds that applicants should "not use ALL CAPS in your query letter … I have gotten several letters that say things like: 'Dear Dr. CLANCY, I am writing because I am interested in REPRODUCTIVE ECOLOGY even though I actually study SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT. I don't have a JOB right now but below are my LETTERS OF REFERENCE from my LAST POSITION."

I have interviewed a lot of

Submitted by S. Pelech - Kinexus on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 17:12.

I have interviewed a lot of graduate students and post-doctoral trainees over the last 24 years, and it is truly amazing the diversity of application letters that I have received. Unfortunately, most graduate student applicants just want to get accepted into a lab, and they don't really much care whose lab at that point. For people from Pakistan, India and China, anywhere in North America is probably fine. In the case of post-doctoral fellows, the research in my lab is somewhat of more interest, but again from the former mentioned countries, they are not too fussy. For these and any other trainees, it is extremely important for them to do their homework to ensure that the graduate studies or post-doctoral experience is optimal for both parties.

The applicant should really have a genuine interest in the nature of the research in the mentor's lab. If it is very different from the past experiences of the applicant, he or she better have a good explanation for why they are seeking a change and why they are excited about the prospects about coming to the mentor's lab.

The applicant has to make a good case why he or she would be a good addition to the mentor's lab based on their research experiences and demonstrated scholastic abilities.

The applicant's cover letter and c.v. should be meticulous in its organization, spelling and grammar. While this can be problematic for foreign applicants for whom English is a second language, it is extremely revealing to have numerous errors in this regard from applicants in which English is their first language. A lack of attention to details in such important documents probably translates to sloppiness in the lab.

If the potential mentor shows interest in taking on a new trainee, the applicant should use this opportunity to learn even more about the mentor and their lab. One good start is to request copies of the mentor's c.v. and most recent publications. The applicant should then start to match up the information about the lab personnel and funding from the c.v. with the overall productivity of the lab. Also enquire about the future directions and plans of the mentor and make sure that these align with the trainee's expectations. A potential mentor will respect that the applicant is a thoughtful and careful candidate who is doing their homework and looking to come to a lab where they can flourish.

If the applicant is accepted into a mentor's lab, then they should also be fully prepared to commit themselves to their career development. In my pre- and post-doctoral experiences, which include the laboratories of several outstanding scientists, even if the environment is great, success is mostly contingent on how the applicants apply themselves.