*Please note: If the university’s ban on in-person events continues, please ensure that you are following their guidelines and planning online panels and events. FAQs about a return to campus can be found here.
This is a brief guide for postdoctoral scholars who would like to take the lead in organizing a workshop event in their department on the discipline-specific requirements involved in searching for a faculty position. We encourage you to work with you department to cover the costs of your event. The OPA will help to encourage this by sharing the cost of catering for up to $200 per event (catering costs do not apply for virtual events).
Event Guide: Four steps to a successful panel event
*Note that the OPA does not plan this event. Postdocs and their collaborators are responsible for planning all aspects of the event.
- It is key to plan ahead and prepare for the event. Start at least 8 weeks out. Find a space first as this usually dictates the date and time. We recommend a room in your department to make it convenient for everyone. Your department administrator can probably help you to identify and reserve an appropriate room for the event. If an event is online and space is not an issue, focus on finding a good time for the involved faculty.
- Make use of the expertise of your department faculty. Recruit two recently hired faculty and two faculty who have recently participated in faculty searches in your department. Schedule a 1.5 hour panel discussion and invite all postdocs and senior graduate students in your department.
- Encourage attendance early and often. Set up an RSVP survey using Qualtrics, which is free for Ohio State staff. Send e-mails out to postdocs 4-3 weeks out. We find that lunch time or 3-5 PM are the best times for postdoctoral events. If available, recruit administrative help from your department to send invitation and set up the catering (if applicable). The OPA can provide a list of postdocs in your department if you need it. You may want to include senior graduate students in your department as well, especially if you are in a discipline where graduate students frequently move directly into faculty positions.
- Prepare to facilitate the discussion. You can facilitate the discussion during the event or recruit a faculty member. One effective approach is the structure the discussion using Chapter 2 of The Academic Job Search Handbook. You can take questions from the audience and/or use the following questions:
For the faculty who have recently participated in faculty searches:
- How are faculty positions defined and advertised?
- Describe the candidate screening process
- What are hiring committees looking to get out of the on campus interview?
- Describe the final decision making process
- What are negotiable aspects of an offer
- Is it better to be in an interdisciplinary area?
- What are you looking for in the letters of recommendation?
For the newly hired faculty:
- How much time did it take you to find your positions (how many hiring cycles)?
- Did you get a grant as a postdoc? Is that necessary?
- How did you decide where to apply?
- How much of a role did your postdoc advisor play in your job search? Other mentors? Your professional network?
- Who did you ask for letters of recommendation?
- What are the components of a typical application packet?
- What are good strategies for planning and timing your search?
Please note that your department must be willing to fund the event up front. If your application for funding (link below) is approved, OPA will ask for a budget and receipts, and then issue a reimbursement (up to $200) to your department after the event. To apply for funding from the OPA please fill out the application here