PhD Plus STEM Future Faculty: Fall 2020

STEM future faculty

PhD Plus STEM Future Faculty module is designed for all Postdoctoral scientists and STEM PhD candidates in advanced years of training (collectively called ‘trainees) who are interested in faculty careers and independent research careers in universities and research institutes across the United States.

Summary of Pilot in Fall 2020

In the Fall 2020 pilot, 75 trainees (42 Postdocs, 33 PhD students) participated in the series and 16 trainees (11 Postdocs and 6 PhD students) completed 50-75% of the series. We heard from 3 participants (2 Postdocs and 1 PhD student) who received multiple faculty job offers in last year’s hiring climate. 

FALL 2021 Topics

We encourage attending level 1 training on assessment and planning for intentional participation in relevant skills training offered in level 2. The Level 1 and majority of level 2 of STEM Future Faculty Skills training will be offered online as a bootcamp between July 14 and July 28 at 4 pm - 5 pm.

 1. Assessment & Planning

LEARNING GOALS

 In these three sessions, STEM faculty aspirants will learn strategies to

  • Assess their interests, skills and practical considerations

  • Learn about landscape of faculty and research positions that align with their interests

  • Gather data and analyze range and criteria of success of faculty hiring process

  • Build and expand professional community for career research and preparation

  • Integrate career development goals into individual development plan

TOPICS AND SCHEDULE

1.1 Career Assessment | July 14 | 4-5 pm

1.2 Leveraging community for career assessment | July 15 | 4-5 pm

1.2 Funding Discovery & Career Planning | July 16 | 4-5 pm

2. Skills training

In the skills training modules, trainees can participate in one or more module based on their learning goals and interests. The skills training modules are offered in collaboration with university partners as indicated.

2.1 Independent Research

LEARNING GOALS

Each session will provide opportunity to

  • Broaden knowledge of roles and responsibilities of research faculty and principal investigators

  • Apply theories of strategic thinking to develop short-term and long-term research plan, and startup plans and budget

  • Discuss best practices of communicating research through research statements, job talks and chalk talks

  • Provide considerations and best practices of managing, as well as mentoring lab members

TOPICS AND SCHEDULE

2.11 Strategic Thinking | July 20 | 4-5 pm

2.12 Anatomy of a Pitch | July 21 | 4-5 pm

2.13 Research statement | July 22 | 4-5 pm

2.14 Job Talk & Chalk Talk | July 22 | 4-5 pm

2.15 Managing Lab & mentoring| July 27 | 4-5 pm

2.16 Lab Startup and finances| July 28 | 4-5 pm

Registration will open soon for Level 1 and Level 2.1.

Schedules for Level 2.2, 2.3 and Level 3 are forthcoming.

2.2 Teaching

LEARNING GOALS

Each session will provide opportunity to

  • Deepen knowledge of inclusive and equitable teaching practices for students with diverse learning needs

  • Commit to applying inclusive and equitable teaching practices in the classroom

  • Explore components of a teaching statement, and be familiar with evaluation rubrics for teaching statements

  • Reflect on inclusive teaching philosophy and communicate through teaching statements

TOPICS AND SCHEDULE

2.21 Reflective Teaching Statements | TBD | 4-5 pm

2.22 UVA Acts Inclusive Teaching Toolkit: First Days |TBD | 4-5 pm

2.23 UVA Acts Inclusive Teaching Toolkit: Lectures | TBD | 4-5 pm

2.3 Diversity & Inclusion

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Reflect on values, philosophy and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in research and teaching 

  • Develop diversity statement

  • Discuss and review diversity statement

TRAINING STEPS AND SCHEDULE

This module will be in asynchronous format and will involve writing reflections, submitted writing prompts, diversity statement workshop, discussions and review. Follow these steps towards developing a holistic diversity statement

  1. Writing reflections: Based on prompts, reflect and write a first draft of diversity statement.

  2. Submit writing prompts via Qualtrics by September 30

  3. Discuss and review your diversity statement draft with peers in early October

  4. Workshop from mid-october: Guided by instruction videos posted in mid-October, refine and finalize diversity statement

  5. Submit final diversity statement for review by faculty and staff directors of diversity.

Instructor: Jasmine Crenshaw, Director of Diversity Programs, Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs.

Register below to participate and receive instruction material.

3 Job Search Series

TOPICS AND SCHEDULE

3.1 Job search and building professional community

3.2 Applications: CV and Cover letter

3.3 Interview

3.4 Negotiations