Summer Webinar Series
The Academic Job Search, Application and Interview Process
Daniel Olson-Bang, PhD
STEM Career Services, LLC
Join us for a new webinar series this summer, ideal for those of you planning for the academic job market!
On behalf of STEM Career Services, Dr. Daniel Olson-Bang, an adjunct professor and academic career/professional development director, will lead four sessions to guide you through the entire process.
Academic Job Market Overview (Thursday, July 20, 1 p.m.)
Beginning an academic job search can be daunting—from submitting numerous documents, to first- and second-round interviews, and more. We will discuss various aspects of this process and consider establishing an appropriate timeline, plus steps you can take to make yourself an excellent candidate.
Crafting Effective CVs and Cover Letters for Academic Positions (Thursday, August 3, 1 p.m.)
Hiring committees are responsible for reviewing and scoring applicants for a given position. Ultimately, impactful materials make the difference between moving on and being thrown into the “no” pile. This session will offer tips about what makes great application documents that stand out, as well as strategies to move your candidacy to the next stage.
Teaching, Research and Diversity Statements (Thursday, August 17, 1 p.m.)
The complexity of the Research, Teaching, and Diversity Statements often requires the subtlest and precise crafting. The Research Statement highlights the value of your work to date, but more crucially, tells the committee about your bright future. Diversity Statements attest to the ways in which you support diversity, inclusion and equity in all that you do—whether in the lab, the classroom, or in service. A commonly misunderstood document, the Teaching Statement reveals your burgeoning identity in the classroom. Learn how to make these essential documents core to an unforgettable package.
Academic Interviewing (Thursday, August 31, 1 p.m.)
All interviews are stressful, but academic interviews offer complexities and challenges that are unlike other types. This session will walk you through types of academic interviews and the committee’s expectations as it moves towards a final selection.
For those of you who complete the series, Office of Education Director Dr. Erin Walsh will be available to provide individualized guidance and support as you prepare your application materials (this cycle or next). This includes one-on-one meetings and review/feedback of your drafts.
Please email Ms. Veronica Harker (veronica.harker@nih.gov) to receive the Google document for registering. A Zoom link will be provided to you before each session.
Do You Have an Outstanding Mentor?
The time has come for you to nominate your fellow or PI for the 2023 NICHD Mentor of the Year Awards. This is your chance to recognize an individual whose mentoring has made a difference in your life at the NICHD!
Below is the link to obtain information about the NICHD’s two annual intramural Mentor of the Year Awards, one for a fellow and one for an investigator. Please submit your nomination form and a 500-word (maximum) narrative electronically to Ms. Veronica Harker (veronica.harker@nih.gov).
The submission deadline is Monday, July 31st.
Please contact the Office of Education if you have any questions about the nomination instructions or selection process. Information available at: Mentor of the Year Awards.
Science Writing Opportunities for Al Fellows
Have you always wanted to try science writing? If you would like to write an article this summer or suggest a topic for this newsletter, please contact our editor, Dr. Shana Spindler (shana.spindler@nih.gov).
Save the Date: Graduate & Professional School Prep
Tuesday, August 1, 1 p.m.
“Interviewing for Professional School”
Scott Morgan, Public Speaking Coach
Building 35, Room 610
Join us (in-person!) on Tuesday, August 1, 1 p.m., for Scott Morgan’s workshop “Interviewing for Professional School.”
Those of you planning for the graduate or medical/professional school interview trail, this is a fantastic workshop for learning interview strategies and gaining confidence.
In this highly interactive session, you will learn:
- Tips to help you prepare for your interviews and present yourself professionally
- Types/examples of questions you can expect
- Strategies for delivering your best answers
- Types of questions to ask your interviewers
- Adapting your interviewing skills to virtual platforms
To register, please email Ms. Veronica Harker (veronica.harker@nih.gov) for access to the Google document online.
Save the Date: Annual NICHD Grant Writing Workshop
Wednesday, August 2 (Virtual)
Paula Gregory, PhD, University of North Texas
For those of you interested in grant writing and NIH funding opportunities, join us on Wednesday, August 2, for a virtual one-day workshop!
Led by Dr. Paula Gregory, Professor, Physiology & Anatomy, Associate Dean for Faculty & Educational Development, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas, this one-day workshop will provide participants with the concepts and structure to plan and prepare a successful grant proposal. Through didactic presentations and active discussions, participants will learn to develop a rigorous research approach and a well-defined career development plan.
Session 1: 9–11 a.m.:
- Strategizing: Using NIH Resources (Success Rates, NIH RePORTER, Sample grants)
- Writing a Successful Specific Aims
Session 2: 1–2:30 p.m.
- Writing the Major Components of a Career Development Grant: Candidate, Goals, Training Plan
- Mentor Components of the Proposal: Mentor Letters and Biosketch
- Writing the Significance and Innovation
- Writing the Science: Research Approach
Session 3: 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- The Grant Review Process
- The Reviewer Perspective: Discussion of Sample Grant
Question & Answer Session: 3:30–4 p.m.
To register for this workshop, please email Ms. Veronica Harker (veronica.harker@nih.gov), and she will provide the sign-up link.
Save the Date: Summer Poster Days, August 3–4
This year, the NIH Summer Poster Day will be hybrid! The in-person poster day is scheduled for August 3 and 4 at the Natcher Conference Center (Main Bethesda Campus, Building 45) on the main campus in Bethesda. The virtual poster day is scheduled for August 3.
Registration is now open. We highly encourage all summer interns to present their work during this event. For registration, all the interns need to submit is a title. The deadline for summer interns to submit poster titles for NIH Summer Poster Day 2023 is Friday, July 7, at 5:00 PM. Note that OITE will present a workshop entitled “Creating and Presenting a Dynamic Poster” on July 11.
You can read more about Summer Poster Day at 2023 NIH Summer Poster Day. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Yewon Cheon (cheony@mail.nih.gov) or Alexis Schirling (schirlingam@mail.nih.gov).
NIH UNITE: Ending Structural Racism (ESR) Activities
The NIH UNITE initiative was established to identify and address structural racism within the NIH-supported and the greater scientific community.
The ESR Intranet includes various resources like the Toolkit, Newsletter, FAQs, and other information.
UNITE Milestones and Progress and the Co-Chairs Corner (public ESR webpages) are other avenues to stay informed on UNITE efforts.