Thread by @Andrew_Akbashev

Advice for #PhD students who want to become postdocs and stay in #academia:
- How to choose a lab for a postdoc
- How to prepare for an interview
- What to be careful about

Thread: 🧵

[I was a happy postdoc at Stanford]

#AcademicTwitter #engineering #science

Initial steps:

1. Decide on how far you want to move away from your PhD topic. Keep in mind:
- If your #postdoc research is distant, you will need more time to gain expertise and do competitive work

- Diverse and strong(!) expertise can make you stand out during faculty interviews and help you establish unique research directions
- BUT: gaining a bit of expertise here and there will hardly give you any advantage in the end

So, I wouldn't change the topic unless I already have a strong profile in my area and the #postdoc position can last for > 1-2 years, or unless I simply want to try a different field.

2. Identify possible groups. Discuss them with the faculties in your department who work in that area.

3. Never trust others’ opinions blindly! You can (accidentally) skip a great group only because you’re mislead by a competitor (even your advisor).

E-mailing possible groups:

4. Prepare emails that describe you, your experience and your future interests. Being honest why you want to change research direction is always welcomed. Attached a CV.

5. Add a short paragraph describing what you see as a possible research direction for yourself and why it will be valuable for their lab. Don’t discuss details of the project you have in mind (only at interview).

6. Your email must be perfectly written. NO misspells, NO “Hi Prof”, NO “Sorry to disturb you but I am looking for a postdoc position”. It should be easy to read and NOT too long. Ask your advisor to check how it looks before sending out.

7. Your email should be tailored to each specific lab. It means that all lab-specific sentences must feel “personal” to each faculty from your list (as if you’ve already visited their lab before and know what you’re talking about).

8. Being too pushy and blunt about your interests can be dangerous if you don’t know the group. Some applicants don’t ask to be interviewed but rather ask for an opportunity to give an in-group seminar about their work. You will not be invited unless they have a position.

Also, I know cases when candidates paid for the visits themselves and eventually ended up with an offer. (It’s not supposed to be so, but this is how it works sometimes)

9. Ask your PhD advisor to send a recommendation letter directly to those faculties.

During and after interview:

10. Give a perfect talk. Make sure it can be understood by their group!

11. Discuss their interests – how can your expertise help them improve / expand?

12. Explain your interests – how do you think their lab can help your career?

13. Talk to the lab members one on one, discuss their hurdles and experience. Listen carefully!

14. Ask lab alumni (LinkedIn or by email) about their experience.

Keep in mind:
A good advisor will be perfectly fine with you exploring the place and examining your prospects.

Good luck!