Biophysical Newsletter - August 2014

11

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2014

AUGUST

Dear Molly Cule Professor Molly Cule is delighted to receive comments on her answers and (anonymized) questions at mollycule@biophysics.org , or visit her on the BPS Blog.

and will be able to help you identify potential advisors. 3) Be aware of pitfalls when considering postdoc- toral locations and mentors. You want to choose an environment with a track record of produc- tive postdoctoral researchers who have moved on towards solid industry positions or independent academic faculty appointments. You will have to ask about the funding, space, and time that the postdoctoral mentor can provide you, making sure that you will have the appropriate resources to accomplish your work. Ask about his/her expecta- tions of you, in terms of what you can contribute, what you will be eager to learn, and how long you should expect to be in his/her laboratory. Think about what you need and want from your post- doctoral experience, and what you can provide to make it a win-win for both you and the post- doctoral advisor. Additionally, you may want to consider the institution’s location. Make sure you will be able to access your favorite leisure activities in your time outside of the lab. This process can take some time, and if you find a good fit early it may also provide you the opportu- nity to prepare a postdoctoral fellowship applica- tion to support your postdoctoral studies before you even arrive. Often it is easiest to approach faculty who you have known over the years, people you have met through meetings, or distant col- leagues of your PhD advisor. These personal con- nections help lessen the trepidation of asking for a postdoc. If you are not familiar with the professor, first write an email to him/her, explaining why you want to be a part of his/her research group. Let the professor know that you will call to follow up within a few days to discuss the possibilities, which will let him/her know you are serious about the position, rather than just searching for options. If you have done your homework on the process, you will have well thought out goals and solid ideas about why this postdoc will be the best fit for both of you. This will go a long way to starting the dia- logue that allows you to find a great postdoctoral research opporunity.

How do I approach a professor about a postdoctoral position in his/her lab? First off, congratulations on your impending completion of graduate school. Finishing your PhD is no small feat. If you are interested in pursuing a postdoctoral experience, the ball lies in your court to approach a professor, which can be intimidating. However, with appropriate planning, a bit of soul searching, and doing your homework, approaching a professor about a postdoctoral op- portunity in his/her laboratory will be much easier. Prior to approaching a professor about a postdoc- toral research opportunity, there are several things to consider: 1) Perhaps the most important item you need to learn about yourself is: What do you want from a postdoc and where do you want to be when you finish your postdoc? Consider whether you want to pursue a faculty position at a major research university; a teaching-faculty appointment at a research university or undergraduate college; or an industry position in molecular biophysics, engi- neered biofuels, or big-data algorithms at a Na- tional Laboratory or trading firm on Wall Street. Think about which new skills and techniques you want to learn from your postdoctoral position and what you can build upon given your strengths. Take advantage of your postdoctoral experience, as it can be the most opportune and productive time to learn new techniques and begin to develop inde- pendent research directions. Before you approach a professor, you want to be confident in what you hope to gain from the experience and be convinced that you have explored the opportunities that will best meet your needs. 2) Now that you have clarified your individual reasons for pursuing a postdoctoral position and considered the challenges associated with it, you will have an opportunity to learn about and iden- tify potential postdoctoral mentors who can help you meet your goals. This might be the most fun part of the process. Your search can take many forms, but you definitely should consider discuss- ing your thoughts with your PhD advisor, as he/ she probably has a broader network of colleagues