Securing an Academic Position Following your PhD: Chat with SOGIE Caucus Scholars (Organized by the SRCD SOGIE Caucus)

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

Securing an academic position after (or while) finishing a doctorate is a daunting task for most scholars. Should one pursue postdoctoral positions, professor positions, or both? How does one find a postdoctoral research mentor? What federal, foundation, and government funding is available? When does one apply for such positions?

Scholars whose research focuses on LGBTQ+ populations or who identify as LGBTQ+ may have additional questions related to the post-PhD academic job search. Will the department/college/university support LGBTQ+ scholarship? Is the geographic area safe for LGBTQ+ scholars and their families? Will there be an academic community with whom to collaborate on such work?

The purpose of this session is for scholars from the SRCD SOGIE Caucus to support job-seeking scholars to successfully search for and obtain a postdoctoral academic position, whether as a postdoctoral research fellow, a tenure track professor, a teaching-track professor, or other positions in the academy. In a “speed-dating” format, scholars of varying experience levels—from postdoctoral fellows who recently obtained their PhDs to senior scholars who hire such fellows—will host several themed tables to hold one-on-one or small group discussions about obtaining postdoctoral or faculty positions. One table will focus on obtaining NIH-funded postdoctoral research fellowships, and will feature both an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellow as well as their mentor; another table will host two scholars with experience working as an international postdoctoral research fellow; and at a final table, a senior scholar with extensive experience both hiring postdoctoral fellows (international and US-based; fellowship-funded and supported through the professor’s funds) and obtaining tenure-track academic positions will be available to answer questions. Visitors will be welcome to visit any or all tables during the session. Table hosts will also be able to speak about navigating the job market as an LGBTQ+ scholar, however, all interested scholars are welcome to attend the session.

Sub Unit

• SRCD Caucus Sessions

Moderators

• Laura Baams, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (UG/RUG)

• Jessica Fish, University of Maryland - College Park

Panelists

• Meg Bishop, University of Maryland - College Park

• Sonya Xinyue Xiao, Northern Arizona Univeristy

• Stephen T Russell, University of Texas at Austin