Research program/plans for academic positions

[SL Forsburg]

Linden Higgins wrote:

> >A common format is about 4-5 pages, with one page of intro/summary,
> >a page+ of what's happened till now, and the rest on where are you
> >going.
> 
> I've always been told to keep it to two pages max:  and the second page is
> optional.  My format is one page of introduction and overview of past,
> current and future research, in fairly general terms.  The second page is a
> more detailed description of the three most important experiments I've
> started or would like to start next, and their relation to past and current
> research.  The short format has been encouraged by friends serving on
> search committees that get 200+ applications (ecology & evolution &
> behavior).
> 

I think it depends on field and expectation.  I didnt mean to imply that
there are hard-and-fast rules.  I've sat on several searches and they
varied in page number.  The best thing is, say what you need to say 
so that the evaluator will have a sense of where you've been and
where you are going.  They will thank you if it is short,
 comprehensible,  and crystal clear!

Incidentally, the ones I've seen are usually 1.5 or double spacing,
which increases page number without overwhelming the reader.  They are
much easier to read than single spaced--so I guess we should clarify
what a page really means here!

The best thing you can do if writing one is have as many people as
possible read it--your friends in the lab next door, friendly faculty
on your floor The  most typical mistake when first writing them is
 putting in way too much detail.  As in writing grants, there is no 
replacemnent for the experience of people who've been through it all 
before. 

susan


-- 
>->->->->->->-><-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-
Susan L Forsburg PhD
MBVL, The Salk Institute
susan_forsburg at qm.salk.edu
http://flosun.salk.edu/~forsburg