Developing Application Materials

Academic search committees will likely review hundreds of applications for a single position. Your tasks when preparing your application materials are to communicate your key qualifications, provide evidence of your abilities as a researcher and educator, and demonstrate your potential as a future colleague and member of their team.

Academic research and teaching positions typically call for a Letter of Interest and curriculum vitae (CV) at minimum. Additional supporting documents, depending upon the position, might include:

  • Research Statement
  • Statement of Teaching Philosophy
  • Diversity Statement
  • Sample Syllabi
  • Course Evaluations
  • Dissertation Abstract or Publications or Writing Sample
  • Portfolio (primarily for MFA)
  • 3-5 Letters of Recommendation (may only require contact information with initial application) 

CV

The Career Center provides resources and tips for developing your CV. Additionally, our advisors have developed CV samples for your reference. We can review your CV through our asynchronous Resume Review+ service or during an appointment with an advisor. 

Letter of Interest

Your Letter of Interest is meant to give an overview of you as a candidate. The letter should discuss your specific interest in being faculty at that institution and in that department. Additionally, you should highlight your key accomplishments that make you qualified for the position. Depending on the position, you may want to tailor this letter more toward research or teaching. It is also recommended to include contributions to your field and service involvement. 

Tips for your Letter of Interest:

  • You want to represent yourself as an independent researcher and teacher. Provide enough detail for the reviewers to understand your contributions specifically and not simply a list of the coursework and tasks you have completed.
  • Note that you do not have to separate your dissertation and other research interests. In addition to what you have done already, share your plans for what you would accomplish in the position. 
  • Understand the mission of the institution for which you are applying. It is recommended to include statements in your letter to show your understanding and commitment to the mission. 
  • Keep the length of your letter to one or two pages. This is just one piece of your application packet.  

Research Statement

While the Career Center can review your Research Statement for flow and format, this document is best developed with input from your PI and research collaborators. 

Discuss the novelty of your work and why that institution would benefit from having you as faculty. Provide an overview of your research experience including the past, present, and future. Highlight methodology and specific accomplishments that show your potential as an independent researcher, including notable publications and successful grant proposals. Be sure to also include ongoing work and future plans to show your continued involvement. Include notable collaborations and ones you intend to pursue in the future.

Tips for your Research Statement:

  • You should include specific names of collaborators, including those you would like to pursue, and project details, such as included expertise, timeline and funding. 
  • It is recommended to outline your overall research aims, like you would in a grant proposal. 
  • Include specific plans and intended outcomes for the next 5-10 years. Be sure to also highlight anything that is already set in motion for that timeline, such as collaborations, long-term projects, and pending funding applications. 

Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Diversity Statement

While the Career Center advisors can provide feedback on your Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Diversity Statement, it is first recommended to use the resources provided by the Center for Educational Effectiveness. They have created a self-paced on-demand workshop on Developing a Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Writing a Diversity Statement, hosted on Canvas. Additionally, the Center for Educational Effectiveness holds recurrent workshops and also offers appointments for a consultation to receive help and feedback when developing your statements. 

The Career Center offers specialized 1-hour appointments for applying to faculty positions. Make an appointment with an advisor for review of your documents.