How to write a research statement
=== What is generally asked for in a faculty application?
* “Statement of Research Interests”
* “Research Plan”
* “Statement of Research Accomplishments”
=== What is the purpose of this statement?
* Convince the committee you will succeed
* Describe your short-term and long-term goals
* Remember, this is NOT the most important document of your application.
=== Who are your readers?
* Busy faculty who might read 100+ proposals during this search
* Most will NOT be specialists in your field
=== The ideal statement...
*“... builds on the promising experience of the applicant but [is] not a direct extension of their postdoctoral
work” and answers the question: ‘Why must this work be done?’”
*(From Jim Austin’s article, “Writing a Research Plan”)
“... a readable, compelling agenda that fits well with the needs, facilities and goals of the department.”
(From Peter Fiske’s article, “The truth behind teaching and research statements”)
==== Peter Fiske’s Rules:
* Know the school
* Know the department
* Know the position
==== Your statement should follow one of these 2 outlines: (use headings)
* Chronological
** Executive Summary (first paragraph)
** Graduate research (project by project)
** Postdoctoral research (project by project)
** Future research (project by project)
* Topical
** Executive Summary
** Separate “chapters” for different research interests
=== References
*[[http://career.ucsf.edu/pff/assets/ResearchStatementHandout.pdf|Developing a Winning Research Statement]]
*[[http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradstud/samples/researchstatement/guide.html|Career Services - Research statement]]
*[[http://www.postdocs.cornell.edu/research-statement|Cornell - Research statement]]