Academic Series: PREPP
The POSTDOC READINESS to ENTER the PROFESSORSHIP PROGRAM (PREPP) is a professional development initiative designed to equip postdoctoral scholars with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to successfully transition into faculty positions. Established and coordinated by the North Carolina State University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, co-sponsored by UNC-CH and other System Schools, PREPP aims to provide targeted guidance on critical aspects of the faculty job search and career progression. Through a series of interactive panel discussions featuring faculty and administrators from UNC system institutions, PREPP offers practical strategies for navigating the academic job market, securing faculty positions, and effectively managing early-career faculty responsibilities. By leveraging expertise from across the UNC system, the program ensures that postdocs receive diverse perspectives and actionable advice on preparing for the professoriate.
Current Series
Understanding the Faculty Job Market: Networking, Searching and Identifying
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:30
Are you preparing to apply for faculty positions and wondering how to stand out? Join an insightful panel discussion featuring assistant professors and career experts who will share their experiences and advice on the faculty job search process. Learn how to identify the right positions, craft strong applications, navigate search committees, and leverage networking to enhance your chances of success. Whether you’re just starting to explore faculty careers or actively applying, this session will provide essential strategies and insider tips to help you land your first faculty role.
Faculty Application Materials: An Overview
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:30
A panel of department heads and university administrators will share expert advice on crafting competitive faculty application materials. This session will cover essential components such as CVs, research statements, teaching philosophies, and cover letters, with insights into what hiring committees prioritize, how to tailor materials for different roles, and strategies for writing a compelling DEI statement. Panelists from UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University will also discuss how postdocs can effectively showcase teaching experience and strengthen their applications for the academic job market.
Summary: Faculty Application Materials | Advice from Faculty
Faculty Interview Preparation
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:30
This session will provide postdoctoral scholars with strategies for navigating faculty interviews. Panelists will share insights on common interview formats, key questions to expect, and how to effectively communicate research, teaching, and service experience. Attendees will gain practical tips on preparing job talks, engaging with search committees, and handling challenging interview scenarios to make a strong impression during the faculty hiring process.
Summary: Faculty Interview Preparation | Advice From Faculty
How to Establish Your Research Agenda
Date: Thursday April 24, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:30
This session will guide postdoctoral scholars in developing a clear and compelling research agenda before entering the faculty job market. Panelists will discuss how to articulate short- and long-term research goals, align projects with funding opportunities, and demonstrate potential for impact in their field. Attendees will gain insights on balancing independence with collaboration, positioning their work within institutional priorities, and effectively communicating their research vision during interviews.
Summary: How to Establish Your Research Agenda | Advice From Faculty
Previous Sessions in the PREPP Series
Preparing for the Job Talk
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Joel Ducoste, Associate Dean, College of Engineering, NC State University
- Dr. Carolyn Young, Department Head, Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University
- Dr. Manuel Kleiner, Associate Professor, Plant and Microbiology, NC State University
This session explored how postdocs can craft and deliver compelling job talks that effectively communicate their research and teaching vision. Panelists shared strategies for tailoring presentations to different institutions, distinguishing between job talks and chalk talks, and engaging broad academic audiences. Participants gained insights into structuring their narratives, handling challenging questions, and positioning themselves as strong candidates during the interview process. The discussion also addressed making job talks accessible to general audiences and how to navigate job talks for interdisciplinary positions.
How to Negotiate the Faculty Offer
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Carter Clinton, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, NC State University
- Dr. Frank Louws, Department Head, Horticultural Science, NC State University
- Dr. Shawn Gomez, Associate Chair, Biomedical Engineering, Joint Program with UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University
This session provided an in-depth look at the faculty offer negotiation process, covering key aspects such as salary, startup funds, research support, teaching load, and spousal accommodations. Panelists shared best practices for initiating negotiation conversations, identifying negotiable aspects of an offer, and advocating for long-term career success. Attendees gained insights into approaching these discussions with confidence and clarity while considering institutional expectations. The discussion also covered strategies for negotiating relocation assistance, defining teaching loads, and understanding tenure policies.
Expectations for New Assistant Professors
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Ashly Cabas Mijares, Assistant Professor, Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, NC State University
- Dr. Ayse Ercumen, Assistant Professor, Forestry & Environmental Resources, NC State University
- Dr. Fernanda Santos, Assistant Teaching Professor, Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences, NC State University
- Dr. Christa Baker, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, NC State University
- Dr. Mary Farwell, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Professor of Biology, East Carolina University
This session focused on the transition from postdoc to faculty member, offering firsthand perspectives on the realities of an early-career faculty position. Panelists discussed common challenges such as balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities, establishing an independent research agenda, and navigating departmental dynamics. Participants received practical advice on setting career goals, managing workload expectations, and accessing institutional support systems. The discussion also included insights on grant writing timelines, understanding tenure-track expectations, and strategies for work-life balance as a new faculty member.
Guidance for Managing a Lab
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Chrystal Starbird, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Biophysics, UNC School of Medicine
- Dr. Kate Saul, Interim Department Head, Forest Biomaterials, NC State University
- Dr. Mary Elting, Associate Professor, Physics, NC State University
- Dr. Trino Ascensio-Ibanez, Associate Teaching Professor, Biochemistry, NC State University
This session provided essential insights into establishing and leading a successful research lab. Panelists discussed best practices for recruiting and mentoring students, managing budgets and funding, setting clear expectations, and fostering a positive lab culture. Attendees learned how to navigate the complexities of lab management while ensuring productivity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. The discussion also covered strategies for balancing research and administrative responsibilities, acquiring essential lab equipment, and preparing for future growth and changes in research direction.
The Anatomy of a Grant
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Natalie Nelson, Assistant Professor and Engineer, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University
- Dr. Noah Strote, Associate Professor, Department of History, NC State University
- Dr. Adam Reitzel, Graduate Program Director and Professor of Biological Sciences, UNC-Charlotte
This session provided an in-depth discussion on grant writing strategies, covering essential topics such as identifying funding opportunities, structuring proposals, and crafting competitive applications. Panelists shared their experiences securing grants from organizations like NSF, NIH, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, offering insights into writing for different funding agencies, collaborating with co-PIs, and managing proposal resubmissions. Attendees gained practical advice on networking with grant officers, budgeting effectively, and tailoring their proposals for success in an increasingly competitive funding landscape.
After the Grant Submission: Managing Expectations
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Katharine Stewart, Former Senior Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, NC State University
- Dr. Heather Wright, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, College of Allied Health Science and College of Nursing, East Carolina University
- Dr. Nanette Nascone-Yoder, Professor, Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University
This session explored what happened after a grant submission, including navigating the peer review process, responding to reviewer feedback, and managing expectations for acceptance, rejection, or revision. Panelists shared their experiences handling grant rejections and resubmissions, strategizing revisions, and determining when and how to engage with funding agencies. Attendees gained insights into maintaining resilience, leveraging feedback for future submissions, and effectively preparing for the post-submission phase of the grant cycle.
Budgeting and Post-Award Management
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Participants:
- Dr. Misty Thomas, Associate Professor in Biology, Faculty Fellow, and Postdoc Coordinator, NC A&T State University
- Pat Hayes, Director, College of Engineering’s Post Award Unit, NC State University
- Dr. Jean Cook, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
This session focused on managing grant budgets and post-award responsibilities, covering best practices for financial planning, compliance, and reporting. Panelists discussed working with post-award offices, structuring budgets to account for indirect costs and personnel expenses, and balancing short- and long-term financial commitments. Attendees gained practical knowledge on navigating institutional grant policies, scheduling expenditures, and effectively managing the lifecycle of a funded project to ensure successful grant execution and reporting.