The "Chalk Talk," used primarily in the life sciences, is basically a discussion of your research agenda, generally without help from slides or formal visual presentation. In the talk, you're expected to communicate your research goals, the specific aims of your planned experiments, expected outcomes, and the reasoning behind your approach, including possible alternatives, should "Plan A" fail.
The key point is that you are not seeking the approval of your graduate committee or your advisor. You are vying to be their colleague and as such, you need to show that you have opinions and ideas that are going to make you an important part of their department.
For a comprehensive overview of chalk talks, you should watch this video by Erik Snapp, Ph.D., Director of Student and Postdoctoral programs at the Janelia research campus part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
General Advice
- Ask the Chair of the Search Committee what is expected, as you want to make sure not to disappoint anybody (This request will also help you build your relationship with this person).
- Try to remain enthusiastic and engaging, rather than defensive.
- Spend a minimum of time on the past/present; focus on the future.
- If possible, write stuff on the board ahead of time rather than in real time.
- Keep it simple. Boil things down.
- Focus on communicating and connecting.
If you want to avoid feeling like a deer in the headlight, practice, practice, practice.
Some additional resources
- Demystifying the chalk talk
- Neither Swift nor Easy;
- The Chalk Talk (Dartmouth Provost Presentation)