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The Research Statement

Some generalities

  • ​​​The bottom line: Departments are looking to hire candidates who tackle significant problems, who do so in interesting new ways, and whose work will make impact on their field and beyond.

  • Overall, you need to demonstrate that, given your training, you are uniquely positioned to accomplish the ambitious and innovative objectives you have set for yourself--Show this, don't say it!

  • Use subtitles, which will help the reader more effectively follow the structure of your statement.

  • In the Sciences, use a couple of illustrations (graphs, tables, pictures, etc.). An image is worth a thousand words.
     
  • Open big. For example, my work seeks to find a cure for Universe
    diabetes; I am developing a solution to global warming;
    I am challenging the myth of American exceptionalism
    --> Whatever it is, you need to show that your work will
    advance your field. Go big!
  • Finally, language: Avoid the following words:

"Study," as you're no longer a student--Use "investigate."
"Understand," as your understanding of a problem helps no one but you. Use the word in the collective sense, as in "increase our understanding" or better yet, use the word "elucidate" (meaning "bringing light to"), which helps humanity.
"Explore." Sounds aimless and not verifiable. Use "examine" or "investigate."

Search committee members are extraordinarily busy, so you must structure your statement strategically

  • Abstract: 10-15 lines at most. In a nutshell, what you work on and your plans for the next ten years in terms of the impact you hope to make on your field.

  • Ph.D work/background. What you worked on and what your work showed, demonstrated, elucidated, etc. Be very direct and to the point. Throw in anything the reader (who won’t be a specialist) will need to understand what you do.

  • Current postdoctoral research. Again, what you work on and what you hope to achieve. If needed, use a numbered list or bullet points.

  • Future Directions. I) What you hope to achieve over the next ten years; II) What you hope to achieve over the next 4-7 years; III) What you’ll tackle from the get-go(low-hanging fruits). Obviously, these are not sequential, but parallel. This section should be about 50-60% of the overall 3-5 page statement. 

    Once you're done, share your research statement with your faculty advisor and other colleagues for critical feedback.