An old presentation I put together in 2007 for how I found my Assistant Professor position at the University of Minnesota and began my lab in 2005.

1. Working in a research university
Jeff Gralnick
Department of Microbiology
BioTechnology Institute
BMBB Retreat - 07

2. Who am I?
• Undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular
and Developmental Biology from University
of Colorado - Boulder.
– 4 years
• PhD in Bacteriology from University of
Wisconsin - Madison.
– 6 years
• Postdoc in Geobiology at Caltech.
– 2.5 years

3. Getting an Academic Job
#1
Start looking now.
JG’s
$0.02

4. Set up a job search
JG’s
$0.02

5. Hmmm…looks
interesting:

6. University of Minnesota
"Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment"
Two Faculty Positions in Biocatalysis, Bioenergy,
or Biotransformations
The University of Minnesota is seeking outstanding candidates for two full-time, tenure-track/tenured faculty
positions. Successful applicants will complement current strengths in biocatalysis, bioenergy, and
biotransformations. We are especially interested in candidates whose research interfaces with ongoing efforts
at the Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment, the Center for Microbial and Plant Genomics, The
BioTechnology Institute, Center for Metals in Biocatalysis, and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.
The Department of Microbiology and the BioTechnology Institute seek an outstanding tenure-track faculty
member investigating the role of microorganisms in biocatalysis,
biotransformation, or bioenergy. The expected appointment is at the Assistant Professor level, but
Associate Professors will also be considered. Candidates will hold their academic appointment in the
Department of Microbiology. For more information about microbiology and biotechnology please visit our web
sites at http://www.microbiology.med.umn.edu or http://www.bti.umn.edu/. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in
microbiology, biochemistry, or a related discipline, plus postdoctoral experience, and a strong publication
record.
The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and the BioTechnology Institute seek an
outstanding faculty member. Possible research areas include: bioenergy, biocatalysis, metabolic or microbial
engineering, microbial biochemistry, biomaterials, or systems biology. The expected appointment is as a
tenure-track assistant professor, but candidates at a higher level will be considered. For more information
about the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and the Biotechnology Institute
please visit our web sites at http://www.cbs.umn.edu/BMBB/ and http://www.bti.umn.edu/. Candidates must
have a Ph.D. degree and a strong publication record. Postdoctoral or equivalent experience is desired.
Review of applications will begin May 20, 2004 and continue until both positions are filled.
The Job Ad

7. University of Minnesota
"Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment"
Two Faculty Positions in Biocatalysis, Bioenergy,
or Biotransformations
The University of Minnesota is seeking outstanding candidates for two full-time, tenure-track/tenured faculty
positions. Successful applicants will complement current strengths in biocatalysis, bioenergy, and
biotransformations. We are especially interested in candidates whose research interfaces with ongoing efforts
at the Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment, the Center for Microbial and Plant Genomics, The
BioTechnology Institute, Center for Metals in Biocatalysis, and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.
The Department of Microbiology and the BioTechnology Institute seek an outstanding tenure-track faculty
member investigating the role of microorganisms in biocatalysis,
biotransformation, or bioenergy. The expected appointment is at the Assistant Professor level, but
Associate Professors will also be considered. Candidates will hold their academic appointment in the
Department of Microbiology. For more information about microbiology and biotechnology please visit our web
sites at http://www.microbiology.med.umn.edu or http://www.bti.umn.edu/. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in
microbiology, biochemistry, or a related discipline, plus postdoctoral experience, and a strong publication
record.
The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and the BioTechnology Institute seek an
outstanding faculty member. Possible research areas include: bioenergy, biocatalysis, metabolic or microbial
engineering, microbial biochemistry, biomaterials, or systems biology. The expected appointment is as a
tenure-track assistant professor, but candidates at a higher level will be considered. For more information
about the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and the Biotechnology Institute
please visit our web sites at http://www.cbs.umn.edu/BMBB/ and http://www.bti.umn.edu/. Candidates must
have a Ph.D. degree and a strong publication record. Postdoctoral or equivalent experience is desired.
Review of applications will begin May 20, 2004 and continue until both positions are filled.
The Job Ad
This job ad was written for me!

8. Getting an Academic Job
#1
Start looking now.
• Get to know what is out there!
• Get to know what institutes are looking for!
– You never know, they might be looking for you!
• Get excited by prospects!
– Excellent motivation
JG’s
$0.02

9. Getting an Academic Job
#2
Have a good story to tell. Giving a
good seminar is also important.
JG’s
$0.02

10. Getting an Academic Job
#3
Make sure they know you want
the job!
JG’s
$0.02

11. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v447/n7146/full/447791a.html
http://www.hhmi.org/resources/labmanagement/
Nature's guide for mentors
Resources to check out before you start
At the Helm
By Kathy Barker
To request a free
hard copy of Making
the Right Moves,
contact
labmgmt@hhmi.org.
When ordering,
please supply your
mailing address and
telephone number
and indicate how the
book will be used.

12. Now what have you gotten
yourself into?
• You now have 3 nearly full-time jobs!
– You must run a renowned research lab.
– You must write grants to run your renowned
research lab, and publish so your lab becomes
renowned.
– You must be a competent teacher.

13. Tenure
• Achieving tenure is the single most important
academic goal as an assistant professor.
– We are motivated by science. Tenure means we
can do this as long as we like!
• At Minnesota, a packet is submitted in the fall
of your 5th year.
– 2.5 more years for me! :o
• Can vary from institution to institution:
– UAB (Biochem), 9.5 years for packet submission

14. Tenure
• Microbiology:
– 1-3 papers published per year in peer-reviewed
journals.
• Yes, there is a list (not comprehensive) of journals
– More credit given for higher profile papers (e.g.
Science, Nature, PNAS), and highly cited
papers.
– Must acquire at least one externally funded grant
(e.g. NSF, NIH, private foundations).
– Must demonstrate service to the University.
– Must demonstrate ability to teach.
These requirements also are different from department
to department and from University to University

15. Setting up a Lab
• The big supply company reps will act like your
best friends in anticipation of a big ‘new lab’ order.
• (Fisher, VWR)
• Be aware of ‘new lab’ discounts available through
many distributors.
• Come up with a real list of what you really, really,
need and send that list to any rep you can find.
– This is likely not the exact list you used to negotiate
your startup package.
• Tell them you will order from whoever gives you
the best deal.
• This is the most precious money you will EVER
have because you can spend it on your lab
however you see fit.

16. Hiring People
• Resist the urge to hire anyone and everyone who
will listen to you.
• Lab composition is critical to a new lab, try to hire
hard working, creative and passionate people.
– Luck is an incredible driver here (as in landing the job
in the first place!).
• Who to hire?
– Postdoc: $35k salary ~ $42,000 total cost
– Graduate student: $25k salary ~ $40,000 total cost
(fringe, tuition)
• Training grad students is part of obtaining tenure!!

17. Getting advice
• Books, websites, other faculty, official faculty
mentors.
– The metrics to achieve tenure are not mystical. If
they are not spelled out in your offer letter or your
tenure code, the tenured faculty know. It is your
responsibility to know exactly what they are.
• Your friends who are also new assistant
professors are a GREAT help!
– UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, Michigan State,
UW-Madison, U. Iowa, U. Minnesota, UAB
• Time management
– Especially when writing grants, you must be able
to keep several hours to yourself.
– This is easily accomplished by showing up 2 hours
before anyone else (and hey - no traffic!).

18. Teaching
• Different institutions will put more or less
emphasis on this. For tenure in Microbiology
we must simply be adequate.
• Having a stellar teaching record
will NOT make up for a poor
publication record or inability to
secure a federal grant.
• Its fun and I like it. I’ll like it more after
tenure…

19. Writing Grants
• It is an illusion that in academia you
can work on whatever you want.
• The reality is you can work on whatever
you can get funding for.

20. Writing
Grants
• In 6 months, the lab was pretty
well set up.
• The next 6 months was spent
figuring out the University and
writing my first grant.
• The next 4 months was spent
preparing to teach - a HUGE
amount of work the first time.
• In the last 7 months I have
written and submitted (as PI or
Co-PI) 7 grants.
• Cech advocates being at the
bench, however…
"Starting a Research
Group in 1978: Are the
Lessons Still Relevant?"
2002 course keynote by HHMI
President and Nobel laureate
Thomas R. Cech. Advice on
obtaining a faculty position and
achieving tenure, leading a
research team, mentoring
students, balancing research
and teaching, and more.

21. Writing
Grants
• In 2007, the funding situation is
such that one must constantly
be writing to secure funding.
• The funding rate for my NSF
grant last year was ~ 7% (OPP).
– This section has traditionally been
~ 20%!
• Must be able to diversify!!
• This means your startup must
last longer.
• This means internal university
funds are crucial for developing
ideas.
Writing
Grants
Writing
Grants
Writing
Grants
Writing
Grants
Writing
Grants

22. All this $@!&%
But it is a blast!