On the market after 1 year in new TT job

On the market after 1 year in new TT job

Clinical2013 09 Jul 2016 16:17

Hi all,

I started a new TT position last summer, coming in as an advanced assistant prof. I'm planning on applying for tenure in the fall of 2017, and I've been assured that it should be a "slam dunk." I would apply this fall, but I don't have much teaching experience (1 course, great student evaluations). I do have a lot of experience mentoring students in research, which counts towards teaching at my current school. I'm generally pretty happy, although there are some things about the university I don't love (and I don't see changing), and the cost of living is ridiculous.

This past week I saw an ad for an advanced assistant/associate prof specifically in my research area, at a great school, in a city I would be very happy in. Do you think if I applied to this school they would consider bringing me in at Associate? with tenure? Could I use a potential offer to push for tenure early at my current school? Even without much teaching experience? Both universities at R1.

Re: On the market after 1 year in new TT job

DocJ 10 Jul 2016 18:05

I've not heard of anyone jumping from an assistant professor to associate with a new position. It might be possible if the candidate is highly sought after, perhaps having a huge NSF/NIH/NIMH grant, and extraordinary publications, but again I've never seen this occur. The usual best scenario if moving between positions is that you keep exactly what you have with respect to tenure. That is, if you're on year 4 toward tenure, you get 4 years counted toward tenure with the new position. I've more often seen it not work this exact way, especially if moving up the academic ladders such as from an R2 or SLAC to R1. In such scenarios, the 4 years one may have counted for tenure might be negotiated as 2 years or 3 years toward tenure with the new place.

For an R1 university, teaching doesn't tend to count as heavily for tenure, either. Your grant success and publication records will be a stronger factor.

Re: On the market after 1 year in new TT job

TTlooking 07 Sep 2016 18:32

I'm in the same boat. Been in a new TT position for 1 year (just started my second year). I am at a small liberal arts school with a heavy teaching load. I've been able to publish, get students involved in research and have secured internal funding, however. I'm trying to apply for more research jobs. There is an R2 position that would be great, but they are looking for "evidence of potential to secure extramural funding." Do you think they would take my publications and internal funding as sufficient evidence? I would plan to apply for external grants, I just don't have the time now with teaching, advising, service and lack of resources.

Re: On the market after 1 year in new TT job

DocJ 08 Sep 2016 10:57

@ TTlooking - apply. There is little reason to not apply to any position you are remotely reasonably qualified for. The worst that happens is you get turned down. Not applying means you have no chance anyways. In your situation, it might be helpful to discuss a realistic plan for external grant applications/fundable research you're working on. Something clear, concise, and showing that you understand the grant process would be key if you include such information.