Start-up Package
applicant (guest) 15 Nov 2009 23:17
How much detail should I be going into an interview (standard 2 day visit) regarding a start up package?
Start-up Package
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» Start-up Package
applicant (guest) 15 Nov 2009 23:17
During the interview you don't need a lot of detail, but you should have a rough sense of what you should ask for and what you can get. For example, if you need money for paying participants then make sure you can actually get this. Or if you'll need some specific equipment know how much it costs and make sure it is doable. But most of the start-up stuff comes into play once you already have an offer.
Does anyone know what the average start-up is for a SLAC? I received an offer with a very small start-up, $6000, but have no idea if this is within the normal range of start-ups for SLAC's. They also made is sound like it was non-negotiable, but I thought everything was negotiable.
I am at a SLAC. I think there's a fairly wide range of start up packages at SLACs and the amount provided is dependent on how expensive your research is and the extent to which they offer other support for scholarship. If they have a good internal grant program and your research is relatively cheap, then 6K may cover your basic needs (and you apply for internal funding to cover ongoing expenses). But if you feel like this amount wouldn't allow you to get your research program up and running, then I would take a data driven approachprovide them a list of what you need and the projected expenses. Be realistic, but reasonable, and they may give you more. You may want to clarify how long you have to use the fundstry to get them to give you as long as possible to use the funds so you have more flexibility. If you have to use it or lose it in the first year, that's less ideal but still useful to know.
I agree that it depends upon the institution and type of research that you do. Cognitive folks who need fMRI access will require greater research funds to get this research up and going. A social psychologist may only need money for subject payments and computer software.
That being said, I engaged in negotiations with two SLACs. I'm clinical, and both were able to to provide start-up packages much greater than what you listed above. However, I had an excel spreadsheet with all my costs laid out. Also, as another post pointed out, find out the timing of when you have to use the funds by. One place I had to expend them all in Year 1.
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