Rising Stars is a workshop designed for doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars who are interested in pursuing academic teaching and research careers in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and related interdisciplinary fields. Organized by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University, the workshop aims to expand inclusivity, access, and preparation for academic careers in MSE. The workshop will provide practical information and training about the required skill sets to become successful in academic job seeking and career development. CMU will host the Rising Stars workshop, the first seminar of its kind in MSE, on October 27-28, 2023.
Throughout the workshop, participants will learn academic career skills from expert mentors and engage in training with peers.
On the first day, we will conduct several practical sub-workshops for academic job finding. Faculty mentors will highlight critical information and skills to enhance job applications such as writing teaching, research, and diversity statements, preparing presentations, and controlling stress and nervousness, e.g., during challenging and critical chalk-talk questions. We will delineate the keys to success in interview and negotiation processes in single or joint positions.
On the second day, we will present practical information about how to start your academic career, write young investigator proposals, balance work and life, hire and mentor students, perform academic service, network, and develop high impact and reputation in specific and interdisciplinary fields.
Eligibility
Participants must be graduate students within 1 to 2 years of graduating with a Ph.D. at the time of the workshop, or they must have obtained a Ph.D. no earlier than 2020 and not currently hold a faculty position.
All applications must be received by August 28, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST)
Expenses
Travel reimbursement will be provided for up to $500. Accommodations will be provided for the duration of the program.
Application
The candidate should apply with the following information:
- Candidate name (first and last)
- Candidate email address
- Candidate institution/place of employment
- Current status of candidate (e.g. Grad student, Postdoc)
- Expected or actual conferral date of nominee's Ph.D. (e.g. May 2023)
- Name, Title and email address of reference (will be requested to provide a recommendation letter)
- Attach the candidate’s CV (named "LastnameFirstnameCV.pdf"; for all pdf files)
- Attach the candidate's personal statement describing their professional goals and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the MSE profession (maximum 1 page, pdf, named "LastnameFirstnamePS.pdf"; for all pdf files)
Please have all information prepared at time of submission, as form may not be able to save your information. You will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission.
The application period is now closed. We are in the process of collecting letters of recommendation and will be making decisions by mid-September.
Workshop chairs
Beth Dickey
Department Head and Teddy and Wilton Hawkins Distinguished Professor
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Bio
Mohadeseh Taheri-Mousavi
Assistant Professor
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Bio
Robert Macfarlane
Associate Professor
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Bio
Alberto Salleo
Department Head, Professor
Stanford University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Bio