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.
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), Stanford University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), 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. In its third year, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will host the Rising Stars workshop on September 8-9, 2025.
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, 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.
Participants must be graduate students within 18 months of graduating with a Ph.D. at the time of the workshop, or they must have obtained a Ph.D. and not currently hold a faculty position.
Travel reimbursement will be provided for up to $500. Accommodations will be provided for the duration of the program.
The application period is now bring accepted. Selected candidates will be contacted in late July.
Please have the following information prepared at the time of submission, as the form may not be able to save your information:
Beth Dickey
Department Head and Teddy and Wilton Hawkins Distinguished Professor
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Mohadeseh Taheri-Mousavi
Assistant Professor
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Robert Macfarlane
Associate Professor
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Alberto Salleo
Department Head, Professor
Stanford University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Cecilia Leal
Professor, Racheff Faculty Scholar
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
