Landing a faculty position: Tobi Ogunribido

Landing a faculty position is one of the biggest milestones in a scientist’s career—but the path to get there isn’t always clear. That’s why members of the Early Career Scientist Career Development Subcommittee sat down with newly appointed faculty to ask them exactly how they did it: what worked, what didn’t, and what they wished they’d known sooner. Whether you’re just starting to think about the job search in academia or already sending out applications, in this series, you’ll find real stories and tangible guidance, including application materials, the interview process, negotiations, and daily life challenges in running a new lab, to name a few.

In our first blog of the series, Blessing Olabosoye interviewed Tobi Ogunribido from Rutgers University.

On job applications

Blessing: What is your career trajectory?

Tobi: I completed my undergraduate program in Animal Science and proceeded to obtain my master’s degree in Nutritional Biochemistry. Thereafter, I did work briefly in academia back in my home country, Nigeria, before coming to the United States to pursue my PhD in Nutritional Physiology at Purdue University. So, for me, it has been more like being around the corridor of academia and making a brief stint in industry as well.

Blessing: How long did it take you to start preparing materials for your applications and to eventually land a faculty position?

Tobi: I did not start preparing materials for applications to faculty positions until my final semester of graduate school. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to do that if you’re interested in an academia position. So typically, academic jobs would open up around the fall semester, say, September, October, and November. Prior to that time, applicants should have prepared their application packets, including CV, research statement, and teaching philosophy, and references. However, potential references should be informed ahead of time. Also many universities require a diversity statement. I would encourage applicants to start putting application materials together at least three to four months before submitting an application, though adjustments can still be made to the application dossiers to ensure alignment with each position. The time between application to landing a faculty position varies by institution; however, somewhere around three to six months is usual.

Blessing: Did you always aim for an R1 or R2 university while applying?

Tobi: Yes. It’s not always about R1 or R2. Of course, most academics want their career to be domiciled in an R1 institution, but at the same time, not everyone will get into an R1 institution right off the bat. However, it is sometimes great to start a career at an R2 institution and work your way up into an R1. This is possible if one can do very great work in terms of intellectual and research outputs, which can provide opportunities that can bring one into an R1 institution. In my case, I am in an R1 institution, but of course, I did apply to R2 institutions as well.

Blessing: How did you tailor your application materials for different types of institutions?

Tobi: Oh, I applied to quite a few colleges. In tailoring application materials, highlighting one’s strength as visibly as possible is very important—The search committee will see applicants through the lens of their application materials. I made changes based on the position: tenure or non-tenure track. The CV should be reflective of the nature of the position, which will determine how much emphasis is placed on research and publications, being a journal reviewer, etc. as opposed to teaching experiences and capacity. Also, you should highlight community service and volunteering. For the teaching statement, you should emphasize teaching activities, methodologies, and performances and should also include student evaluations of past teaching engagements. This is for applicants to present themselves as the best candidate for the position. For a research statement, a clear description of compelling and potential areas of research through demonstration of deep research thinking skills and research-oriented curiosity is key. Also, your research statement should align with the job description. For example, if the job description is saying they want someone who is going to conduct research in, say, nutraceutical science, you should not write a research statement that is geared towards microbiome or things of that nature. Although not all institutions require a diversity statement, those that do typically require a one-page document. The search committee wants to see how applicants can work in a multicultural setting and how they intend to run a lab with diversity of people, culture, race, ethnic background, and gender. So, they want to see how you’re going to work with them and what you’re going to do to enhance diversity in the institution. Similarly, some institutions may have a diversity strategic plan on their websites and applicants can use this information to write their statement. I did that in a couple of applications that I submitted.

Blessing: Are there any resources (websites, workshops, mentors, etc.) that were especially helpful in preparing your materials?

Tobi: One very good place to get resources would be your umbrella organization like the Genetics Society of America and American Society for Animal Science. If you go on their websites, there will be a career page where you can set up an account and get access to job postings (see GSA’s Job Board). Applicants can set up job alerts on LinkedIn and get notifications of new job postings. Another is HigherEd Jobs. 

On interviews

Blessing: What advice would you give applicants regarding the first-round (remote) interviews?

Tobi: Typically, the first round will be you and possibly the Chair of the search committee.They want to hear from you and to assess you based on what they have read in your application packet. The second stage, which many people call the first round of interviews, will typically be remote as well. In this stage, you would have, say, the department’s Chair as well as members of the search committee in attendance, and you would be asked to give a brief presentation about yourself and your research. Typically, they will ask you questions about your research area and/or teaching philosophy. The next round of interviews will be in-person. For some colleges or universities, the search committee may want to meet you virtually a second time before asking you to come to campus for an in-person interview.

Blessing: What helped you prepare for your job talk and chalk talk?: My professor friends, colleagues, and PhD advisor helped me. My PhD advisor was helpful and super instrumental with my preparation. I also explored University resources from my school at the time. My university had programs where they help intending faculty to prepare for their job talk, including discussions on how to dress, how to present oneself, and what to say and what not to say. 

Blessing: Were there any questions during your interviews that you wish you had prepared for differently?

Tobi: Not necessarily. I wouldn’t say there were questions that I would have prepared for differently. I just would say that a lot of questions were impromptu. But as academics, there will never be a question that you are fully prepared for. Just be yourself and express yourself as clearly and honestly as you can.

Blessing: Can you think of one or more things that made you the right fit at your university after going through this entire process?

Tobi: I would say maybe the quality of my presentation.Rehearse your presentations as many times as possible and exude confidence. Don’t panic, just be yourself. Be respectful and relate with everyone as colleagues. You want to ensure that you’re not giving off yourself as someone who is too proud or overconfident.

Blessing: Were you asked about your personal life? If yes, how did you tackle that question?

Tobi: The on-campus interview includes having lunch or dinner with a specific set of people, and those have been designed to get to know you beyond the normal routine of academia. They want to see you in a different setting, outside of the classroom or research. During that time, you may talk about your family, yourself, and activities that you love engaging in. So, there could be some personal things discussed, but you only really share information about yourself that you feel okay making public. They are not going to force you to say anything, so steer the conversation in a direction you’re comfortable with.

Blessing: In R1, were you asked to teach a class? Was that planned ahead or were you put on the spot?

Tobi: Yes, I did. I had a teaching responsibility when I came in. It will work differently for different job applicants and for different departments or schools. So typically, the teaching or research responsibility will be based on the needs of the department. Maybe, the person who was taking that class just resigned or passed or something happened, and they needed someone to quickly come in and take that class. Typically, though, you would have about a couple of months to prepare before you start teaching.

On your transition to your current faculty role

Blessing: What does a “day in your life” in your current role look like?

Tobi: I’ll typically get to work at around 8:00 a.m. as I am not teaching right now but just working on teaching materials, in preparation for teaching in the fall semester. These days, I’m advising students, writing some manuscripts, and reviewing articles for publication. Right now, I am not yet in my full professor mode. When the semester starts in full gear, then maybe I’ll be having classes, research, and doing all these different things at different times.

Blessing: What has been the most surprising thing about starting your faculty position?

Tobi: So, one thing is, if you have done a PhD in the United States, and during your PhD, if you have been exposed to teaching, there are some things that won’t be surprising in a faculty position. But right now, I feel like more people discuss research ideas than I expected among grad students. So, there’s that aspect of discussing ideas, methodologies, and things of this nature.

Blessing: What skills do you wish you had developed earlier that would have made the transition smoother?

Tobi: I will say maybe to have sharpened or developed my writing skills more—academic writing, including research and grant writing. Of course, I do have those skills, but I’m just saying generally that these are skills intending faculty members should strive to have. It’s both an art and a science to have those skills. Another important one is networking. Networking skills involve speaking with potential collaborators, funders, and industry links. This is very important for intending faculty because those are the people that will be funding your research. So as much as possible you want to have that skill to be able to convince them to put in some dollars into your research work.

Blessing: How long did it take you to hire your lab members, and what is your strategy to hire? How do you find the right fit?

Tobi: Right now, I have had a couple of students reach out to me. Of course, every faculty gets students constantly reaching out that they want to be part of their labs or research. But currently, I don’t have research students. When it comes to strategy to hire, it will be based on their CV, past research activities, what they have done, and what they are doing currently. If it aligns with current programs in the lab, then those are going to be some things to look at to find the right fit. Of course, there will also be room for learning. I mean, I don’t expect all students to know everything before coming. So, there’s also going to be that aspect of me actively teaching them routine techniques and what not.

Blessing: Any words of advice? Would you be open to early career scientists reaching out to you for advice, and if so, how can they reach out to you?

Tobi: I would say generally to intending faculty and early career scientists, that they should get the utmost skills and knowledge from their PhD or post-doctoral training to strategically position themselves for faculty roles, and never give up. There are times when you see some job listing and you feel like you have all it takes to land the job, and then you just don’t hear anything back. Don’t give up. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Also, always reach out to people who have gone ahead of you to get information and advice. My email is the best way to reach out to me: to234@rutgers.edu.