Landing a faculty position: Anyi Mazo-Varas

In today’s edition of “Landing a faculty position”, Lin Loh from the Career Development subcommittee interviews Anyi Mazo-Vargas from Duke University.

On job applications

Lin: What is your career trajectory?

Anyi: I would describe my career trajectory as being indirect. I worked at different jobs between each degree; nonetheless, I remained in academia-adjacent jobs and did not find myself in an environment that was too unfamiliar. The research did differ in the different positions I took up, and it turned out to work in my favor.

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

Anyi: I applied to one job, which is an unusual case. I had family reasons that made my application very location-specific, so I was very intentional about where I applied. I also wanted the job to be associated with research and mentoring. 

My mentors were aware of my career aspirations and location limitations, and I received emails from them about this particular job posting when it became available. So talk with people about what you want and where you want to go. Also, it is important to be clear about your personal and professional priorities; that way, when an opportunity arises, you can quickly assess whether it aligns with your goals. 

I knew about the opportunity one month in advance and had less than two weeks to prepare application materials, so I was laser-focused. Nevertheless, I wasn’t completely unprepared when I learned about the job. I had participated in the NextGen Professors Program at Cornell and Building Future Faculty at NC State, and had previously explored a teaching option. Thanks to those programs, I had already worked on portions of my application essays, which was remarkably helpful. Also, I had the incredible support of my postdoctoral mentor, who on very short notice, gave me feedback on all the documents. 

Another important consideration is that I talked with my postdoc mentor about which aspects of the research I could bring with me from my postdoc lab. The sooner you discuss this, the better. 

Finally, if your mentors tell you that you are ready, just listen to their advice and go for it. 

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

Anyi: I was open to positions in both research-based and undergraduate-majority institutions but maybe subconsciously wanted to do research. I did try applying for a teaching position. It was a position that required me to teach four courses, while doing research as well. I did not end up getting the position, but it also helped me decide to apply to a more research-oriented position.

Lin: How did you tailor your application materials (CV, research statement, teaching statement, diversity statement) for different types of institutions?

Anyi: The application asked for a two-page research statement, a two-page teaching statement, a page for a diversity statement, and a cover letter. The cover letter is a key document as it will be the first thing the committee reads.

Also, do your homework and look at the hiring department. What are the subfields represented by the faculty? What are the strengths of the department? From there, consider how your own research can contribute to the department’s cohesion and growth. For this, it is helpful to network with people in the university by reaching out to either faculty, students, postdocs, or staff who have been in that department, who can offer insights into the department’s culture and priorities. Knowing about the campus and its surrounding community can also help. The information you gather will not only inform your application—for example, thinking about outreach initiatives or the type of facilities that could be helpful—but also strengthen your teaching materials and help you prepare for the interview process.

People reading your application are going to come from very different fields. Make your writing clear and simple, highlight the big ideas or central questions driving your work, and explain what you hope to achieve. Focus on describing the broader system or framework you’re working within, rather than detailing individual experiments. At the end of the day, what matters is that you communicate your vision and show how your future research team will contribute meaningfully to the field. 

At the time they asked for a diversity statement, I basically checked the boxes as a first-generation college graduate, a Latina, a mom, and someone who grew up in a low-income family. However, what matters most is showing the work, not just using generic language or artificial intelligence essays. Even if you haven’t taken part in activities to improve the climate and make the academic environment more fair, be honest and share how you’re interested in helping improve. These essays vary greatly from one institution to another, and if they ask for a different type of essay that doesn’t focus on research or teaching, and you’re unsure, just ask the hiring committee. Committees are usually open to providing clear guidance.

On interviews

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

Anyi: The format of the remote interview for me was a 20-minute Zoom, followed by an invitation to campus if successful. 

The specifics of the Zoom interview tend to vary a lot between institutions. In my case, four questions were posted to all applicants beforehand, so I had five minutes to answer each question. This was timed; they really want each applicant to have the same amount of time.

Just answer exactly what you are asked and explain clearly what you need to be successful at the institution (i.e., bench space, incubator, any special equipment). Also, take all the precautions, have some water, good lighting, a quiet place, and try to relax. 

Lin: What helped you prepare for your job talk and chalk talk?

Anyi: At my previous institutions, I attended various job talks, and those proved to be very useful. Additionally, practicing is key, and consider using Zoom to arrange practice talks with people from any previous institutions you have attended.

For the chalk talk, I had very clear instructions on what was required and what I should expect. I prepared two grant proposal ideas. Although I briefly introduced both projects, I was only able to go into detail on one of them during the presentation. To help the committee follow along, I prepared and distributed a one-page summary outlining both project ideas before the chalk talk began. This handout was a useful way to provide context and ensure that the second project was still visible, even if I didn’t have time to cover it fully.

Additional point: The chalk talk also helped me get to know the department, as it became a brainstorming session with the current faculty during the talk.

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

Anyi: Not particularly, but I would emphasize the importance of networking and reaching out to people in the department, such as a previous student or professor. Take time to review the courses listed on the department’s website to understand what’s currently offered, where the gaps are, and how your expertise might fill one of those gaps. Be ready to talk about your science with all types of people. Also, interviews are not just about answering questions—they’re also an opportunity for you to ask thoughtful questions. Learn what others in the department are working on, explore potential collaborations, and consider whether the environment offers a strong community to support your future mentees.

Currently, given the limited funding landscape many aspects within universities are changing. I think it is important to ask the department you’re applying to about what has been impacted, such as teaching responsibilities, grant declines, and reductions in support staff, etc. 

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

Anyi: I specialize in evolution, development, and butterflies, and am interested in understanding gene regulation, cell signals, and the genome. The faculty and committee understood what I work on since butterfly work has been established there, and I also proposed new techniques and tools. 

The moment I realized it was the right fit was when I connected with people after my talk, especially someone from another subfield, and that made it very exciting. Take time to learn how to communicate information effectively and build connections with the people interviewing you. Also, take time to speak with grad students and postdocs, learn about what they need and want, and what they think about their department. Grad students who feel safe enough are willing to share the worst parts. You should also be learning about how the university can be the right fit for you. There is no perfect place; the more you know, the more prepared you will be. 

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

Anyi: When asked about my personal life, it was mostly about my husband; they wanted to know if he was working in academia, but we did not have the two-body situation. They also wanted to know if I have kids, and in that case, they were looking to offer information about school districts and related topics. I was not asked any intrusive personal questions.

I talked about what is important to me. For example, I saw that there was an increased Latino population in North Carolina, so I talked about reaching out to Latinos in the university to establish a group for events like a monthly gathering. I find that having a sense of community was really important to me, and I valued having such a community.

On your transition to your current faculty role 

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

Anyi: My days are a mix of research, teaching, mentoring, and administrative tasks—lots of emailing and meetings. It involves administrative work such as finding the most cost-effective and efficient way to conduct an experiment. I meet with graduate students to touch base on the projects. I also advise undergraduate students, so I meet with them, answer their emails about courses, or review their thesis projects. There is also service work, although new PIs tend to do less; I have been involved in graduate student recruitment committees, reviewing applications, and writing letters of recommendation.

When it comes to teaching, I am teaching in a team, so materials are prepped together with a bit less load, and I also participate in improving courses. 

My lab currently consists of three grad students and two postdocs, with whom I meet weekly and we have regular lab meetings. 

On top of the work, I find it important to have some time to myself for brainstorming and to get deep in the science, in terms of where to go and how. I also realized that my current position is very different from being a postdoc, which involved collecting the data myself, as compared to someone else producing the data, so I have been navigating how to make sense of the data. 

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

Anyi: My new position allowed me to be more mindful about enjoying little successes. I remember the joy when I presented the first data of my lab at a recent conference.

I also found loneliness as a PI and learned to understand the need to give space to my lab members without the boss around. I would also say it is important to find a community with new PIs, as it helps to navigate the system that is new when starting a position. 

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

Anyi: Yes, they can reach me at anyi.mv@duke.edu.