Landing a faculty position: Arun Peter

This week, Leila Abtahi interviewed Arun Peter from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

On job applications

Leila: Could you please introduce yourself and your current position at UBC?

Arun: I am Arun, an assistant professor at the Life Sciences Institute of the University of British Columbia. I started in this position in September of 2024. My lab studies the mechanisms that orchestrate lipid trafficking between organelles and the role of specific lipids in maintaining organelle homeostasis. 

Leila: Could you tell us about your career trajectory?

Arun: I’m originally from India, where I completed my undergraduate studies. I moved to Germany for my PhD at the University of Osnabrück and later to Switzerland for a postdoc at ETH Zurich.

Leila: Were you always interested in pursuing a career in academia?

Arun: I’ve always enjoyed doing research, but I was not initially sure about a career in academia. It was only midway through my postdoc that I started thinking seriously about my next steps. Until then, I was simply enjoying the excitement of discovery in the lab. As I reflected on what I wanted long-term, I realized that academia offered what I value most—the freedom and creativity to explore new ideas.  From there, becoming a PI felt like the natural next step, and that ultimately led me into academia.

Leila: How did the experiences you gained during your graduate and postdoc help you to get this position?

Arun: Both my PhD and postdoctoral training took place in outstanding research settings that shaped the way I think about science. I completed my PhD in Germany with Christian Ungermann, an exceptional biochemist. During those five years, I developed a deep fascination for intracellular trafficking and gained firsthand experience in dissecting mechanistic aspects of protein transport using tools of genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry.

For my postdoc, I moved to ETH Zurich and shifted my focus to lipid trafficking. Unlike proteins, lipids lack robust fluorescent tagging tools, which makes studying their movement between organelles particularly challenging. My supervisor, Benoit Kornmann, had an exciting idea to enzymatically mass-tag lipids and track their trafficking using mass spectrometry. Working on this concept led us to develop a new tool to follow inter-organelle lipid movement. This experience taught me how creativity and curiosity can drive the development of new methodological approaches when existing tools fall short. 

After my postdoc, I had the opportunity to be hosted briefly by two labs in Switzerland. With Matthias Peter at ETH Zurich, I learned valuable lessons about mentorship, the complexities of running a large research group, and the art of managing a diverse scientific program. With Stefano Vanni at the University of Fribourg, I understood the power of molecular dynamics simulations for studying lipid metabolism and how combining computational and experimental approaches can lead to unprecedented mechanistic insights.

Overall, I’ve been very fortunate to train in these exceptional environments and to engage in inspiring discussions with many scientists along the way. These experiences have played a foundational role in my scientific journey and ultimately helped me secure my current position. 

Leila: How long did it take for you to start preparing application materials to land in an academic faculty position?

Arun: Preparing the actual application took a couple of months, but ideas about the research direction I wanted to pursue in my future lab had been taking shape in the back of my mind long before that. Attending conferences was especially valuable—they helped me understand the broader landscape of the field and where my ideas could fit in. I also genuinely enjoyed going to seminars, even when they weren’t directly related to my area, and that curiosity was often beneficial; for example, I learned about methods I never would have considered, which I ultimately incorporated into my research plan.

Leila: So, if I want to summarize it, you basically got the idea  for your research plan by attending different seminars?

Arun:  Seminars were a contributing factor, but not the only one. Reading papers and reviews, discussions in lab meetings and journal clubs, conversations with scientists and colleagues—all of these played a role. And then there were the occasional sparks of insight that show up while hiking or floating in a lake. I think my mind gradually pulled together ideas from all these different sources to shape the vision for my future research.

Leila: How did you tailor your application materials for different types of institutions? How many institutions did you apply to?

Arun: My research statement, CV, and diversity statement were mostly the same across institutions. The main thing I adjusted was the cover letter, where I highlighted how my research program would be a good fit for each department and the potential avenues for collaboration. Overall, I applied to nearly 60 institutions across Europe, the U.S., and Canada. 

Leila: Did you consider the research activity of that department or university when you wanted to apply?

Arun:  Absolutely. I wanted to make sure my research would fit in and that there was potential for collaboration. For instance, I looked for cell biologists or biochemists whose work complemented mine. If a department’s focus was too far from my area—like clinically oriented research while I do basic cell biology—I probably wouldn’t apply. Fit was key.

Leila: Were there any resources like a website, workshop, or mentors that were especially helpful in preparing your material?

Arun: Once I had a solid draft of my application, I shared it with mentors and colleagues in the lab, as well as a newly joined assistant professor at ETH Zurich. They were all incredibly generous with their time, reading my research plan in depth and offering thoughtful, often critical feedback from their own perspectives. Incorporating their suggestions really transformed the application—it ended up far stronger and much more refined than my initial version.

Leila: Are there any particular organizations or listservs, or websites you would recommend for finding job openings?

Arun: I mostly went to Nature Jobs, Science Careers, and academicpositions.com 

On interviews

Leila: What advice would you give applicants regarding the first round, like the remote interviews?

Arun: It might sound a bit cliché, but preparing well in advance does make a difference. Sometimes the committee will share a set of questions beforehand; even if they don’t, there are usually five or six questions that show up in almost every first-round interview. They’re typically along the lines of:

• Tell us about your background.
• How do you place your research into the broader field?
• What are your future plans?
• How would you plan to structure and run your lab? 
• What are your strategies to acquire funding? 
• What’s your approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)?

And then there is the final question that always comes up: “Do you have any questions for us?” I think this is an important moment. Asking one or two thoughtful, well-considered questions—especially about the things that would matter if one joined the department—shows genuine interest and enthusiasm for the position. It also signals that one is actively imagining themselves there. 

Leila: Did you have any help for the job talk or chalk talk, and how did you practice or prepare yourself for that? 

Arun: I definitely didn’t prepare alone. I gave my job talk to a long list of people: my postdoctoral supervisor, everyone in the lab, a few professors at my institute, friends and colleagues from neighboring labs, and even some of my collaborators. Each of them offered constructive suggestions, often pointing out things I had completely missed. Getting input from different viewpoints was incredibly helpful; it pushed me to shape a talk that would make sense not just to specialists in my field but also to people coming from very different backgrounds. I’m grateful for the time and effort everyone invested.

On your transition to your current faculty role

Leila: What does a day in your current role look like?

Arun:  Right now, because I’m still very new, most of my days revolve around getting the lab up and running. That means less hands-on research and more logistics: talking to vendors, sorting out infrastructure needs, and working with my first student on practical things like where different pieces of equipment should go.

A big chunk of my time is spent on writing grants. Grant writing is incredibly time-consuming, and I often share drafts with more experienced faculty to get their feedback, which has been invaluable.

Alongside all of that, I’m serving on a few student thesis committees and attending their meetings, and I try to make it to institute seminars whenever I can. So, at this stage, my days are really about lab setup, securing funding, and getting integrated into the academic community.

Leila: Can you tell us more about your grant writing?

Arun:  Grant writing is a skill I’m still actively developing and learning to navigate. Over time, through my own experience and conversations with colleagues, I’ve realized that it’s not just about proposing the most exciting ideas I want to pursue. It’s equally about demonstrating feasibility—showing that the project is realistic, well-designed, and achievable—while still being novel and adding value to the field. I find myself at a stage where I’m half enjoying the process and half feeling the pressure that comes with it. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to start early—not just a few weeks before the deadline.  That being said, there is a rewarding moment when all the scattered ideas begin to connect, and the proposal starts to feel like a carefully crafted piece of art. That moment is deeply satisfying, even though I know it doesn’t guarantee funding.

Of course, the stress gets real when a proposal isn’t approved. When that happens, I try not to dwell too long on the disappointment and instead reconnect with the excitement of doing science. Then I take the feedback, reflect on it constructively, and use it to strengthen the next submission.

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

Arun: If I had to point to the real surprising aspect, it would be the sense of “loneliness.” Not emotional loneliness—more the sudden change in daily interactions. During a PhD or postdoc, you’re constantly surrounded by people: labmates, friends, spontaneous conversations, that everyday buzz. Then suddenly, as faculty, you’re in your own office, alone with your laptop. You still meet people in seminars or over lunch, but the rhythm of the day changes. I felt that quite strongly in the first few months. Over time, it eased as I met more people and built connections, but the quieter, more solitary nature of the job is still very real. So, if there’s one thing that surprised me or I didn’t anticipate, it’s that shift.

Leila: Do you miss the lab work?

Arun: Yeah, I definitely miss doing experiments. I would love to get back to the bench. I just hope I can find the time for it. Let’s see how it turns out. 

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

Arun: For me, it was less about specific skills and more about self-awareness and having a clear sense of what I wanted early on. When I was at that stage, I was completely absorbed in the science itself. My focus was always, “Can I answer this question? Can I make this discovery?” And when something worked, that alone felt satisfying. I never paused to think about the bigger picture: “Where is this taking me? Where do I want to be in five or 10 years?” So, if I had to highlight one key factor, it would be awareness. Once you know what you want, you naturally start taking steps toward it, and if you realize you need new skills along the way, you’ll go out and learn them.

Leila: In the process of running a new lab, what strategy do you use in hiring new people, and how do you find the right fit?

Arun: Since I’m still new to running a lab, I’m sure my approach will evolve. I think I’m looking more for certain values than just pure skill or talent. I try to assess whether the candidate aligns with those values.

First, I try to understand if the person is genuinely curious about science. What drives them? Why do they want to be in the lab? That sense of curiosity and internal motivation are important to me. Then, how will they be as a colleague? Are they considerate? Will they be helpful and collaborative? Do they enjoy being part of a team or are they very self-focused?

So right now, I’m looking for curiosity, drive, social awareness, and emotional intelligence, because these are foundational for building a healthy lab environment.

Leila: What would you do as a graduate or postdoc to help navigate this path?

Arun: The transition after a postdoc is challenging, but seeing it as just another phase makes it more manageable. I’d focus more on persistence–keeping at it even when things get tough – and on developing awareness of what I truly want early on. That clarity helps guide decisions and prepare for the next steps. I’d also focus on enjoying the process, accepting that experiments don’t always work, and seeing setbacks as a natural part of exploration and discovery. In short: more awareness, more persistence, more enjoyment, and less anxiety.

Leila: Thank you for sharing your insights with us. Would you be open to early career scientists reaching out to you for advice if, of course, you think you’re available?

Arun: Yes, absolutely. I’m happy to do that, and they can reach me at arun.johnpeter@ubc.ca