This week, Ling Loh from the Early Career Scientist Career Development Subcommittee interviewed Seungsoo Kim from University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine).

On job applications


Ling: What is your career trajectory? 

Seungsoo: I completed my undergraduate degree at Harvard University, where I studied Chemical and Physical Biology and worked largely on antibiotic resistance. For graduate school, I joined the Genome Sciences program at the University of Washington in Jay Shendure’s lab, focusing on sequencing technologies for studying 3D genome organization. 

In 2019, I moved to Stanford University for my postdoc, where I studied gene regulation in stem cell models, especially cranial neural crest cells. I’ve only been off the job market for about a year, so my experience is still fresh.

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

Seungsoo: About a year. I began assembling my materials in July 2023, submitted my first applications in September 2023, and accepted my offer in July 2024. Part of that time was spent navigating a two-body job search, which shaped the process.

Ling: Did you always aim for an R1 or R2-level university while applying?

Seungsoo: I applied exclusively to R1 institutions. The search process is unique, and I submitted about 90 applications. In retrospect, half of them were not a strong fit. 

The two-body search takes time, and it also takes time to understand where you genuinely fit. Once you’ve already applied to about 20 places, adding more applications doesn’t take that much additional work. 

I applied broadly—both geographically and scientifically—from biochemistry to stem cell biology and genetics. Departments themselves often don’t fully know what they’re looking for. A biochemistry department may decide they want a molecular biologist. You can’t over-interpret the job postings; they may shift mid-search or depend heavily on who applies.

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

Seungsoo: The main thing I adjusted was the cover letter, emphasizing the aspects of my training that aligned with what each department sought. My core research proposal didn’t change much. I modified research statements to highlight potential collaborations with people on that campus. I probably submitted around 50 applications that required teaching statements and sometimes mentoring statements.

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

Seungsoo: My department included both chemists and biologists, so I benefited from very different perspectives. The most helpful people were those who had gone through the process recently. 

My postdoc advisor helped a lot with chalk talks, and Stanford faculty helped me practice. Junior faculty were especially useful because the process has evolved over time. Stanford also offered a semester-long series of workshops: “Preparing for Faculty Careers.” 

Publicly available accounts, like Kara McKinley’s description of her experience on her website, were useful as well. Arjun Raj’s advice—that everyone’s journey is different—was something I kept in mind.

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

Seungsoo: Nature and Science job portals were the most comprehensive. It’s rare for a job not to appear there. 

Twitter and conferences were also helpful. Most deadlines in 2023 and 2024 were October 1 to November 1. Some early searches may be a result of a prior search failing. The peak interview period was November to May.

On interviews

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

Seungsoo: These interviews are short—sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes 45 minutes. Be prepared but not robotic. Don’t read off a screen; get straight to the point. 

You usually know the kinds of questions they’ll ask, and sometimes departments send them ahead of time. Interviews can be categorized into two broad categories; either primarily focusing on the science with follow-up questions and discussions, or questions that cover standard topics and largely recapitulate the written application. 

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

Seungsoo: These talks are more like PhD defenses than conference talks. Departments can span extremely broad fields, so your goal is for most people to understand and get them excited about your work. 

If you ask different people for feedback, you’ll receive conflicting advice. That’s why it’s especially useful to practice with people outside your immediate field—for example, other postdocs on the job market. 

Campus visits often include lunch with students and postdocs, along with one-on-one meetings with faculty. Every interaction is evaluated in some way.

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

Seungsoo: My visit made it clear that the department culture was supportive and friendly. Scientifically, there was overlap—stem cell biology, craniofacial biology, gene regulation. 

Different institutions would have required different paths, but the people you’ll interact with—potential collaborators, committee members for your trainees—play a big part. Applying broadly meant I had options, but I especially appreciated the alignment at UC Irvine.

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

Seungsoo: Occasionally, I was asked whether I had kids and what my partner does, to which I answered succinctly. It’s difficult to deflect without making things awkward. Much of the process is about intangibles—fit, rapport, “vibes.” 

The two-body problem usually comes up later. My approach was to disclose it after receiving an invitation to a second visit. Depending on the field and stage of career, that timing can differ. Fortunately, UC Irvine was experienced with two-body cases: the department chair checked whether other departments might be open to hiring my partner and they even arranged an interview for them during my second visit. Not all institutions can accommodate two tenure-track hires, but sometimes opportunities arise. 

On transition to current role

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

Seungsoo: Every day is different. Compared to being a grad student or postdoc, you wear many more hats. Recently, I’ve been interviewing candidates for a staff position, dealing with placing orders and bureaucratic processes, writing grants, and overseeing renovations. 

Our main lab space was recently renovated, and we needed renovations for a tissue-culture room. I learned that details matter—electrical outlets, room layout, HVAC systems, and compliance with the fire code.

,
View all posts by Editorial Staff »

Read more in