Responding to a job posting for research assistant

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of applying for a temporary research assistant position at a university physics department. Participants explore the expectations for application materials, including references and statements of interest, as well as strategies to enhance the applicant's chances of securing the position.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the type of references needed, questioning whether they should be academic references attesting to physics abilities or personal/work references.
  • Another participant suggests that it is common for departments to have pre-selected candidates for research assistant positions, advising to verify the legitimacy of the job posting with department staff.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of obtaining a recommendation from a professor closely aligned with the applicant's research interests, noting that references should focus on the applicant's knowledge and research capabilities.
  • There is a suggestion that the applicant should avoid mentioning their gap in physics-related work experience, as it may not be beneficial to the application.
  • Participants discuss the potential advantage of meeting with a professor whose research aligns with the applicant's interests to improve their chances.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and type of references needed, as well as the relevance of explaining the applicant's gap in experience. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to these aspects of the application.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about what departments typically expect from applicants, and the discussion does not resolve the uncertainty surrounding the appropriateness of different types of references.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals seeking research assistant positions in academic settings, particularly those with a background in physics or related fields, may find this discussion relevant.

jonc
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I got a bachelor's degree in physics about five years ago. I since haven't been able to find a job related to physics nearby, and family circumstances have prevented me from relocating or going to graduate school yet. I recently saw a job posting at a nearby state university's physics department (colorado state university) for getting into their open pool for temporary research assistants--they only require a bachelor's degree. They ask for a resume, statement of research experience and interest and contact information for three references. They say you can send the materials to the department or directly to a faculty member.

I have looked into graduate school in the past so I know a little about statements of research interest and the type of references needed to apply for graduate school, but I'm wondering if the expectations for a position like this would be similar. My only research experience is what I did in my lab classes for my bachelor's and I'm wondering how to best present myself. Specific questions I have:

1) For the references, are they likely to want people who can attest to my abilities in physics (as when one is applying to graduate school) or would they just want personal and/or work references? The latter may be easier for me to find.

2) Is it worth mentioning briefly somewhere why I haven't done anything with physics after getting my degree, or is it even an issue for a position like this?

3) What else could I do to improve my chances? Go to the university and meet a professor whose research I'm interested in?

Thanks for any advice.
 
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The first thing you need to do is to contact someone in the department and see if it is a "real" job posting. It's very common in these situations for a department to already know who they are going to hire and the posting of the job offer is merely a legal requirement.

Most universities will reserve research assistant positions to their graduate students, so you need to contact someone in the department to see if it is a "real" job opening. The person that would probably have the most information is the department secretary and if they don't know anything about this then, it's probably not a real job opening.
 
Okay, I called and it is a real posting. Any other advice, especially on what they'd expect for references?
 
Try to get a recommendation from a professor that is as close to your "target" as possible. For these sorts of reference, they mainly care about your knowledge and ability to do research.

As far as why you haven't done anything in physics. It's best not to start out being apologetic. I'd not mention it at all. Also if you can get the attention of a professor whose research you are interested in, that's also really useful.
 

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