Statement of research interests help

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Graduates entering the job market, particularly in academia, face challenges in crafting effective research statements for post-doctoral positions. It is crucial to tailor the research statement to align with the specific requirements of each position, even if the subfields differ from the dissertation work. Candidates should articulate how their past research relates to the prospective role while also outlining potential future research directions relevant to the position. Discussing current research is important, but recent graduates may focus on their dissertation work if they lack ongoing projects. Additionally, it's beneficial to express a vision for future research endeavors, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to the role. Overall, a well-crafted research statement should balance past experiences with future aspirations, tailored to the specific academic opportunity.
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I just graduated (PhD) and I have not gotten a job yet (maybe I'm screwed!). I've noticed that many of the academic positions require me to submit a statement of research interests. I did some searching online and I've found some advice for the statement structure, but I still have some questions.

To what extent should I modify the research statement to fit a particular position? When I look at various post-doc positions, they all have various subfields which don't exactly match what I have worked on in my dissertation. Everybody seems to be asking for something super specific. Am I supposed to say what I would do in that position? Or what I would do if I had totally free reign to work on whatever I want?

Also, the various statement guides say to talk about current research I'm doing. Well, I just finished my dissertation. Should I just talk about that? I don't really have anything lined up for the future.
 
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You should explain what you see yourself doing if you get the job.
 

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