Folks:

Here are some further comments, in response to an inquiry of a graduate student, on negotiating for the right start-up package for academic positions. The remarks are from Judith A. Hewitt, assistant professor, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and are reprinted with her permission.

Rick Reis

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NEGOTIATING UP-FRONT FOR THE RIGHT START-UP PACKAGE



I will offer some comments, but I'm afraid I don't fall into the category of somebody who did it right (but I didn't do it wrong either).

First, I just finished reading a book called "On the Market: Surviving the Academic Job Search" edited by Christina Boufis and Victoria C. Olsen (Available from Amazon.com, $10.36). It is mainly about recent (94-95) Ph.D.'s in the humanities not being able to find academic positions when there was supposed to be a predicted shortage of professors. While the climate in science may be different, it was still worth reading. For one thing, it made me realize that I don't have it so bad after all, even though there is plenty of room for improvement. It did have some suggestions about interviewing, but I think the big take home lesson is that in a competitive market, getting a job is more about being the "peg that fits the hole" rather than just being good and getting interviews.

The book is easy reading since it is a collection of essays by 30 people who have been there, some successful and some not. It also has a number of useful web sites listed at the back including:

http://psyche.uthct.edu/nes/nes.html (has a new page on interviewing)

http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/ysn/httpd/htdocs/ysnarchive/index.html

Given that I'm here and didn't negotiate tough up front, what works best for me is to know that there are other people in my situation. For instance, one woman here who is maybe 5-7 years ahead of me in the career progression (although she is an MD so it's a bit different) found out that she was paid less than male counterparts. Once she got a grant, albeit not a huge one, she had a leg to stand on and asked for more money and got it. It was very helpful to know that situations can be improved even once you're there, but the major message in the book is to get as good a deal as you can up front.

In my case, I didn't do the above as well as I could, although things are beginning to change for me now. I think that academia is in a state of flux, and that is what determines whether or not you are able to get what you want. Also, every place is going to have a different culture, and as prepared as you might be, you can't know everything before the interview or even before you start the job.

I don't know if this helps or not. Personally, I find it easier to play

the game now that I'm in it, rather than trying to get picked for a team, which is what that book is all about. A recent interview helped me to realize that even though the glass is half empty, it's also half full and likely to be the same in other places. *And*, there are plenty of people here who got fine packages up front, and are still anxious about their future. I'm sure other peoples' experiences can offer a different perspective. I don't want to sound depressing, but I do think it is important to be realistic.

Judith A. Hewitt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology