Academic Job Search: Research Statements

Your research statement summarizes your past and current research, highlights your major academic accomplishments, and outlines your vision for future work. A strong research statement not only explains the significance and impact of your work but also demonstrates how your research agenda aligns with the strengths and priorities of the department that you are applying to. Note that not all disciplines and institutions require separate research statements. Formal research statements tend to be standard in STEM, social sciences, and biomedical fields, but may be less common (but still possible) in humanities disciplines.

Important: Below, we provide general guidance to get you started. Always verify expectations in each job posting, consult with your faculty mentoring team about discipline norms, and tailor your materials to the institution’s priorities.

Structure and Content

1. Introduction: Start your research statement by briefly introducing the central questions that drive your inquiry. Demonstrate what motivates your scholarly curiosity by describing your work’s importance both within your discipline and to a wider interdisciplinary or societal context.

2. Current and Past Research: Provide a clear summary of your graduate and/or postdoctoral research projects. Highlight your key findings and define why your work is innovative in terms of methodology or theoretical approaches. You want to clearly convey your strengths as an independent researcher who has exhibited leadership in your field. Use explicit examples to explain how you took initiative, developed theories or experiments, or establish and managed new collaborations. Even if you worked within a team or with an advisor, clarify where you independently shaped a project’s direction. Mention any publications, presentations, grants, or awards received as evidence of your ability to contribute to your field.

3. Future Research Agenda: Outline two or three concrete research projects you plan to initiate as a new faculty member. Clearly explain why each project is important, what questions it addresses, the methods you will use, and the impact you hope to make. Acknowledge where your proposed work builds directly on your prior research, but also demonstrate your intent to expand your horizons as an independent scholar by seeking out new collaborators or funding. Your goal is to highlight your vision and readiness for academic innovation and independence.

4. Fit with the Institution: Connect your future research interests to specific strengths or initiatives within the department or university. Identify faculty you are excited to collaborate with, resources or centers you would utilize, and ways your research fills a gap or complements ongoing priorities. Show that you have thought carefully about how you and your work would contribute to the academic community you would be joining.

Tips for Success

  • Write for a broader audience: Committees often include scholars outside your exact subfield. Overuse of jargon or detailed technical language can make the statement inaccessible. It’s important to explain your work clearly for a non-specialist audience without oversimplifying.
  • Be concise and specific: Statements that are too lengthy or unfocused will lose readers’ attention. Aim for a well-organized statement of 2- 4 pages (refer to your department for specific advice in your discipline). Limit generalities and instead employ specific results, examples, and outcomes.
  • Describe feasible research plans: Proposing projects that are unrealistic or lack clear objectives can hurt your credibility. Your future research agenda should be focused, specific, and build logically from existing work.
  • Tailor your statement: Do your research and so that your statement emphasizes your fit. Generic statements that don’t align with the department’s strengths, facilities, or priorities will fail to convince committees that you will be a good hire.
  • Proofread and seek feedback: Errors, unclear writing, or awkward phrasing can distract reviewers. Give yourself plenty of time to draft and revise. Ask faculty mentors and peers for feedback.
  • Avoid unsupported claims: Focus on clear, evidence-based descriptions of your contributions and ideas.

Online Resources