Faculty search benefits from down economy

by ZACH VEILLEUX

As the fifth year of the university’s open faculty search enters its final round, applicants are up by 60 percent compared to fall 2008, and members of the search committee say the pool is stronger and more diverse than it has been in the past.

A total of 582 people submitted applications through the university’s online application system this fall, more than any previous fall search. Although the process is designed as an open search, with candidates from all fields competing for positions, applicants are typically evaluated by faculty members who conduct research in the same area before coming before the full committee. The best candidates from each area are then discussed among — and voted on by — the committee as a whole. “No special consideration is given to the candidate’s field of study,” says Tom W. Muir, chair of the search committee. “We’re looking for the best scientists in any area.”

Of the applicants, 105 identified their primary field of study as chemical and structural biology; 66 are in immunology, virology and microbiology; 36 in medical sciences and human genetics; 185 in molecular, cell and developmental biology; 88 in neurosciences and behavior; 36 in organismal biology, evolution and ecology; and 66 in physical and mathematical biology. Twenty-four percent are women, slightly above the national average.

“Though applications are up, there doesn’t seem to be any dilution in the quality of the candidates,” says Dr. Muir. “As a result we’ve had a similar increase in the number of finalists and in the number of second interviews.”

The university is likely benefiting from reduced hiring at other institutions, Dr. Muir says, where economic difficulties have curtailed the ability to bring on new faculty members. In some cases, searches at other universities are conducted, but no new hires are ever made. Though that can be frustrating for applicants, the result is a larger and stronger pool under consideration at Rockefeller.

Fifteen candidates were invited to give lectures, scheduled from December through March. After soliciting feedback from faculty members, the committee has invited several back for second interviews. From the first group, of eight, four have been selected for second interviews; more may be selected after the committee meets to discuss the second group on March 18. From there, the final decision is made by the president in conjunction with the Board of Trustees’ committee on scientific affairs.

“My job is to make Paul’s job as hard as possible by presenting him with really exceptional scientists that he will have a hard time deciding among,” says Dr. Muir.

While there is no set number of positions to fill, the university hopes to successfully recruit a handful of new faculty members each year in order replace those who leave or retire — and maintain a relatively stable number of labs.

The next search begins accepting applications on April 1.