Host an RCSA Fellow

RCSA Fellows are postdoctoral scholars who hold a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or astronomy, or allied fields. Fellows will be prepared for their job search by being paired with host institutions for mock interviews providing structured feedback before they begin their job search, and by creating a welcoming, safe space for sharing of experiences as they build a supportive, cross-disciplinary professional network they can rely on throughout and beyond the multi-year cycle of the program.

RCSA will partner with the host institution to provide guidelines and resources to generate structured feedback for RCSA Fellows following the mock interview. As a result, the Nominator will meet with an RCSA program director to prepare for this process and will commit time beyond one day for the mock interview. RCSA will reimburse the host institution with $3,000 for costs to organize the mock interview logistics (arrange airfare, hotel, meals, etc.) and to contribute to the host institution’s departmental-based funds supporting a seminar series.

Host Institution Application

A brief application to serve as a host institution is submitted by a Cottrell Scholar, Holland Awardee, or Scialog Fellow or Facilitator from the physical sciences, and must be received through RCSA’s PRISM portal. The RCSA Fellows – Host Institution Volunteer application in PRISM includes:

• A letter from the Host Nominator explicitly agreeing to serve as the lead in organizing and overseeing the mock interview visit, and engage in dialogue on ways to support and strengthen faculty recruitment and retention.
• A letter from the department chair indicating willingness to serve as a host department and to make available to the Fellow a full day interview, typically in the September – November time frame, which could include a meeting with a dean or equivalent administrator as appropriate to the institution.