Abstract: Being a faculty member at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) provides the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of students. Due to the unique and rewarding nature of these positions, they are highly sought after and difficult to get. This presentation will provide insights on the hiring process from the perspective of a veteran search committee member. The talk will cover all aspects of the interview process, from the contents of the initial application package to negotiating the final offer. The goal is to provide future applicants to PUI faculty positions with a better understanding of how their application will be evaluated and how to navigate the interview process.
Bio: Dr. Bryan Wakefield is currently the Director of Undergraduate Research in the Department of Chemistry at UW-Madison. Before joining the department, he was a member of the faculty at Coastal Carolina University from 2012-2024 where he rose to the rank of Full Professor. While there, he helped start and manage an NIH funded program that supported students who conducted biomedical research. In addition, he served on thirteen search committees for both tenure-track and nontenure-track positions, so he has reviewed too many application packets.