A cynic's guide to getting a faculty position

I gave an academic caeer talk yesterday at the University of Alberta, and on request from the students I am putting the talk online. These are my personal thoughts on how the job selection process works for independent research positions in universities or research institutes, based largely on my experience, the experience of my trainees going through the process and my observations of behind-the-scenes job committee meetings. I am sure that there is enormous variation in experiences, and that systems work differently in different places: hearing the perspective of many people is more valuable than just hearing the perspective on one.

I'd also just note that this is not an endorsement of the system as it exists. There are aspects of the system that I dislike and actively work to change. But I still think it is valuable for job seekers to understand the system, warts and all, rather than believing in an aspiration system that has yet to materalise. I often hear from trainees that they career training is largely directly to non-academic careers, and they rarely hear how the academic pathway works. So, with a little too much honesty, and an expectation of landing in hot water, here is my attempt to open a conversation: