2019-2020 Postdoc Interview Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
El_Dopa said:
I heard back from them yesterday, but I did reach out to Monica and check in. Don't be afraid to reach out to her - she seems pretty nice.
Click to expand...
I emailed her to check in before the holidays but I never heard back. Maybe I should try again. Thanks for letting me know !
 
So many of my sites are inviting me to do "an initial informal phone interview" that comes before the real interview...anyone else experiencing this?
 
bigdreamer3 said:
So many of my sites are inviting me to do "an initial informal phone interview" that comes before the real interview...anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...

I've had a couple of these...the sense that I've gotten was that they wanted to verify that my goals for postdoc matched their offerings before asking me to commit to shelling out money for a plane ticket. Very informal and seemed respectful of my time and financial resources, which I *really* appreciate.

I got MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) too. Here are the details:
Track: Clinical Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine
12/27/2018
Personal email
Asked to rank 3 of 4 options: Jan 14, Jan 18, Jan 25, Jan 28 (full day interview)
Coping: so. much. dissertation. writing.
 
erf1121 said:
I've had a couple of these...the sense that I've gotten was that they wanted to verify that my goals for postdoc matched their offerings before asking me to commit to shelling out money for a plane ticket. Very informal and seemed respectful of my time and financial resources, which I *really* appreciate.
Click to expand...

Oh for sure! I just wasn't sure if it was a really common thing or if the sites were somehow unsure of me as an applicant.
 
Also, when it comes to sample reports...would most people choose to submit an older excellent report or a more recent above average report?
 
bigdreamer3 said:
Also, when it comes to sample reports...would most people choose to submit an older excellent report or a more recent above average report?
Click to expand...

I've been wondering about this too! For me, I've chosen based on how much overlap the report style has with the program I'm sending it to. Some of my older, more comprehensive reports were super long and for some sites I've wanted to show them that I can write shorter, more targeted reports. I'm not sure it matters that much, though.
 
bigdreamer3 said:
So many of my sites are inviting me to do "an initial informal phone interview" that comes before the real interview...anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...


I had that experience with Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix
 
University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center- Neuropsychology Track
Interview dates: 1/2, 1/8, 1/9
Notified by personalized e-mail on 12/30

Happy New Year everyone!
 
Has anyone found any stats on what proportion of applicants receive an invitation to interview? I'm struggling to determine whether some sites invite almost everyone or whether they really narrow the list down substantially before the interview...
 
Last edited:
copingcat200 said:
Has anyone found any stats on what proportion of applicants receive an invitation to interview? I'm struggling to determine whether some sites invite almost everyone or whether they really narrow the list down substantially before the interview...
Click to expand...

This varies so much, that any one point of view will be meaningless. Some sites will bring a ratio of 10:1 to interview, some probably closer to 4:1. I've seen a huge range here, and it also changes within site every year depending on a variety of factors.
 
Report from a friend: Denver VA Health track invites went out via email - either yesterday or today. Same dates as PTSD track.

How does everyone feel about phone/Skype interviews versus in-person? Does it matter at this point?
 
copingcat200 said:
Has anyone found any stats on what proportion of applicants receive an invitation to interview? I'm struggling to determine whether some sites invite almost everyone or whether they really narrow the list down substantially before the interview...
Click to expand...

It really varies so much on variables like specialty track, competitiveness of the site, etc. Personally, we interview 4-5 people each year in person for our track and expect to get our 1st or 2nd pick. I have been at other sites where that number was closer to 10-12. One site in particular was a **** show and would not likely recruit the top applicants, so we interviewed more people. At those places we tended to do phone calls as well, given the higher numbers of interview offers.
 
HappyPhDHopeful said:
Report from a friend: Denver VA Health track invites went out via email - either yesterday or today. Same dates as PTSD track.

How does everyone feel about phone/Skype interviews versus in-person? Does it matter at this point?
Click to expand...
I made two entries that contain all of the information for this site because I was given two names for it. I see no problem with this because having multiple entries can help people find their site if it goes by different names. But I want to take this time to let everyone know that I have no idea what your sites are "officially" named so I just put exactly what I'm told. If you see any errors in the list, or think I should add an entry for an alternate site name, please let me know!
 
The University of Chicago
Clinical Health Psychology
Rejection via email
1/2/19
 
MissLyss said:
The University of Chicago
Clinical Health Psychology
Rejection via email
1/2/19
Click to expand...

Oh god, now I’m waiting for it...
But I don’t even know if my third letter writer got his letter in (damn research advisor and his unresponsiveness).
 
espressobean11 said:
Oh god, now I’m waiting for it...
But I don’t even know if my third letter writer got his letter in (damn research advisor and his unresponsiveness).
Click to expand...
Maybe they’ll wait for last letter!
 
B
HappyPhDHopeful said:
Report from a friend: Denver VA Health track invites went out via email - either yesterday or today. Same dates as PTSD track.

How does everyone feel about phone/Skype interviews versus in-person? Does it matter at this point?
Click to expand...
Balls
 
Me, waiting to hear back from sites whose deadlines haven't even passed yet
giphy.gif
 
Any other neuro lovers stressing about rejections yet? I'm 2 applications in with two rejections 🙁 When should the onset of sheer panic occur??
 
University of Michigan-VA Ann Arbor Postdoctoral Consortium
VAAAHS-Adult
Invitation
1/4/19
Personal Email
Pick dates between 1/22-2/8
DOGS

Waukesha Family Medicine Program (Wisconsin)
Clinical Psychology
Invitation
1/4/19
Personal Email
Pick any date
DOGS
 
kje3258 said:
How soon is too soon to email to ask a status of an application? I’ve seen on here someone post about a program but not the same track which made my stress go through the roof!
Click to expand...

I’d say it’s still too early. I’m in the same boat but it seems that separate tracks work on their own schedules even from the same site! Looking at the dates from last year when most invites when out, it seems mid January is most typical! So it’s still quite early to have heard from most programs.
 
NeuroLober01 said:
Finally!!!

Yale School of Medicine and HSC
Neuro
Invite!!!! Pick your own date (not at INS)
Staying sane? CHAMPAGNE!!
Click to expand...

What is HSC? Also, I didn’t know Yale had a Neuro postdoc unless you’re referring to an affiliated site?
 
TiptoeConqueror said:
What is HSC? Also, I didn’t know Yale had a Neuro postdoc unless you’re referring to an affiliated site?
Click to expand...
HSC stands for Hospital for Special Care. The neuro postdoc is split between the two sites- 3 days at Connecticut Mental Health Center/Yale and 2 days at Hospital for Special Care. This is a fairly new postdoc collaboration. I believe Yale had their own neuro postdoc previously, but it looks like that hasn't been around for the past few years.
 
-Barrow Neurological Institute
-General neuro
-Invite
-Notified 1/4
-Personal email from program manager
-2/19 at INS

-University of Kentucky College of Medicine
-Neuro
-Invite
-1/4
-Personal email from training director
-A preliminary, 20 minute phone interview and then a face-to-face interview at INS

-Mayo Clinic Rochester
-Adult neuro
-Wait-listed ("You were not selected for our first round of interviews. However, we have continued interest in your application.")
-12/21
-Personal email from training director

-San Francisco VA Medical Center
-TBI/Polytrauma Rehabilitation Research
-Invite
-12/17
-Personal email from training director
-1/15
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Postdoc Interview Invitation Thread 2025-2026/2027
Replies
8
Views
5K
BendDontBreak
B
P
Life After Postdoc
Replies
13
Views
1K
summerbabe
summerbabe
B
Unlicensed Job Ideas Before Postdoc Begins
Replies
29
Views
3K
R. Matey
R. Matey
S
2025-2027 APPCN Neuro Postdoc Match
Replies
10
Views
3K
psychpsycho
P
S
Postdoc - Supervising from another state?
Replies
6
Views
891
msc545
M
Top