How do you select a title for a job talk at an academic institution?

[Pathinterest95]

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If you don’t have much research to present on, what do you do? Select a random topic in the field? How well received is a lecture that is not based on research you have done?

 

[SunBakedTrash]

If you don’t have much research to present on, what do you do? Select a random topic in the field? How well received is a lecture that is not based on research you have done?

Ask whomever invited you for the interview what topics are fair game. Most of the time its an open-ended lecture and/or slide session to residents about something in your subspecialty. I’m a GU pathologist and I presented about the molecular findings in prostate cancer and then did a slide session on prostate biopsies for the residents with some interesting cases (small cell, bladder that looked like prostate, etc). I did have publications in the area of GU.

If it has to be related to a publication and not just an area of interest, just remember any bit of garbage can be published and called “research.” Surely you can produce something similar to the attached quickly and spin it to your benefit. The important thing is to be somewhat of an authority so that people in the audience won’t start disputing and correcting what you’re saying, which in academics they absolutely will. No one really cares what the topic is, they’re far more interested in getting their breakfast. They will care though if you have no idea what you’re talking about and are full of crap.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2374289523000192

 

[hurrycane]

You can talk about whatever you want. I’d say people love stuff that is more relevant to practice. Unless you are applying for a tenured research track, nobody cares what your presentation is about.
However you must be able to present well, and make sure that your answers to the questions make sense. As SunBakedTrash said above, many folks see through bull**** easily.

 

[mike-sheree]

Just review and update a common topic ( i am assuming your audience is residents). e.g. ovarian surface epithelial neoplasms or some such.