Am I qualified and competitive for a group leader position?

In this video I offer some thoughts that help you self-reflect if you would be competitive for a group leader/ assistant professor position. And two additional points: seek outside input, and avoid falling for comparisons.
#assistantprofessor #academia #postdoc #academicsuccess
Matthias Rillig, professor of ecology at Freie Universität Berlin, talks about life in academia.
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[@mrillig]

Am I qualified for a position as group leader, assistant professor or similar? This is a frequently asked question, and an important one. Here I share some thoughts on this. Please let me know if I forgot something!

[@AktifSabir]

Thank you very much. Very important topic and tips. I started watching your videos as a PhD student and used your tips while looking for a position, getting prepared for an interview, at the beginning of my academic position, trying to extend my own network and to create my own research group. Just want to mention that the effort you are given to create this content means a lot to us.

[@mrillig]

Thank you so much; this is wonderful to hear! All the best for your work! 🙂

[@JulioThurler868]

Thank you for doing these videos, Dr. Rillig. Very good one!

[@mrillig]

thanks, glad you liked it!!

[@cywong7655]

Hello professor! I absolutely love your videos and they have been extremely helpful in my academic journey. After many years as a postdoc, I will finally be transitioning into a new faculty position this summer. Would you mind making a video on tips for choosing and hiring my first student(s)?

[@mrillig]

Thanks; that's great to hear! Congratulations on your job! I have some videos about the topic of starting a lab, but I will think about specifically for choosing students.

[@f.h.s.999]

Thank you so much for this video, Professor Rillig. I've been traveling the past month to gather advice from senior scholars in various fields of my discipline. Now with your advice, I think I might be ready to give it a try. If I succeed in getting a research group, I will come back to report to you. That would be another testimony of your KZbin mentorship and impact. Before that, I wish you a wonderful week. Take care, Felix

[@mrillig]

Thank very much! And all the best for you!

[@WMH-lv6wz]

Thanks for making this video

[@mrillig]

Thanks!!

[@jafferyousuf6885]

Amazing as always. Although not directly relevant to me at the moment but there is always a home take message from your talk. I liked at the end about temptation.looking onto others underestimating and overestimating the credentials of selected fellows...😊

[@mrillig]

Thanks very much!! Glad you like the videos. 😁

[@niconeuman]

Very nice video! I have a question if you don't mind. I am a mid career researcher in South America, and already fulfill all the criteria that you listed. Due to the situation in my country I'm applying to group leader positions in Europe. I got my PhD 10 years ago, and I believe I don't have a chance in countries like Germany, as most calls I see are for up to 4 years after PhD. Do you know if this is really true? Do you think there are opportunities for mid career researchers looking to relocate? Thank you very much in advance!

[@mrillig]

Thanks! So, I was 10 years after my PhD before I returned to Germany for an academic position (of course I am German, so it is a different situation). I don't think the time since PhD is the most important issue for all jobs. But this differs from country to country and from position to position, and between funding calls, as some wish to support more junior people.Good luck!

[@VikasRao516]

Hello Professor I just came across your channel and honestly I liked it very much. I was looking for pursuing my masters in Ecology from Germany but there's this problem, I guess I have 4 years bachelor's degree in Biotechnology with credits in Biochemistry, Genetics, Environment, Maths, Physics and cell biology,etc But after my college I worked for IT companies and have total experience of 5+years I want to pursue my Master's in ecology now considering what is happening around the world and how we are losing Biodiversity and wildlife every second. I have started learning Data analysis with R programming as well Please let me know if German universities will even consider my profile seriously or do I stand a chance? Thankyou in Advance ❤

[@mrillig]

Thanks. You will need to check admission requirements; they differ among programs. For ours, you for example need a certain number of course credits in the field of biodiversity, ecology, evolution.

[@abdul_travelvlog]

There is some problem with your video. I can show it if you want?

[@mrillig]

Works fine for me.