How to Write a Research Statement for Academic Job Applications
After watching this video, you’ll be able to:
- Define what a research statement is.
- Identify the purpose of the research statement.
- Write an effective research statement using appropriate structure.
- Apply strategies to promote your research to fit the type of institution that’s hiring.
Brian J. Rybarczyk, PhD is the Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Academic & Professional Development at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Use the Take Notes widget at the bottom right of the page to answer these questions and complete the exercises for this unit.
Questions to Consider
- What is a research statement?
- Why do institutions request a research statement?
- What is the structure of the research statement?
- How can you tailor your statement to different institutions?
Exercises
- Begin drafting your research statement by answering the following questions: What is your research to date? Why is your research important? Where is your research going in the future?
- Use the problem space diagram provided in the video to organize your research statement draft.
- If you’re inclined to create a chronological research statement, try revising it to produce a thematic narrative that demonstrates how you arrived at your new research and how you plan to enact that research.
