This week, Ling Loh of the Early Career Scientist Career Development Subcommittee interviewed Seungsoo Kim from the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine).
On job applications
Ling: What is your career trajectory?
Seungsoo: I completed my undergraduate degree at Harvard University, where I studied chemical and physical biology and worked mostly on antibiotic resistance. For graduate school, I joined the Genome Sciences Program at the University of Washington in Jay Shandor’s lab, focusing on sequencing technologies for the study of 3D genome organization.
In 2019, I moved to Stanford University for my postdoc, where I studied gene regulation in stem cell models, specifically cranial neural crest cells. I’ve only been out of the job market for a year, so my experience is still fresh.
Ling: How long did it take you to start preparing materials for your applications and finally get a faculty position?
Seungsoo: About a year. I started submitting my materials in July 2023, submitted my first applications in September 2023, and accepted my offer in July 2024. Part of that time was spent looking for two body jobs, which shaped the process.
Ling: Did you always aim for an R1 or R2 level university when applying?
Seungsoo: I applied exclusively for R1 institutes. The search process is unique, and I submitted about 90 applications. In the past, half of them weren’t a strong fit.
Finding a bi-body takes time, and it takes time to understand where you truly fit. Once you’ve already applied to about 20 places, adding more applications won’t be that much extra work.
I applied widely – from biochemistry to stem cell biology and genetics – both geographically and scientifically. Departments themselves often do not know what they are looking for. A biochemistry department may decide they want molecular biologists. You can’t over-interpret a job posting. They may or may not change mid-search depending on who applies.
Ling: How did you prepare your application materials (CV, research statement, teaching statement, diversity statement) for different types of institutions?
Seungsoo: The main thing I adjusted to was the cover letter, which emphasized aspects of my training that matched what each department was looking for. My basic research proposal did not change much. I edited the research statements to highlight potential collaborations with people on this campus. I probably submitted about 50 applications that required teaching statements and sometimes guidance statements.
Ling: Were there any resources (websites, workshops, mentors, etc.) that were particularly helpful in preparing your content?
Seungsoo: My department included both chemists and biologists, so I benefited from very different perspectives. Most helpful were those who had recently gone through the process.
My postdoc advisor helped a lot with chalk talks, and the Stanford faculty helped me practice. Junior faculty were particularly useful as the process evolved over time. Stanford also offered a semester-long series of workshops: “Preparing for Faculty Careers.”
Publicly available accounts, such as Kara McKinley’s description of her experience on her website, were also useful. Arjun Raj’s advice – that everyone’s journey is different – was something I kept in mind.
Ling: Are there any specific organizations, listings, or websites you would recommend for finding job opportunities?
Seungsoo: Nature and Science job portals were the most comprehensive. It is rare that a job does not appear there.
Twitter and conferences were also helpful. Most deadlines in 2023 and 2024 were from October 1 to November 1. Some initial searches may be the result of earlier searches failing. The peak interview period was November to May.
On the interviews
Ling: What advice would you give applicants about first-round (remote) interviews?
Seungsoo: These interviews are short – sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes 45 minutes. Be prepared but not a robot. Don’t read off screen; Get straight to the point.
You usually know what kind of questions they will ask, and sometimes departments send them out ahead of time. Interviews can be divided into two broad categories. Either focusing primarily on science with follow-up questions and discussions, or questions that cover standard topics and largely replicate the written application.
Ling: What helped you prepare for your job talk and chalk talk?
Seungsoo: These talks are more like a PhD defense than a conference talk. Departments can span very broad fields, so your goal is for most people to understand and be excited about your work.
If you ask different people for opinions, you will get conflicting advice. That’s why it’s especially useful to practice with people outside your immediate field—for example, other postdocs in the job market.
Campus visits often include lunch with students and postdocs as well as one-on-one meetings with faculty. Every interaction is evaluated in some way.
Ling: After going through this whole process, can you think of one or more things that made you a good fit at your university?
Seungsoo: My visit made it clear that the Department of Culture was supportive and friendly. Scientifically, there was overlap — stem cell biology, craniofacial biology, gene regulation.
Different institutions will require different paths, but the people you’ll interact with—potential colleagues, committee members for your trainees—play a big role. Applying broadly meant I had options, but I especially appreciated the alignment at UC Irvine.
Ling: Have you been asked about your personal life? If yes, how did you deal with this question?
Seungsoo: Occasionally, I’ve been asked if I have children and what my partner does, to which I’ve answered briefly. It’s hard to deviate without making things awkward. Much of the process is about intangibles — fit, compatibility, “vibes.”
The two-body problem usually comes later. My approach was to disclose it after receiving the invitation for the second visit. Depending on the field and career stage, this time may vary. Fortunately, UC Irvine had experience with two body cases: the department chair checked to see if other departments were open to hiring my colleague and also arranged an interview for him during my second visit. Not all institutions can hold two tenured positions, but sometimes the opportunity arises.
On transition to current role
Ling: What does a “day in your life” look like in your current role?
Seungsoo: Every day is different. Compared to being a grad student or a postdoc, you wear a lot more hats. Lately, I’ve been interviewing candidates for staff positions, dealing with ordering and bureaucratic processes, writing grants, and overseeing renovations.
Our main lab space was recently renovated, and we needed renovations for the tissue culture room. I learned that details matter—electrical outlets, room layout, HVAC systems, and fire code compliance.
