Writing of Research Statements

Writing of Research Statements

  • Beginn: 07.11.2016
  • Ende: 08.11.2016
  • Vortragende(r): Dr. Sabine Preusse
  • RaumZeit e.K. Coaching Beratung Training
  • Ort: Seewiesen
  • Raum: Seminar Room House 4
  • Gastgeber: IMPRS for Organismal Biology
  • Kontakt: mhieber@orn.mpg.de
Writing of Research Statements
Research Statements are an important part of an application for a position in academia. They pin down the researcher’s background and current results and place future plans into the context of the organisation to which the application is addressed. The challenge in writing a research statement is to be clear and concise and to show the contribution to the mission of the target organisation. This workshop addresses the essential parts of a research statement: abstract, background, current research, research agenda (3 to 5 years) and relevance. Topics and exercises vary according to the participants’ preferences.
Successful writing of research statements and grant proposals is a fundamental basis to fund a career in research. This 2-day workshop addresses the essential parts of a research statement (Abstract, Background, Current Research, Research Agenda and Relevance), and gives an overview on funding opportunities and the core aspects of winning grants. First we will understand the function of a research statement by looking into the different parts of an application to a research position such as letter of motivation, CV, research statement and references. Participants are welcome to bring an advertisement of a vacancy to work on. We will start focusing on the current research results of the students and then formulate their research vision in the larger context of their field of research. The students will then formulate their own research agenda. Looking deeper into the expertise which is needed to actually implement the research agenda we will investigate into the topic of skills and competencies. Which skills and competencies do they want to develop with the research agenda? How can they provide evidence from their background with respect to the core set of skills and competencies, which are needed to successfully implement the research agenda? By collecting the essential bits and pieces from their previous activities the students will formulate a targeted description of Background and Previous Work. Finally, the work on the Research Statement will be concluded by pinning down the relevance of the proposed research work. Thus the students will understand the core idea and challenges of a winning research statement and will take home a research statement, which they can use as a starting point when applying for a postdoc position.

Content and Required skills and knowledge:

1 Applying for a position in research
  • Elements of a complete application
  • Function of a letter of motivation, CV, research statement, references, list of publications
  • Intercultural pit-falls
2 Abstract
  • Formulating a fundamental research question or research vision
  • Outlining the relevance of the research vision with respect to the field of research and the state-of-the-art
  • The funnel of motivation for motivating research agenda
  • Formulating of an abstract
3 Research Agenda
  • Core elements of a research agenda
  • Brainstorming as part of the creative process
  • Developing a broad work plan for 3 to 5 years
  • Formulating a research agenda section
4 Background
  • Identifying skills and competencies to be developed in the research agenda
  • Identifying skills and competencies needed to show that one is the right person to implement the research agenda
  • Stock-taking and providing evidence of skills and competencies as part of the training in research and other activities
  • Formulating a targeted background section outlining one’s own expertise
5 Current research
  • Identifying a common thread in the research activities in support of the research vision
  • Formulating the current research section
6 Relevance
  • Identifying the contribution of the research agenda to the mission of the host institution
  • Formulating the relevance section
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