5.3 Appealing Research Background
（研究能力をアピールする）
May, what questions do you expect to be asked in the interview?
I am now preparing a self-introduction as well as explanation about my Ph.D. project. I am developing my statements with reference to Module 1 of EA1.
Sounds great. Do you need to give a presentation about your research topic?
Yes. When I received an invitation to the job interview, I found out about that request. During my preparation for this presentation, I sometimes refreshed my knowledge of giving presentations and discussing my research in Modules 2, 3, 4, 5 of EA1 as well as Modules 1 and 2 of EA2.
Good to hear that. I hope your presentation will attract the search committee. Anyway, in many interviews held in Japan, you give a presentation in front of a search committee. However, in some countries, a candidate for an academic position is asked to give a presentation in front of not only faculty members but also other university members including graduate students. That kind of
presentation is called a “job talk.”
Wow! That must be very tough!
Yeah. In any case, you are supposed to prepare for any possible questions regarding your research in order to succeed in an interview.
5.4 FAQs About Research
（研究に関する質疑）
I did some research on the questions which have been frequently asked at job interviews.
The former three questions are likely to be asked at other occasions such as a discussion in a lab and an academic conference. However, the latter two are specific to a job interview.
My suggestion is that you consider how to match your expertise and experience to their requirements. For this purpose, it is necessary to understand the research environment of the university you’re applying at. So, collect information on the faculty members, their researches, facilities and so on. Then, elaborate on your idea of what contributions you can make through your research there. If the faculty members know you and your research, this may work.
I remember you stressed the importance of networking in academia in Module 6 of EA1.
Exactly! In this module, let’s learn useful expressions for matching your expertise and experience to the search committee’s requirements.
In addition to those points, I want to express my advantages as a professional scientist.
That’s a good point! Here are some phrases for appealing how you work well in a lab.
Hmm… Can you tell me how to use these phrases?
Sure! I’ll show you some useful sentences. You may make some changes in these sentences to suit your situation when you use them.
Thank you, Lisa. I will elaborate on my own statements and express my passion for the research at that university.