I haven't written here in a while, but a friend recently asked if I had advice for someone aiming to secure a US professor position directly from abroad. Reflecting on this, I realized that throughout this blog, I've implicitly assumed candidates are already pursuing a PhD or postdoc within the US. So, let's specifically address candidates located abroad:
The primary consideration is that in a research-active role (as opposed to a purely teaching position), your main responsibility is to secure funding for your research—this generally means obtaining government grants to support your laboratory, including PhD students, equipment, supplies, and travel. Although funding from private investors or industry is valuable, government grants are seen as more stable over the long term since private or industry funding sources may eventually "dry up." Additionally, government grants traditionally provided more overhead (funds universities utilize for general expenses), though recent policy changes have somewhat reduced this. The key point is that when universities hire professors, they expect these individuals to secure funding for their research. Therefore, ideal candidates are at least familiar with the US grant funding processes—knowing agencies like NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, EPA, FDA, etc., understanding their grant mechanisms, having interacted with or established relationships with relevant Program Officers, or ideally already having active or soon-to-be-funded grants that can be transferred to their new positions.
I acknowledge that at an early career stage, few candidates possess extensive grant-writing experience. However, as a postdoc, you can—and definitely should—apply for available postdoctoral grants from these agencies and assist your supervisor in writing grant proposals. Any demonstrated experience in securing grants significantly strengthens your candidacy by reassuring potential employers of your ability to fund your research independently.
For international candidates, this challenge is even greater. Demonstrating similar grant-writing or funding experiences in your home country is helpful. Another factor to consider is that interviewing international candidates is significantly more expensive compared to domestic candidates. While an online interview might be the initial step, eventually the institution will want to bring you onsite, which involves covering the costs of international travel and waiting for visa approval. If you already possess a visa or can fund your own travel expenses, mentioning this in your cover letter or communication with the search committee can be advantageous.
Regarding work visas, universities do sponsor these for international hires. However, securing a visa from abroad introduces additional complexity and risks, including potential delays or visa denials by the US government, which can complicate the hiring process. Furthermore, your non-grant achievements, such as publications, typically carry less weight compared to grant-related accomplishments. Additionally, institutions often have numerous highly qualified domestic candidates available. Nonetheless, personal connections can be crucial in opening doors even from abroad, so proactively network and establish contacts at academic conferences.
To summarize, my best advice for someone outside the US is to initially pursue a transitional position, such as a postdoc or visiting scholar appointment within the US, rather than directly applying for a professor role. While this might seem particularly challenging for those already holding professor-equivalent positions in their home countries, resolving immigration logistics and acquiring valuable US-specific grant experience first is strategically sound. This approach simplifies the already complex academic job search process. A typical postdoc lasts around 2-3 years, which, in the grand scheme, is not an extensive commitment. Moreover, gaining such experience will significantly benefit your ability to succeed later on the tenure track—another substantial and complicated hurdle you will eventually face upon becoming a professor.
