Tailor your research statement

Research statements are not one-size-fits-all, and of necessity will reflect the nature of your
research, your level of experience and expertise, and the type of institution to which you are
applying. When applying to top-tier research universities, your research statement ideally
works to demonstrate that you will bring unique and critical expertise, grant opportunities,
and potential for high productivity to the institution. Liberal arts colleges often expect a
balance between teaching and research, and therefore you might want to include examples
of how students have been or will be involved in your research program. Two-year colleges
rarely request a research statement as part of the application package, and in general it is a
good idea to respect their guidelines. If, however, you have research plans that you could
conduct in this setting with little funding that would involve students in a research
experience, you may want to volunteer an additional statement that showcases the
educational impact of your work and makes your application stand out (while making clear
that you understand the environment and mission of the institution).
Consider carefully the needs of the institution to which you are applying, and tailor your
research statement to meet those needs. Keep in mind the realities of facilities, teaching
loads, and other institutional support, especially if you are applying to institutions quite
different from your doctoral institution. Write a statement that proposes a plan of research
compatible with the opportunities available at the target school, or explain what
collaborations you expect to develop to gain access to needed facilities or equipment. You
may want to consider the current research programs of the faculty at the target institution,
and then explain how your proposed research program broadens, strengthens, and
complements the current program. If you are applying to several different types of job
opportunities, you may need several versions of your research statement.