Faculty interview preparation is fundamentally different from industry hiring. Search committees aren't just evaluating your CV—they're assessing whether you can build an independent research program, inspire students, contribute to departmental culture, and sustain a career in academia over decades. Most preparation focuses on the job talk. Few candidate address the critical questions: How will you set research direction? What tenure-track trajectory are you charting? How does this institution support your vision?
Faculty Interview is purpose-built for this reality. Our AI coaches simulate realistic faculty interview scenarios—from research strategy deep-dives with department chairs to teaching philosophy discussions with faculty mentors. You'll practice articulating a distinctive research vision, discussing mentorship approaches, navigating tenure expectations, and demonstrating fit with institutional culture.
How it works
- Practice research strategy and career vision discussions modeled on real faculty interviews at MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley, and Oxford
- Get AI-powered feedback on your research trajectory, funding strategy, and academic identity
- Build frameworks for research independence, student mentorship, and long-term impact
- Track your progress across research design, teaching philosophy, institutional fit, and leadership presence
Why faculty interviews need dedicated prep
Faculty hiring is about fit and vision, not just credentials. Search committees probe deeply: Can you thrive in this department culture? Will you secure funding? How will you mentor the next generation? Will you grow into department and field leadership? These conversations require a different skill set than industry interviews—you're not solving a problem for a client, you're articulating why your research matters and why this institution is the right place to do it.
Our AI coaches push you to think like a PI—to articulate research vision in ways that connect to departmental strengths, institutional values, and broader scholarly communities. They help you navigate the implicit tenure expectations, discuss mentorship philosophy concretely, and project confidence about long-term academic success.
Built for aspiring faculty and postdocs
Whether you're a postdoc targeting your first faculty position, a junior faculty member preparing for a lateral move to a higher-ranked institution, or an industry researcher transitioning to academia, Faculty Interview helps you prepare for the conversations that matter. Our frameworks are built with input from faculty hiring committees, department chairs, and successful candidates from leading research universities.