如果决心做科研,用哈佛faculty的标准来对照自己,知道一流的大学需要什么样的faculty,如果想做冠名教授,那标准可能就有更多的list。下面内容摘自美国工程院院士哈佛大学固体力学教授锁志刚的blog。 (1)导师,专业,大学这些学历的因素是首选的,但是似乎导师所在的课题组的作用更大些。 (2)除了这些外在的因素外,就是个人的科学特质了,研究内容的深度,是否有创新,是否前沿,似乎还有一个重要的衡量就是科研工作的完成是导师更多的功劳,还是自己功劳更多些。 (3)另外就是科研的兴趣和动机,是否能够融入新的科研团队. http://imechanica.org/node/3789#comment-9416 For an open search for assistant professors, when applications are in, members of the search committee will read the applications. The object is to select a few candidates to interview face to face. People seemed to be affected by the following factors (in no particular order): The advisor of the candidate . Does the candidate come from a dynamic group, led by an advisor with good reputation? The Department of the candidate . Does the Department have other excellent professors? Do they have any influence on the candidate? The University of the candidate . This may become less relevant if the previous two are very positive. The depth of the subject . Is the subject deep and lasting? The originality of the work . Has the candidate broken any new ground? The usefulness of the work . Has the candidate done anything useful? When a candidate is interviewed, a few other factors come into play (again in no particular order): The seminar . The interview between the candidate and individual members of the faculty . The meals . All along, people may look for answers to the following questions. Can the candiate motivate the work? Is the motivation novel, or does the candidate regurgitate some popular motivations (e.g., nano-xyz, multiscale simulations, energy, bio-xyz) thoughtlessly? Is the work new and useful? Can the candidate defend the conclusions of the work? Does the candidate answer questions well? Is the candidate really the resourceful person behind the work? Will the candidate likely identify new and significant areas of research? Will the candidate enjoy the job? Will the candidate complement the strength of the existing members of the faculty? Discouraged? No need. It is unrealistic to expect anyone todo something really new and useful and deep and lasting, all in a few years of graduate study. One hopes to find evidence for brilliance of mind, and capacity of work.