New Faculty Zoom with Kate Ostevik, PhD, Assistant Professor of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside

As part of a series of short, focused conversations with PhD and postdoc alumni who successfully navigated the academic job market during the pandemic, we'll feature Kate Ostevik, PhD, Assistant Professor of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside. The Ostevik Lab studies diversification in flowering plants (ie, how and why species arise, change, and go extinct) using field collections, greenhouse experiments, and population genomics analyses.

We'll ask each guest five questions about their experiences as new faculty members:

1. Could you tell us a bit about your institution and your responsibilities there as a new assistant professor?
2. How did you adapt to changes in the application and interview process and/or onboarding for your position due to the pandemic?
3. Given the impact of the pandemic, are there any specific experiences, credentials, or qualifications (eg, online teaching experience) that your department or institution now seeks in potential hires?
4. What advice would you offer current postdocs and grad students who will be applying for faculty positions soon?
5. What is the hiring outlook at your institution? (please note that the answer to this question may be "We don't know yet.")