Mentor’s Role
We will require commitments from the mentors at the host Institutions that they will follow MSRI mentoring guidelines:
Establishing a research plan:
- Designated weekly meeting
- A discussion at the beginning of the semester about the project(s) the PdF is pursuing and ideas about how to choose projects
- Introductions to senior researchers in the PdF’s area
- Advice on how to write a paper well (point to literature on this subject); give feedback on paper drafts
- Advice about publication (e.g. how quickly to publish a thesis, choosing and dealing with journals, etc.)
- NSF grant proposal writing; feedback on proposal drafts, from beginning to submission
Planning for professional development:
- Advice on writing a CV and a research and teaching statements
- Advice on preparing for interviews
- Advice on how to give a good talk
- Critique talks given by the PdF; also advise on giving talks at national meetings
- Discussion on how to address the various aspects of an academic career (proportion of research/teaching/service at various stage of one’s career; etc.)