What is the search committee charge, and why is it important?
A charge is the opening message to the search committee from the hiring authority (e.g., Department Chair, Division Head, or Dean).
An effective charge contains the following:
– Goals and timeline for the search
– Expectation that all search committee members will maintain strict confidentiality of all committee discussions throughout the process
– Expectations for the committee and its scope of work
Is the search committee in an advisory role to the hiring leader?
From whom should the committee hear to inform their search? For example, will there be listening sessions or discussions with the faculty, staff, postdocs, trainees, etc. of the hiring unit?
What are the expectations for outreach to create a broad pool of qualified and diverse applicants?
At what point will the search committee’s work conclude and transition to the hiring authority? Is the search committee expected to provide a ranked or unranked list of top applicants at that time?
– Relevant availability data for the field or subfield. National databases and academic/professional associations are a good starting point for finding availability data. Two resources to explore are AAMC and NSF databases:
AAMC Physician Workforce Data Dashboard
NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates (see “Detailed Field of Doctorate” tables)