Job market for applicants from Europe

[Applicant from Europe]

I’m an American sociologist who has worked in Europe for the past 8 years. I did my PhD in sociology at a highly ranked European university and have continued there as a postdoc.
I’m on the American job market this year for assistant professor positions and have so far not received any invitations for interviews.
I know that the market is incredibly competitive but am wondering if having a European PhD and job experience is hurting me.
I have a strong publication list in American and international journals and have teaching experience and grants (from European funders).

Noticed in previous job placement threads that new hires are rarely if ever from non-American universities though.

[seensome]

Surely nobody knows whether having the EU Ph.D. and experiences would hurt you, but I've rarely seen faculty members with the same background as you in the U.S. institutions. Possibly as there are not many applicants, but also very curious as I heard if anyone leaves the U.S. market once, it's very hard to come back.

[Applicant from Europe]

That’s what I feared. Thanks for your response though.

[network]

The search committee I was on this year interviewed people at non-US universities. If you're publishing in journals we read, you'll get a look from us. But where I think being at a European university could hurt you is if you don't have much of a US network. Most people we interviewed weren't people any of us already knew, but those we know do have a leg up. Can you make a special effort to get involved in relevant ASA sections, travel to the US for smaller conferences or workshops, or something like that?

[Applicant from Europe]

@network you’re absolutely right, a big factor probably is a lack of a US network since my PhD. I did do a research stay during my doctoral studies with a very well-known sociologist in the US at an Ivy League, but my post-PhD years have been focused on my Europe network as I actually hadn’t planned on coming back to the States.
I was advised to foster an international network so this was my own shortsightedness. Sigh.

[Also European]

I did an MSc from a top UK uni and was strongly advised against continuing my PhD there because "America shops domestic" for assistant professors. I took that advice and found the program expectations were so different in the States I couldn't even get my MSc to transfer - had to start from scratch in my PhD program at an R1 university.

I think you're working against two major issues here: 1) some people just are not going to know your uni is top-ranked unless you say so (unless you're OxBridge). So, find the least obnoxious way possible to shout that in your materials. 2) There are genuine differences in the type and rigor of academic training in Europe v. America. My UK MSc and American MA are borderline incomparable, the latter was more rigorous even though the institution was, globally, lower-ranked. May not be the case for you, but it was for me. The postdoc could help you skirt concerns over program rigor, though. I'd try to find a way to nod to your PhD programs' academic rigor, mention it prepared you for life as a postdoctoral researcher and professor.

I think the advice to prioritize American conferences on the next one and to network is the way to go. If you're okay with stretching it out and don't get any hits this year, I would try for a second postdoc in the States. Stinks, I know, but might be the best pathway back to America.

[Applicant from Europe]

"America shops domestic".. ha. Makes sense.

Thanks for the very good advice. Completely agree with the differences in programs. My Ph.D program did not have comprehensive exams for example. But my advisor and the faculty consistently published in high ranking journals (ASJ, ASR, etc.) and the training was very good. Unfortunately have to convey that somehow in my application.

I remember my Ph.D advisor also saying he noticed that there are very few European professors in the R1s in the U.S. He himself was interested in moving and has a very impressive CV, but I think he also felt disadvantaged.

I am applying widely now and plan to approach some American researchers whom I met in the past for co-authorships. Maybe this would work for the next round.