Particle Physics Rumor Mill

current

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:50:24 +0000

@@ -305,16 +305,18 @@
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td valign="top">
      <b>Short List:</b><br />
-     <a href="https://inspirehep.net/authors/1069015">Alexander Karlberg</a> <br />
+     <a href="https://inspirehep.net/authors/1069015">Alexander Karlberg</a>  <br />
      <a href="https://inspirehep.net/authors/1813565">Elena Pinetti</a><br />
+     <a href="https://inspirehep.net/authors/1274923">Yu-Dai Tsai</a><br />
      <br />
    </td>
    <td valign="top"><b>Offered To:</b><br />
      <br />
      <br />
      <br />
+      <br />
    </td>
  </tr>

currentuk

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 08:31:19 +0000

@@ -51,8 +51,9 @@
  <tr><td valign="top"><b>Short List:</b><br />
  <a href="http://inspirehep.net/search?p=find+ea+Manki.Kim.1">Manki Kim</a><br />
  ...<br /><br />
  </td><td valign="top"><b>Offered To:</b><br />
+ more senior person
  <br /><br /><br />
  </td></tr>

davis2022

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 16:58:42 +0000

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
   
- ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, FACULTY OPEN SEARCH, 2022‐23
+ **ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, FACULTY OPEN SEARCH, 2022‐23**
  
  The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a full‐time, tenure-track faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor. This is an open search, all areas of physics and astronomy will be considered. Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent in physics, astronomy or a related field. A successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate the potential to develop a world‐class research program, achieve excellence in teaching students at all levels, and possess a strong commitment to providing service to the department, university and professional communities. 
  
  We are especially interested in astrophysics, biophysics, complexity, high energy, fields/strings/gravity, nuclear,  and quantum information, but candidates from all fields of physics and astronomy are welcome to apply. To be assured full consideration, submit your application by November 18, 2022. Applications received after the initial deadline will be considered until the search is concluded. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter; curriculum vitae; statement of research plans; statement of teaching interests; statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion; authorization to release information form; one publication you feel best exemplifies your achievements and potential, along with an explanation as to why; and letters of recommendation.

feedback

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 19:25:50 +0000

@@ -1 +1,14 @@
+ ====== Negative Feedback ======
  
+ Though the vast majority of feedback to the rumor mill is positive, there are some dissenting opinions. In the interests of free speech such comments will be aired here.
+ 
+ 
+ "It's evil!"
+ 
+ "...your Rumor Mill serves primarily to discourage people who may be seriously considered but haven't made your list."
+ 
+ "Aren't you afraid of being sued?"
+ 
+ "... the Matt Drudge of physics."
+ 
+ ...

gossip_mongering

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:03:27 +0000

@@ -1,15 +1,7 @@
  ====== Gossip Mongering ======
  
- <form>
- Action mail jterning@gmail.com
- Thanks "Thanks, your rumor has been recorded."
- 
- Fieldset 
- email "e-mail address:"
- Fieldset
- textarea "rumor:"
- textbox "Write 'agree' here if you are not a spam-bot" /^agree$/
- submit "Submit"
- </form>
- 
+ <html>
+ Send rumors to:<br/>
+  <a href="mailto:&#x74;&#x65;&#x72;&#x6e;&#x69;&#x6e;&#x67;&#x40;&#x70;&#x68;&#x79;&#x73;&#x69;&#x63;&#x73;&#x2e;&#x75;&#x63;&#x64;&#x61;&#x76;&#x69;&#x73;&#x2e;&#x65;&#x64;&#x75;" class="mail JSnocheck" title="&#x74;&#x65;&#x72;&#x6e;&#x69;&#x6e;&#x67;&#x40;&#x70;&#x68;&#x79;&#x73;&#x69;&#x63;&#x73;&#x2e;&#x75;&#x63;&#x64;&#x61;&#x76;&#x69;&#x73;&#x2e;&#x65;&#x64;&#x75;">&#x74;&#x65;&#x72;&#x6e;&#x69;&#x6e;&#x67;&#x40;&#x70;&#x68;&#x79;&#x73;&#x69;&#x63;&#x73;&#x2e;&#x75;&#x63;&#x64;&#x61;&#x76;&#x69;&#x73;&#x2e;&#x65;&#x64;&#x75;</a> 
  
+ </html>

history

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:33:15 +0000

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
  The initial reaction from post-docs was generally one of delight, while the reaction of the tenured crowd leaned to the more hostile. Senior scientists tended to have reactions based on the tired refrain of "that's not how it was when I was young," followed by comparisons to less-than-reputable journalists and comments like "Aren't you afraid of being sued?" (Such hostility kept me from openly associating my name with the project until I got my own permanent position.) Now seven years later, rather than being part of a rebellious counter-culture, the rumor mill has become part of the establishment. Physics departments often send job advertisements directly to the rumor mill, and some even send in their short lists in order to avoid any misunderstandings. Hiring practices have changed as well, although whether this has anything to do with the rumor mill is impossible to say. Faddishness remains unchecked, but the "old-boys-network" seems to play a smaller role, and some of the "old-boys" are now women.
  
  In North America the job prospects for physicists are looking up, since the long postponed retirements are actually happening and undergraduate enrollments are up, so the retirees are being replaced. In the UK there was a mini hiring boom leading up to the Research Assessment Exercise in the spring 2001; what will happen next is unclear. It usually takes more than being highly qualified to land a position, so prospective faculty members should probably take a cue from their friends in the business world. In addition to polishing up job talks they should also be polishing up interpersonal skills. Even naturally shy people will need to try to sell their personality as well as their research. Hiring committees want to find someone who will interact with other members of the department, attract students, and above all find someone they will enjoy having around for the next 30 years.
  
- John Terning is an Associate Professor at UC Davis.
+ John Terning is a Professor at UC Davis.
  
  This article originally appeared in "Physics World", Oct. 2002.

rejection

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 14:34:28 +0000

@@ -1 +1,41 @@
+ ====== Rejected Rejection ======
  
+ 
+ (Contributed by Gretchen F. Stoloff)
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ Herbert A. Millington\\
+ Chair - Search Committee\\
+ 412A Clarkson Hall\\
+ Whitson University\\
+ College Hill, MA 34109\\
+ \\
+ Dear Professor Millington,
+ 
+ Thank you for your letter of March 16. After careful
+ consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept
+ your refusal to offer me an assistant professor position in your
+ department.
+ 
+ This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an
+ unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied
+ and promising field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept
+ all refusals.
+ 
+ Despite Whitson's outstanding qualifications and previous
+ experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does
+ not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will assume the
+ position of assistant professor in your department this August.
+ I look forward to seeing you then.
+ 
+ Best of luck in rejecting future applicants.
+ \\
+ \\
+ Sincerely,\\
+ \\
+ \\
+ Chris L. Jensen\\

statistics

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 16:43:21 +0000

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
  ====== Statistics ======
- {{:hiring16.png|:hiring.png}}
- {{:subfields16.png|:subfields.png}}
- {{:schools16.png|:schools.png}}
+ {{:hiring17.png|:hiring.png}}
+ {{:subfields17.png|:subfields.png}}
+ {{:schools17.png|:schools.png}}
  
  [[http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/~poppitz/Jobs94-08|download pdf version]]
  
  Analysis provided courtesy of [[http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/~poppitz/|Prof. Erich Poppitz]].

where_are_they

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:50:51 +0000

@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@
  
  
   
    * **[[http://inspirehep.net/search?ln=en&p=find+a+Krohn%2C+David&of=hcs|
- David Krohn]]: **1084 citations, employer requests secrecy
+ David Krohn]]: **1084 citations, global investment management, employer requests secrecy
  
  
    * **[[http://inspirehep.net/search?ln=en&p=a+Lewellen%2C+D&of=hcs|
  David C. Lewellen]]:** 1571 citations, [[http://www.cemr.wvu.edu/~maefac/faculty.htm|Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, West Virginia University]]