How to prepare for an interview in the lab - tips and tricks for scientists

European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
31 Oct 201803:25
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe transcript emphasizes the importance of preparation for lab interviews, including understanding the lab's publications and interdisciplinary potential, reflecting on past research, and considering the social and living environment. It advises applicants to be ready to discuss their background, interests, and ideas for the lab, and stresses the value of clear, concise answers. It also suggests that postdocs should have project ideas and techniques in mind, while students should focus on showing interest and asking questions. Finally, it advises on handling nervousness and following up after the interview.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Do your homework: Read the lab's publications and understand the institution's broader research landscape.
  • 🤝 Consider interdisciplinary potential: Explore possible collaborations with neighboring labs and the skills you could gain.
  • 🧐 Reflect on your past work: Be prepared to discuss your master's, bachelor's, or PhD thesis and your contributions.
  • 💡 Prepare for the 'why': Have a clear reason for wanting to join the specific lab and be ready to articulate it.
  • 🔍 Identify research weaknesses: Be aware of the shortcomings in your previous research and how you are addressing them.
  • 🌐 Leverage online resources: Use the lab's webpage and other online sources to understand the lab's environment.
  • 🤔 Utilize your network: Tap into your contacts to gain insights into the social environment and living conditions in the city.
  • 🗣️ Communication is key: Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and quickly grasp concepts.
  • 💡 Bring ideas to the table: Postdocs should come with project ideas, while master's and PhD students should show interest in the lab's methods and projects.
  • ❓ Ask questions: Engage by asking about aspects you don't understand and how your expertise could contribute.
  • 🤯 Don't rush to answer: Take time to think before responding to questions to provide concise and precise answers.
  • 🙅‍♂️ Be honest about what you don't know: If you don't know an answer, explain how you would find it out instead of making one up.
  • 🔄 Seek feedback post-interview: After the interview, try to gauge how it went and follow up if you haven't heard back.
Q & A

  • What should applicants do as part of their homework before an interview at a lab?

    -Applicants should read the publications of the lab they are applying to, understand what the institution is doing, and consider how they could work with multiple PIs and gain interdisciplinary skills.

  • Why is it important for applicants to know about neighboring labs and interdisciplinary opportunities?

    -Knowing about neighboring labs and interdisciplinary opportunities helps applicants understand the broader research environment and how they might collaborate with various researchers.

  • What types of questions will interviewers typically ask about an applicant's background?

    -Interviewers will ask about the applicant's educational background, their work during their master's or bachelor's thesis, and their PhD work if applicable.

  • Why is it crucial for applicants to prepare for questions about their previous research?

    -Preparing for questions about previous research allows applicants to discuss their work clearly and address any weak spots or ongoing challenges in their research.

  • What should applicants consider when thinking about the social and living environment of the lab and city?

    -Applicants should consider the social environment of the lab, the city's lifestyle, and how these factors might influence their decision to join the lab.

  • What qualities does the lab look for in future members?

    -The lab looks for individuals who can communicate effectively, quickly grasp concepts, and contribute ideas to the lab's work.

  • How should postdocs prepare for an interview with a lab?

    -Postdocs should come prepared with ideas for their work in the lab and techniques they wish to learn, demonstrating their initiative and expertise.

  • What is the importance of showing interest in the lab's methods and projects for PhD and master's students?

    -Showing interest in the lab's methods and projects helps PhD and master's students demonstrate their engagement and how their previous expertise might contribute to the lab.

  • How should applicants handle questions they don't know the answer to during an interview?

    -Applicants should take time to think and provide a concise, precise answer. If they don't know the answer, they should explain how they would figure it out rather than inventing one.

  • What should applicants do after an interview to get a sense of how it went?

    -After the interview, applicants should discuss with lab members, not just the group leader, to get impressions and, if they don't hear back, consider sending an email to inquire about the decision process.

  • What is the difference in the interview process when applying for a position with existing funding versus applying for funding with a group leader?

    -When applying for a position with existing funding, the process may be more straightforward, whereas applying for funding with a group leader involves a collaborative approach and may require the applicant to contribute to the funding proposal.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Pre-Interview Preparation and Research

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of doing thorough homework before an interview. It suggests reading the publications of the lab and understanding the broader institutional context, including neighboring labs and potential interdisciplinary opportunities. The paragraph also touches on the types of questions interviewers may ask about the applicant's background, their previous research, and their reasons for wanting to join the lab. It advises applicants to prepare for questions about their research's weak spots and how they are addressing them. The speaker also recommends using online resources and personal networks to understand the social environment of the place and the city where the lab is located, as these factors are crucial for making an informed decision.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡homework
In the context of the video, 'homework' refers to the preparatory research an applicant should conduct before an interview. This includes reading the publications of the lab they are applying to and understanding the broader institutional context. It is crucial for the applicant to demonstrate their knowledge and interest in the lab's work, which is a key part of the video's theme about interview preparation.
💡interdisciplinary skills
The term 'interdisciplinary skills' highlights the ability to integrate knowledge and methods from different fields or disciplines. In the video, it is suggested that applicants should consider how they could gain such skills by potentially working with multiple principal investigators (PIs) in an environment that encourages collaboration across different labs. This concept is central to the video's message about the value of diverse expertise in a research setting.
💡institution
An 'institution' in this script refers to the larger organization, such as a university or research center, where the lab is situated. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding not just the specific lab's work but also the broader activities and environment of the institution. This understanding helps applicants assess the fit between their interests and the institution's research focus.
💡PI (Principal Investigator)
A 'Principal Investigator' is the lead scientist or researcher responsible for a research project or lab. The script mentions the possibility of working with one or several PIs, indicating the collaborative nature of research environments. This term is used to illustrate the potential for applicants to engage with multiple research leaders in their work.
💡master thesis
A 'master thesis' is a significant research project typically completed as part of a master's degree program. In the video, the script suggests that interviewers will inquire about an applicant's work during their master thesis, which serves as an example of their research capabilities and interests, directly relevant to the theme of assessing an applicant's fit for a lab.
💡bachelor thesis
Similar to a 'master thesis,' a 'bachelor thesis' is a culminating academic project for undergraduate students. The script implies that interviewers may ask about an applicant's undergraduate thesis to gauge their foundational research skills and the evolution of their academic interests.
💡PhD
The 'PhD' or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. The script discusses the different expectations for PhD applicants compared to master's students or postdocs, emphasizing the progression of research responsibilities and the depth of understanding required at each academic level.
💡postdoc
A 'postdoc' refers to a researcher who has completed their PhD and is engaged in temporary scholarly work, often to gain additional research experience or publish research findings. The video script notes that postdoc applicants should come prepared with ideas for their work in the lab, reflecting the expectation of higher initiative and independence at this career stage.
💡research environment
The 'research environment' encompasses the social, physical, and academic context in which research is conducted. The script advises applicants to understand the social environment of the lab and the city where it is located, as these factors significantly influence the research experience and are integral to the video's theme of comprehensive interview preparation.
💡weak spots
In the context of the video, 'weak spots' refer to the areas of an applicant's previous research that may be criticized or questioned. The script suggests that applicants should be prepared to discuss these aspects, demonstrating their self-awareness and ability to address potential shortcomings in their work.
💡network
A 'network' in this script refers to the professional connections an applicant may have, which can be leveraged to gain insights into the lab and institution they are applying to. The video emphasizes the importance of using one's network to understand the social environment and other factors that contribute to the decision-making process.
💡concise
Being 'concise' means providing a clear, brief, and to-the-point response. The script advises applicants to think before answering interview questions and to give concise answers to demonstrate clarity of thought, which is a key aspect of effective communication during an interview.
💡funding
In the script, 'funding' refers to the financial support necessary to conduct research or to support a researcher's position in a lab. The video discusses different scenarios involving funding, such as applying for a position with existing funding or applying for funding alongside a group leader, which highlights the importance of financial considerations in academic research.
Highlights

Applicants should do their homework by reading the publications of the lab they're applying to and understanding the broader institutional context.

Consider potential interdisciplinary collaborations with neighboring labs and the skills that could be gained in such an environment.

Interviewers will ask about an applicant's background, including their master's, bachelor's, or PhD thesis work.

Applicants should be prepared to explain why they want to join the specific lab.

Prepare to discuss the weak spots of your previous research and how you addressed or are addressing them.

Understand the different strategies to grasp the environment you're entering, including using online resources and personal contacts.

Gain insight into the social environment and living conditions in the city where the lab is located, as these are important for decision-making.

Lab members should be able to communicate effectively and quickly grasp concepts presented by the group leader or other members.

Postdocs should come prepared with ideas for their work in the lab and techniques they wish to learn.

For PhD and master's students, showing interest in the lab's methods and projects is crucial.

Applicants should ask questions about aspects they don't understand and how their previous expertise could contribute to the projects.

When nervous, it's better to think before answering questions concisely and precisely rather than rushing to respond.

If unsure about an answer, explain how you would figure it out instead of inventing one.

After the interview, try to gauge how it went by discussing with lab members and the group leader.

If there's no response post-interview, consider sending an email to inquire about the status of the application.

Different situations apply when applying for a funded position versus applying for funding with a group leader.

If a group leader invites you to apply for funding, it indicates a positive response to your application.

Transcripts

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Interview TipsLab ResearchAcademic PreparationInterdisciplinaryCommunication SkillsResearch WeaknessesSocial EnvironmentProfessional NetworkConcept UnderstandingMasters StudentsPhD Opportunities