Interview with lab PI

[altogether]

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I have an interview with a lab PI for a paid research position. I was wondering what qualities they are checking for during an interview? It probably depends on the person but am I going to be asked how to calculate stuff or explain everything I know about a topic? I want to be as prepared as possible but I have no idea what to expect.

Thank you.

 

[austinap]

I have an interview with a lab PI for a paid research position. I was wondering what qualities they are checking for during an interview? It probably depends on the person but am I going to be asked how to calculate stuff or explain everything I know about a topic? I want to be as prepared as possible but I have no idea what to expect.

Thank you.

Depending on the school and the specific PI, they usually want to see that you're genuinely interested in what their lab works on, have good enough personal skills that you're not going to piss off everyone that you work with, and that you're dedicated to the research enough that you'll stick around long enough to become useful to the lab.

Training undergrads to work in a lab is a pretty big dedication. Depending on the specific area of research, it can take well over a year before a full time graduate student becomes productive in a lab. It takes even longer for an undergraduate to become productive, so usually a PI is looking for an undergrad that is going to be around long enough that they'll reach that point. It's expensive and time consuming to train you, they want to be sure that the research is going to be more than just a line on your resume.

Most PIs don't give technical interviews - i.e., ask you to calculate solution concentrations, etc. They're looking more for general personality traits and a scientific curiosity.

 

[brygguy1]

I am not a PI, but I have worked with my PI for hiring undergrads before. For us, undergrad research is a paid position (~$10/hr, 20hr/wk). Most of our undergrads are hired with a 2yr commitment and the understanding that they will probably leave for med school (or grad school) after graduation. Here are some of the do's and dont's we go by:

DO:
-have good grades
-know how to handle a conversation and be personable (talk about skiing, football, baseball, whatever)
-have a genuine interest in research
-be able to express your ultimate goals (research? PhD? Med? Patent Law?) and how research relates to them (not just a resume-filler).
-have an understanding of the types of assays you will perform in the lab
-have a general understanding of the lab's research
-be able to talk about examples that show how you're responsible, have good time management, and organizational skills.
-be semi-professional. You don't need a full suit or tux, but definitely wear a dress shirt + slacks + tie or equivalent. Shave, do your hair, etc.
-let them know you are a well-rounded, sociable person. I'm sure you have other interests outside of medicine and research.

Do NOT:
-do not pretend that you are an "expert" on western blots or any procedure because you learned about them in lecture.
-do not offer to show your boobs/tatas/goodies/twins if you get the job (has happened)
-do not let them think you are "lazy" or inefficient or that you don't care
-do not let them think you are a party animal or have substance abuse problems
-do not overstate your resume (e.g. "my job at Abercrappy and Fitch tought me leadership skills and the importance of work ethic." NO).

 

[altogether]

Depending on the school and the specific PI, they usually want to see that you're genuinely interested in what their lab works on, have good enough personal skills that you're not going to piss off everyone that you work with, and that you're dedicated to the research enough that you'll stick around long enough to become useful to the lab.

Training undergrads to work in a lab is a pretty big dedication. Depending on the specific area of research, it can take well over a year before a full time graduate student becomes productive in a lab. It takes even longer for an undergraduate to become productive, so usually a PI is looking for an undergrad that is going to be around long enough that they'll reach that point. It's expensive and time consuming to train you, they want to be sure that the research is going to be more than just a line on your resume.

Most PIs don't give technical interviews - i.e., ask you to calculate solution concentrations, etc. They're looking more for general personality traits and a scientific curiosity.

Thanks for the reply. This is actually a lab position at a medical school for my time off so I don't know if that makes anything different. I am definitely committed and interested. I'm just really worried they will ask me something technical because as an undergrad I was asked to do a serial dilution, and another time I was asked to explain everything I know about a mitochondria. Both were FAILs lol.

 

[brygguy1]

Thanks for the reply. This is actually a lab position at a medical school for my time off so I don't know if that makes anything different. I am definitely committed and interested. I'm just really worried they will ask me something technical because as an undergrad I was asked to do a serial dilution, and another time I was asked to explain everything I know about a mitochondria. Both were FAILs lol.

Are you currently a medical student? If so they will probably expect you to have some technical understanding, but it depends on what kind of lab you are working with. DEFINITELY familiarize yourself with what kind of work the lab is doing, and some of their more recent publications. Many labs will have a lab website with their goals and recent publications. Many PIs will also have a "Bio" page on their institution's website that may contain links/titles for their recent publications. Otherwise you can go to pubmed and search for their publications. Most PI's will attach their name as the last author for all publications from their lab.

 

[csmittyB]

...
Do NOT:
-do not pretend that you are an "expert" on western blots or any procedure because you learned about them in lecture.
-do not offer to show your boobs/tatas/goodies/twins if you get the job (has happened)
-do not let them think you are "lazy" or inefficient or that you don't care
-do not let them think you are a party animal or have substance abuse problems
-do not overstate your resume (e.g. "my job at Abercrappy and Fitch tought me leadership skills and the importance of work ethic." NO).

🤣🤣

What lab couldn't use a stripper? If mine had one, I might enjoy research more.

 

[austinap]

I am not a PI, but I have worked with my PI for hiring undergrads before. For us, undergrad research is a paid position (~$10/hr, 20hr/wk). Most of our undergrads are hired with a 2yr commitment and the understanding that they will probably leave for med school (or grad school) after graduation. Here are some of the do's and dont's we go by:

DO:
-have good grades
-know how to handle a conversation and be personable (talk about skiing, football, baseball, whatever)
-have a genuine interest in research
-be able to express your ultimate goals (research? PhD? Med? Patent Law?) and how research relates to them (not just a resume-filler).
-have an understanding of the types of assays you will perform in the lab
-have a general understanding of the lab's research
-be able to talk about examples that show how you're responsible, have good time management, and organizational skills.
-be semi-professional. You don't need a full suit or tux, but definitely wear a dress shirt + slacks + tie or equivalent. Shave, do your hair, etc.
-let them know you are a well-rounded, sociable person. I'm sure you have other interests outside of medicine and research.

Do NOT:
-do not pretend that you are an "expert" on western blots or any procedure because you learned about them in lecture.
-do not offer to show your boobs/tatas/goodies/twins if you get the job (has happened)
-do not let them think you are "lazy" or inefficient or that you don't care
-do not let them think you are a party animal or have substance abuse problems
-do not overstate your resume (e.g. "my job at Abercrappy and Fitch tought me leadership skills and the importance of work ethic." NO).

I think this is a pretty good list. Every lab is slightly different. In our lab, for example, undergrads are only taken if a graduate student is interested in working with them, and then only under recommendation of that grad student. Of course, our PI gets veto power.

Again, it's pretty uncommon that a PI would ask you to perform a bunch of calculations, etc, but it isn't out of the question. In your example, you should at least know what a serial dilution is, or if you're asked a question along the lines of "how would you make a 10 mL sample of 1 nM DTT?" you should know that you're not going to be measuring out 1.5 nanograms of DTT and dissolving it in water.

You also should have read the groups research interest on their website, and its probably a good idea to read a few of their more recent and/or high impact (Nature, Science, Cell, etc) papers before the meeting. Most groups mention the methods they commonly use on their group page. You should have at least a cursory understanding of these techniques (e.g., if they use ELISA for everything, you should at least know what it stands for and a bit about how it works). Don't pretend to be an expert - we know you're not, and you won't be for some time. Do be curious and excited about the research.