Questions for Current Lab Techs

[dxu425]

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently preparing for an interview for a lab tech/lab teaching assistant position, and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for what I might be asked by the PI in the interview. Brief background about me: I graduated in 2011 and have been working in the non-profit sector but am really interested in teaching if/once I become a doctor, so I want to explore opportunities to be involved in education now. I worked in a lab in college and took a lot of science classes with lab, but as some? most? of you might have personally experienced, this lab work often didn't involve really basic, practical skills, like how to mix solutions, how to run PCR without master mixes, etc. that lab techs may be responsible for (well, I guess everyone mostly uses master mixes). The lab I'm interviewing with works with bacteria and yeast, and I have only used a mouse model extensively. I'll be expected to know how to run Western blots, cloning, transformations, etc. I'm definitely going to review my knowledge of those protocols since it's been a while, but I was wondering if you had any other tips for what questions/problems I might expect in the interview.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[drscholls]

I've had very laid back research interviews where it was mostly a conversation about where I was a good fit, and others where I was really grilled about techniques and the specifics of skills listed on my résumé. Varies a lot from lab to lab. If it is industry I would focus on your worm experiences, but if it is academia I would just focus on the techniques you know and the techniques the lab does regularly (know the basics).

 

[Greedo]

Both PIs I interviewed with seemed to be looking for three things: a personality fit with the rest of the lab, my ability to speak clearly and enthusiastically about my past research projects, and my lab skills and troubleshooting experiences. But some PIs may be more flexible about having prior practical experience, because I've met some technicians where I work who haven't done research before, and they still got hired.
Good luck!

 

[Greedo]

And if you can read some papers the lab has published recently, that seems to impress the interviewer.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

A lot of labs will teach you what you need to know and don't expect you to know too much. Granted each lab is different and there certainly are some who expect to get lab techs with years of experience in everything the lab does, but for the most part labs are pretty realistic about what to expect.

As for questions you'll get asked, when I got interviewed for my position I just got asked about my past research in different ways several times, why I wanted to do research, what my future plans were, and easy questions like that. My understanding is that my experience is pretty typical. If a lab is specifically requiring applicants to know how to, say, run a PCR without any help or supervision, then they'll likely grill you on that to make sure you know your stuff though.

I should also emphasize how lab-dependent all of this is. I've seen labs that wanted mini-post docs for lab techs, and I've seen labs that hired history majors fresh out of college with no scientific background whatsoever to work as techs. Obviously the interviews each of those labs would have had would have been very different.

 

[DrEnderW]

The most important advice I could give you (I've worked in 3 labs) is know you previous research and know it well.

If you can't succinctly summarize what you've accomplished and the importance of the research, it shows you don't have a big picture understanding of the project. Additionally, if asked, you should be able to delve into the details of the project and know the future direction.

For my current position, I did not have experience in the specific techniques I would be required to carry out on a daily basis. However, I was able to explain how I've mastered a bunch of other techniques and this experience has taught me to learn quickly. I was told I got the position because I convinced the PI I could pick up and learn anything without much direction and attention. Anyone can learn a new technique. Sell your transferable skills of picking things up quick, attention to detail, dedication to a project, creativity, and ability to see a project to completion.

Good luck!