Research Coordinator interview

[Chriscat]

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Dear all,

I have a question regarding a job interview coming up next Thursday for a Research Coordinator position in a hospital. It is an endocrinology research lab. While my degree is a Psychology degree (MA), I was kind of surprised when I received the call for an interview.

I wonder if it is a good idea to write to one of the RCs in that lab to ask about questions about the position and interview. If it is, what should I ask and how much should I disclose myself?

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences? Thanks in advance!

 

[nessa34]

What would you ask ahead of time that you wouldn't ask during the interview? I'm interpreting your question to mean that the PI is interviewing you and you want to ask your potential coworkers questions; is that right?

If that is right, I wouldn't email someone in the lab before your interview. What you can do to prepare is look at the research coming out of that lab (papers, whatever) and gain some familiarity with the research. Try to see where your background and qualifications fit in with the job description and research so that you can bring those up in the interview. The job description might tell you this, but it could be that they want someone to primarily interact with research subjects, and so having a psych rather than endocrine background may be helpful.

If you do want to get info from a research coordinator in the lab, that will sometimes happen after the interview- I've been interviewed by the PI and then been called by the person I'd be replacing as well. If it's not offered, you may be able to ask to talk to someone also.

good luck!

 

[Chriscat]

Hi Nessa34,

Thank you very much for your reply! And your interpretation was correct (sorry didn't phrase my Q very clearly). And thank you for the kind wish which I really need it. I always encounter some barrier when it comes to interview in the way that I couldn't convey myself straightforwardly and would let the interviewers perceive as a quiet (equals incompetent in communication) and sometimes not very smart. Thanks again!

 

[alphaattenuates]

When I graduated with my MA, I had the opportunity to work in a pharmacology research lab. It definitely wasn't my area of expertise, but what makes a good research coordinator is understanding the fundamentals of how to conduct research - especially how to manage the IRB and what resources to turn to. I knew how to design and implement a project, which was waaay more important than knowing everything about the area. Understanding the specifics about the research came along the way!

So if you're concerned about your lack of knowledge in endocrine, just play up your skills as a researcher in general - design, implementation, IRB knowledge, organization and management skills, etc.

 

[Chriscat]

Dear alphaattenuates,

I think you are right. From the job description, I can tell this position mainly asks the ability to carry out an experiment, all aspects, from head to toe. I had some RA experiences which did not always ask to see the whole picture of a design or its background. My analytical & research method knowledge was solely from the classes (my thesis was a literature review).

Are you in a stage of pursuing a PhD now?