questions to ask pi during phd interview

15 questions to ask the PI in a phone interview for a postdoctoral position

Often principal investigators (PI) conduct phone interviews with candidates for postdoctoral positions in their labs. This is particularly true when the candidates are in other states or other countries, and unable to meet with their potential mentors in person.

As a result, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs compiled this list of questions to be sure to ask:

• What are the PI’s expectations of the postdoctoral scientist in terms of lab work, leadership of the lab team, management of the lab?
• How do those differ from the expectations of a graduate student or research associate?
• Does the PI expect the postdoc to oversee graduate student projects?
• Does the PI have a specific project for you? If so, what is it?
• Will the PI provide extra help for long experiments?
• How does the PI prefer to communicate? Email, phone, face-to-face?
• Would you please describe the work culture?
• Does the PI want you to focus mostly on publications? Will the PI work together to draft the manuscripts?
• Does the PI want you to write a grant or fellowship application to help support your stipend and research? If so, will the PI help you write the application? How soon after you begin?
• Will the PI support you in taking extra courses for career building or professional development? (Postdocs at UTMB are required to enroll in the Postdoctoral Certificate Program, but some courses provide more career development opportunities than others – and these require more time away from the lab.)
• Does the PI encourage postdocs to participate in conferences, presentations and collaborations outside the lab?
• How many years of funding are guaranteed?
• What is the salary and benefit package? ( This should wait until the PI makes the offer. )

Ask the PI to give you email addresses or phone numbers of current or previous postdocs who can provide some background information.

Questions for members of the lab:

• What is the lab culture? Some examples: Does the PI celebrate achievements, birthdays, encourage teamwork? What is the dominant language? Are the work hours rigid or flexible (“whatever it takes” to get the job done)? Does the PI micro-manage the work? Does the PI require the postdoc to be in the lab constantly?
• How much independence can the postdoc get to pursue related but separate research?
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The Best Questions to Ask During a PhD Interview

A PhD interview is not only a chance for the department to determine if you’re a good fit for their program, it’s also an opportunity for you to decide if their program is right for you. Coming to the interview prepared with some questions shows the selection committee you’re serious about their program. Stuck on what to ask? Give these questions a go!

1. Are there opportunities for summer funding or travel grants?

Not all programs pay students during the summer months. If this is the case, you should ask if the program provides financial support for students to do research-related activities in the summer like take language classes or do fieldwork. Are there grants available from the department or university for research-related travel? In a similar vein, does the department or graduate school provide travel grants to reimburse PhD students for conference expenses?

2. What are recent alumni doing now?

Getting a PhD is a big investment of time and money so potential students want reassurance that it will pay off in the future. Before you commit to a program, find out where its recent alumni are now working. Do most alumni go on to positions in academia or are most of them working in industry or alt-ac?           

3. What sort of special resources does the university have for research in this field?

Some universities have resources above and beyond the norm, such as their own collection of papyri or a world-renowned affiliated hospital, which graduate students can access for their research. This can give one program an edge over another.

4. How long does it take on average for students to earn their degree?

The length of a PhD depends on which country you are studying in, however if one program has a longer-than-average time to degree it’s worth finding out why. Does the program require more coursework or have more exams than other similar programs? It’s also work asking what percentage of students don’t complete the program as a high percentage could be a red flag.

5. Will I have the opportunity to teach during my PhD?

If you want to be a professor, teaching will be an essential part of your job. It is extremely beneficial to gain teaching experience during your PhD and many North American PhD programs actually require at least one year of teaching.

6. Will I have the opportunity to publish during my PhD?

Publishing is an important part of academic life, but the publishing expectations of graduate students will depend on the field. If you are interviewing in STEM and social sciences, it is more relevant to ask how many first author papers most students publish by the time they graduate. In the humanities, where graduate publications are rarer, the better question will be if most students publish while they are in the program. In both cases, you should also ask how the faculty helps students learn to navigate publishing process.           

7. What is the funding level of this PhD position?

If the job posting or department website doesn’t go into detail about PhD funding, you can take this opportunity to clarify the funding level and total cost of the program. Depending on your circumstances, you might also want to ask whether the department offers any paid assistantship positions or supports external fellowship/grant applications.

8. What makes this program unique?

The core elements of all PhD programs are the same, so try to ask a question that gets at the differences. What does this program do to differentiate itself from the competition? It can be interesting to hear how multiple faculty members in the same department answer this question.

9. Are there any planned absences in the department in the coming years?

Do any key faculty members (including your supervisor) have sabbaticals planned while you would be doing your PhD?

10. How does the dissertation process work in this program?

It’s helpful to ask questions such as can students choose their own committee members, does the university offer finishing fellowships, and how long on average does it take students in this program to complete their dissertations?

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Mastering the PhD Interview: Common Questions and How to Ace Them

Your PhD interview will be an important part of your postgraduate research application. This is your chance to meet your prospective department, discuss your project and show your potential as an academic researcher.

You’ll need to show an awareness of what’s involved in a PhD project and prove that you have the right aspirations and approach to work on one for three (or more) years. You’ll also need to make it clear that this is the right university, department, research group or laboratory for you.

None of this has to be especially intimidating. Putting some thought into your project and your choice of institution can make answering PhD entrance interview questions quite simple.

On this page we’ve put together a list of the questions you might be asked at an interview. We’ve also explained why the university might be asking each question, and provided some tips on how to answer them

You won’t necessarily be asked all of these questions – and you almost certainly won’t be asked them in the order here. Some of them also overlap with each other. But they’re all topics that you should prepare to discuss at a PhD interview .

The PhD interview is a crucial step in gaining admission to a doctoral program While every university conducts interviews differently, there are some common PhD interview questions that tend to pop up frequently Being well-prepared to answer these questions confidently and articulately can help you make a stellar impression during your PhD interview.

In this comprehensive guide we will explore the most common PhD interview questions along with tips and sample answers to help you nail your responses.

Why Pursue a PhD?

This question tests your motivation for pursuing doctoral research. Interviewers want to gauge your passion for the subject area and your long-term career goals.

Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and convey how a PhD aligns with your academic interests.

Explain how the program can equip you with necessary skills for your desired career path.

Avoid generic answers – be specific about your motivations.

Sample Answer: I am deeply fascinated by machine learning and its potential to transform healthcare. Pursuing a PhD in this field is the ideal next step for me to gain advanced technical skills while also expanding the boundaries of knowledge. My goal is to develop AI systems that can enhance medical diagnosis and treatment planning. This aligns perfectly with the cutting-edge research at your university. The PhD will equip me with the research expertise necessary to become an AI scientist in the healthcare industry.

Why This University?

Interviewers want to assess how well you’ve researched their particular PhD program. Mention specific aspects that appeal to you.

Reference particular research projects, specialized labs/facilities, or faculty experts that align with your academic interests.

Show that you understand the university’s strengths and offerings.

Convey your fit with the program’s focus areas.

Sample Answer: I am highly interested in Professor Davies’ work on computational models of neurodegenerative diseases. Her interdisciplinary approach combining computer science and neuroscience mirrors my own research background. Additionally, your university’s expertise in translational bioinformatics and partnerships with healthcare providers offer an ideal foundation for me to translate my work into real-world impact. The newly launched Center for Data Science is also a huge draw, providing access to high-performance computing infrastructure.

Relevant Skills and Experience

This question allows you to demonstrate your qualifications and readiness for doctoral-level research.

Reference specific projects or research initiatives you contributed to.

Discuss relevant skills (data analysis, technical expertise etc.) gained through past experiences.

Connect your background directly to the PhD program/topic.

Sample Answer: My Master’s thesis developing predictive models for treatment response in cancer patients honed my skills in applying machine learning to biomedical data. I was commended by my supervisor for devising a novel validation framework to evaluate model performance. Additionally, my research internship at the Institute of Genomic Biology allowed me to co-author a paper on transcriptomic biomarkers in immunotherapy. These experiences equipped me with proficiency in biostatistics, bioinformatics pipelines, and communicating scientific research – all highly relevant to this PhD program.

Handling Challenges and Setbacks

Since research involves facing obstacles, interviewers want to assess your perseverance and problem-solving ability. Use examples that demonstrate these qualities.

Choose an example relevant to academic/research challenges.

Explain the specific difficulties faced and how you overcame them.

Emphasize positive outcomes and lessons learned.

Sample Answer: When a key experiment in my Master’s thesis failed due to equipment issues, I had to quickly re-strategize to meet looming deadlines. I reached out to other labs to borrow equipment and optimized my schedule to complete the experiment swiftly. While stressful, this experience taught me the importance of adaptability in research. More importantly, I developed stronger troubleshooting and creative problem-solving skills.

Research Plans and Goals

You should expect in-depth questions about your proposed research topic. Be ready to discuss the significance, challenges, methods, and expected outcomes.

Clearly explain your research idea and overall approach.

Highlight the original contributions your work intends to make.

Demonstrate feasibility but also vision/potential impact.

Sample Answer: My research will focus on developing targeted immunotherapy approaches for glioblastoma based on genomic biomarkers. I plan to utilize single-cell sequencing and machine learning to identify prognostic biomarkers and understand tumor heterogeneity. This can enable more personalized, efficacious immunotherapies. A key challenge lies in integrating multi-omics data. My background in bioinformatics equips me well to overcome this using novel multi-modal algorithms. This work addresses a critical bottleneck in glioblastoma treatment and has significant translational potential.

Questions for the Interviewer

The interview is a two-way street. Asking thoughtful questions conveys your engagement.

Inquire about research collaborations, training opportunities, lab culture, etc.

Avoid questions you can easily find online. Focus on insights specific to the program.

Limit questions – select one or two key ones relevant to your goals.

Sample Questions:

How closely do doctoral students collaborate with faculty at your various research centers? I’m interested in opportunities for interdisciplinary work.

Are there dedicated mentoring or professional development initiatives for PhD students through the program?

What are the typical timelines for PhD students in this program to complete their dissertations?

Thoroughly research the program, faculty, and university.

Review your CV and research proposal – interview questions will connect back to them.

Practice answering questions aloud to polish your responses.

Make eye contact and express enthusiasm about joining the program.

Preparing insightful responses to common PhD interview questions and having meaningful discussions about your goals and qualifications can help make a winning impression. Use these tips and examples to master your PhD interview!

#11 Why have you chosen to study a PhD at this university?

Whatever else your panel asks, you can be pretty sure a question about your choice of university and department will crop up at some point in a PhD interview.

Your answer gives you the opportunity to do several important things.

Most obviously you can talk about the university and its research. Explain why you’d like to study with these supervisors in particular, when you’ve used their work during your Bachelors degree or Masters (if relevant) and how you can contribute to their future projects.

This is also an opportunity to reiterate your awareness of the wider research context for your project. If other departments or laboratories are undertaking related work, mention that. Say what attracted you to this university in particular and what you hope to achieve as one of its students.

If your PhD is part of a structured Doctoral Programme (as is increasingly likely) you can touch on any training and development opportunities it includes. You may mention these elsewhere in your interview, but make sure to include them when speaking about the university’s appeal to you.

Finally, show an awareness of any relevant research facilities, resources or collections.

Does the university hold a unique archive? Suggest how it might support your investigations. Has the laboratory you’re working in been equipped with any new facilities? Show that you know about them and are interested in using them (as relevant).

Universities spend a lot of money on facilities and resources. They want students – particularly postgraduate researchers – who will make use of them.

• I’ve looked at lots of opportunities in this area. I feel that this project is the best of its kind, combining a unique research angle with a training programme that will meet my professional needs. I was already familiar with the work of my prospective supervisor and their research has greatly informed my own development as a scholar. I’m eager to combine my work with theirs and make use of the facilities the university has put together for this project.
• I did my Masters here and already have a flat in the city.

#4 What are your strengths and weaknesses?

A well-worn question, but a great opportunity to reflect on your abilities – as well as opportunities for further development during your PhD.

What your panel is really interested in is not so much what your strengths and weaknesses actually are, but your ability to identify them.

In practice, this means giving solid examples for strengths and showing how they relate to the PhD project you have in mind.

Don’t just say you’re a good time-keeper. Point out when you’ve had to be well organised and show that you understand the importance of self-directed study to a successful PhD.

When it comes to weaknesses, maintain the right balance.

A PhD interview probably isn’t the best time to wallow in existential self-doubt (unless you’re applying for a very specific topic in Philosophy). Equally though, answers like ‘my only downfall is excessive perfectionism’ can sound a bit contrived. If the panel is asking you about strengths and weaknesses, they want you to identify and reflect on both.

Be honest about the things you find challenging, but identify them as training needs and discuss how you expect to improve upon them as part of your PhD.

• I feel that I’m a good written communicator. My existing academic and professional work demonstrates an ability to put forward ideas clearly and concisely. I think this will help me manage the weight of information my PhD research needs to cover and the challenge of producing an effective thesis. But, I’m not always as organised as I’d like to be. I want to address this as part of my postgraduate training and hope to take advantage of classes and development opportunities early in my doctorate.
• My greatest strength is that I have no weaknesses! And my only weakness is that I have no strengths. Hang on…

PhD Interview Questions + Answers | How To Pass Your PhD Interview

What questions will they ask in a PhD interview?

How can I impress my PhD interview?

How do I pass my PhD interview?

Are PhD interviews hard?

What are the most common PhD interview questions?

Here are ten common PhD interview questions. 1. Tell us about yourself This is a popular opener for just about any type of interview. It’s meant to be an easy icebreaker, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a wrong answer. Make sure to your response is relevant to the context of a PhD interview.

How to prepare for a PhD interview?

Dress and Present Professionally: Choose a professional and comfortable outfit for your interview. Dressing appropriately shows respect for the process, while confidence in your appearance can boost your self-assurance during the interview. Remember that preparation is the foundation of success in PhD interviews.

What is a PhD interview?

A PhD interview is a critical step in the admissions process for doctoral programs. It serves as an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you better, assess your qualifications, and determine your suitability for the program.

Are PhD interview questions difficult to answer?

PhD interview questions can be very tricky to answer and this is for a good reason. is an amazing academic achievement, as well as , and it’s certainly not one for the faint-hearted.

What should a PhD interview include?

Ph.D. interviews vary in format. A Ph.D. interview could range from an informal meeting with a potential adviser to interviewing with a formal panel. However, all Ph.D. interviews will include questions that concern your academic achievements, field of research, motivation for applying and goals.

How do you answer a PhD interview question?

This is a standard question for most interviews, and a PhD interview is no different. Pick strengths that compliment your PhD programme. For example, if applying to a Physics or Engineering PhD, mentioning you have good attention to detail would be highly beneficial given the amount of data analysis involved.

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Postdoc interview checklist (Part 1): 10 questions to expect at a postdoc interview

When PhDs are exploring career opportunities, it is important to ascertain whether a postdoc would take them closer to their long-term career goal. Most PhDs do a postdoc with the aim of securing a faculty position; however, career data shows that most of them will eventually get a non-academic position that didn’t require a postdoc in the first place.

That said, if you carefully assess that you want to do a postdoc, next step is finding the right mentor , lab and project . Approaching the principal investigator (PI) with personalized motivation letter , which benefits from thoroughly reading of their recent papers; and an academic CV , are likely to get the candidate selected for interview. Then comes the interview.

A postdoc interview, in most cases, is the first job interview for a fresh PhD graduate. It is therefore natural for candidates to look up ‘how to’ guides for the process. However, a postdoc interview, in most cases, is quite different from those in other careers; for example, it is often a one-on-one meeting with a PI, instead of a panel of experts. Therefore, preparing and rehearsing common questions and answers can help in understanding a PI’s reasoning and to respond accordingly. Following are a few questions that I have encountered, and that my fellow eLife ambassador PIs ask during postdoc interviews.

• Briefly describe your current position and what research you are doing/did in your PhD The PI has probably seen this in your CV, but it is a good start to conversation. Prepare for it, this is likely to relax you. Don’t explain all your previous research, highlight common interests among yourself and PI and focus on the research relevant to the advertised postdoc project.
• During your research, what was the biggest challenge? how did you solve that challenge? and how could you have avoided it? You are being assessed for your problem-solving attitude. Bring forward an experiment that didn’t work and you had to optimize. It is important to take responsibility for your own actions and avoid blaming other people/circumstances for past mishaps; not only for the interview, this is good lab practice.
• Are you considering any other offers? Why have you specifically applied here and what criteria would you use to decide between competing offers? This is to assess your seriousness and interest in the lab. Make sure not to hide if you have applied elsewhere; scientific world is small, and people talk. Regardless, it is normal not to put all your eggs in one basket; and you competing for more than one positions indicates your competitiveness.
• Briefly tell me what you understood from the advertisement about the experiments you’ll be performing This is to assess your expertise and knowledge of the advertised project. If you applied for a project relevant to your past research, this can be a smooth process. However, if you are applying in a different field, you should read the protocols and be very clear about the experimental procedures required to carry out the advertised research. In any case, you will benefit from reading PI’s recent papers.
• What skills do you have to perform these experiments? Highlight the skills that you already have in common with the host lab. Also, describe what new skills and protocols you can bring to benefit the project.
• If you are performing experiment X using methodology Y, what controls should you use? This can also be to assess if you really know all the techniques listed on your CV, so consider carefully while writing your CV.
• What are your long-term plans? Do you want to stay in academia or to join industry? How do you aim to achieve those plans? Think about where you see yourself in five years. This is a good time to show that you are a committed person and a long-term planner.
• If I invite you, will you be able to visit my lab for one day, meet the lab members and give a talk? If yes when we can do that? If you are offered the position, when can you join? Mostly, the first interview is on a call (Skype). Visiting PI’s lab is an excellent opportunity to meet the lab members in PI’s absence and decide later among multiple offers. You should be clear about the dates when you’ll be available.
• Do you have any questions for me? This itself is a separate set of instructions/questions, and can take half of the interview time. This will be covered in an upcoming blog post.
• Expect the unexpected Finally, in my experience, most interviewers were like informal conversations, and several things came up that I hadn’t prepared for. And that part, I enjoyed the most. In fact, the interview for the position that I finally choose, was an informal chat of 45 minutes.

So be yourself, relax and remember that a rejection is not the end of the world. There are dozens of postdoc opportunities that may not be very relevant to your expertise but may bring a unique diversity in your skill set and be very useful for you in the long run.

[ Note: the feature image at the top of the article is reproduced from  www.amtec.us.com ]

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