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Summary. Research assistant candidates should create a list of previous responsibilities that relate to the position. Interviewers should set expectations on the type of responsibilities that would be required of candidates in the position.
Research assistants are expected to have superb observational, analytical, technical, and time-management skills as they aid professionals with conducting experiments and interpreting the data.
Because of the job’s nature, it’s important to showcase these desirable skills and traits in the interview regardless of whether you’re being considered for a job in a laboratory, college, consulting firm, social science setting, think tank, market research, a polling organization, or other types of businesses interested in hiring a research assistant.
Key Takeaways:
Candidates should review behavioral interview questions to help be prepared for those questions to be asked in the interview.
Interviewers should create a list of questions that are tailored to the position and they should be a mixture of common interview questions and behavioral questions.
As the Candidate:
Create a list of previous responsibilities. Write down a list of your previous experiences to help you relate them to the current job description. Some common research job responsibilities can include:
Preparing interview questions and collecting data during interview.
Analyze data from research using both behavioral and EEG measures.
Image data extraction through use of ENVI.
Gain familiarity with research terminology, development procedures, data collection and management, and IRB considerations.
Practice behavioral interview questions. Interviewers ask behavioral interview questions to see how a candidate would react in a situation. Reviewing and practicing how you would answer allows you to give an ideal answer.
Create a list of hard and soft skills. Being a research assistant means needing various hard and soft skills. Common hard skills needed in this position are skills with software and patients. Common soft skills are communication and analytical skills.
As the Interviewer:
Set expectations. During the interview, set expectations on what is required by the candidate if they got the job. This gives the candidate clear and realistic expectations of what is expected of them if they got the position.
Create a list of questions. Create a list of questions consisting behavioral interview questions. This allows for you to gauge how a candidate handles a situation.
Evaluate on skills. Take note of each candidate's hard and soft skills and evaluate how useful they would be in the position.
Below are some sample interview questions and answers for a research assistant:
Tell me about yourself.
This is a common interview question that is typically asked at the start of the interview. Your answer should highlight your relevant skills and experience. Any personal information you give should relate back to the position.
Example Answer:
I am a detail-oriented who is passionate about research. I have a strong interest in learning new things and getting a better understanding of different research methodologies. In my last role, I was responsible for managing and coordinating research projects, conducting literature reviews, and collecting dating using various methods.
Why do you want to be a research assistant?
This question is asked to see what lead you to the decision of being a research assistant. Provide the interviewer with one or two examples of something in your past that brought you to where you are today.
Example Answer:
I want to be a research assistant because I have a passion for learning and exploring new ideas. Research gives me a way to pursue this passion, while also contributing to the advancement of knowledge in various fields. I believe working as a research assistant allows me to combine my passion for learning with my desire to make an impact on society.
Why are you interested in this position?
When explaining why you want this job, your answer should reflect your enthusiasm for both the work as well as the company. Discuss your career goals and tie them into the company’s needs and goals.
I’ve been following your company’s research program for several years. I have a deep appreciation for the thoroughness and quality of the research as well as the overall culture, and I see a lot of opportunities for a long-term career here.
I love that assistants are able to be a part of multiple different projects to gain broad exposure and knowledge early in their careers.
Provide an overview of your computer experience.
You should have a good idea of which programs you’ll be using based on the job description, which means you’ll fall into one of two categories: either you already have experience in those programs, or you don’t.
If it’s the first, be sure to specifically mention those programs in your response. If it’s the latter, talk about what you know when it comes to computers and then explain that you’re a quick, eager learner ready to dive in.
I have used both Windows and Apple operating software and feel very comfortable in both. I also have a lot of experience using the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office to create presentations.
I’m a fast learner when it comes to software, and I’m confident that I will quickly adapt to the computer programs and standard operating procedures here.
Describe your research process.
The hiring manager wants to make sure that you understand the basic steps of the research process. You don’t need to go into precise details here; just give a broad overview to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the process and ready to begin researching as soon as you’re hired.
In my past experience, the first step I usually take is to identify the goal of the experiment and seek out relevant, peer-reviewed sources to study as a structural guide for our experiment.
From there, I consult with the head researcher to work out the exact details and parameters of the experiment, seek any additional funding for our budget, and, if necessary, recruit volunteers.
Once we’re fully prepared to proceed, I assist the head researcher as needed throughout the full course of the experiment and then help to process the results and compile them for publication and presentation.
How would your previous colleagues describe you?
Many research projects are conducted in a team of researchers and assistants, which means you need to demonstrate that you have teamwork skills and get along well with your fellow and former colleagues.
If you’re interviewing for an internal position, be especially cautious and considerate about what you say and how you discuss your coworkers, a supervisor could easily talk to your colleagues and confirm what you say.
Example Answer:
My former coworkers often praised me for being well organized and keeping the team on schedule by jumping in to help if someone was struggling with their workload.
One project, in particular, comes to mind, we had encountered numerous roadblocks ranging from a lack of funds to malfunctioning equipment and being short-staffed when two of the research assistants were involved in an accident and had to be hospitalized.
Despite all of the issues, we still managed to come together and meet our deadline. It was stressful, but we put in after-work hours, divided the extra tasks among the team, and overcame the challenges.
What type of research are you interested in focusing on?
If you have a specific background or interest in a particular field of study, now is a good time to discuss it. And if you’re open to working on a variety of different projects, make that clear. The company is probing to see where your particular skills and interests will be the most useful.
Example Answer:
As a recent graduate, I haven’t defined my specific field of study yet and am interested in broadening my experience and skill set by working on a variety of different projects. I’m excited by the range of opportunities in this position.
I hope to be a part of various research projects and eventually narrow my field of expertise as I discover which types of experiments excite me the most.
Describe a difficult situation and outline the steps you took to resolve the issue.
This question is designed to see what kind of problem-solving skills you have and how well you respond under pressure.
Example Answer:
As the primary assistant on a project that needed additional funding before we could set up trials, I was accompanying the lead researcher to a presentation when he suddenly fell ill from food poisoning. I quickly read through his notes and gave the presentation myself. Despite the unplanned emergency, we did secure the extra funding we needed.
Who has influenced you the most?
While this type of question can have a broad range of answers, try to choose someone relevant to your career path and professional goals.
Example Answer:
My academic advisor took a generous amount of time out of her schedule to tell me about her life experiences and provide one-on-one coaching. Her success story is what inspired me to pursue this career.
I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance and teachings, and I feel a sense of confidence entering the field that I didn’t have when I first started my internship.
How do you plan to seek funding for your research?
If you have any past experience requesting funds, talk about what you’ve done that worked well. If you don’t have experience yet, you should still have basic knowledge about which resources are available, so talk about what you plan to do.
Example Answer:
I have experience submitting grant requests and also giving presentations to boards of directors in the private sector to request funding. These are the two primary methods I usually rely on first.
What measures do you take to minimize errors in your work?
Mistakes happen. We’re all human, right? Some of the greatest scientific discoveries happened by accident. But that’s not something you should be toting in the interview.
Example Answer:
I believe in always double checking my deliverables prior to submitting them. I’m very detail-oriented in everything I do, and I’ve trained myself to tune out unnecessary distractions at work.
Depending on the team’s needs, I’m always happy to be a second pair of eyes if someone would like me to proofread their report so we can collectively present our best work.
How do you manage task distribution in a team setting?
Delegating responsibilities is important in any team environment. This question is a great opportunity to highlight your teamwork and communication skills.
Example Answer:
I’m very comfortable working as part of a team. I’m flexible and ready to assist with any aspect of a project in order to ensure the team stays on task and meets deadlines.
During my last research project, all of the assistants rotated through different responsibilities to make sure we each had plenty of opportunities to gain experience. I would enjoy working in that same type of collaborative atmosphere again.
What do you hope to learn in this position?
Highlight your short-term and long-term goals. What do you hope to bring to the company right now, and what do you hope to bring over the course of several years?
Example Answer:
My long-term career goal is to become a primary researcher and lead my own teams. To achieve that, my short-term goals are to build connections in the field, develop my research skills, and be involved in multiple different types of projects to expand my knowledge.
How would you settle a conflict or disagreement with the lead researcher on a team?
It’s not uncommon for research projects to be high-pressure situations, especially when researchers and assistants have opposing opinions. This type of situational interview question is probing to see if your personality and methods are compatible before you’re hired.
It’s important to remember that you are applying for an assistant position. You are not going to be the project lead, so you need to convey that you aren’t afraid to speak up, but you also know when to back down and yield to a leader’s decision.
Example Answer:
If I were to disagree with the lead researcher, I would calmly state my opinion, focusing on facts instead of emotions. If the head of the project continued to disagree with me after I had presented my evidence, I would submit to him or her, as I am not the one in charge of the project, and I have to respect the leader’s decisions.
Have you been faced with inconclusive results or an overall failed experiment in the past, and if so, how did you handle the situation?
Not every project is going to be a success. When answering this question, try to pick an experience that had a silver lining or an important lesson to learn.
Example Answer:
During my internship, we were studying the potential benefits and risks of a new product, but the data was not conclusive enough for us to confidently present our results.
However, one of the researchers noticed that the methods we’d used would be a better application for a different product that another team in the company was working on. We passed our information along to our colleagues, so although our experiment had ultimately failed, we were able to use it to help another team succeed.
How would you respond to your ethics being challenged during an experiment?
Ethical dilemmas are likely to arise at some point. Carefully consider this question before you even step into the interview room. Where are you comfortable drawing a line when it comes to your ethics? This is going to be a very personal answer based on the conclusion you reach.
Example Answer:
I would make sure I have all the necessary information about the experiment and make a list of pros and cons. If I still have reservations, I would voice my concerns in private to the lead researcher and discuss the nature of my ethical issues to see if there might be a way to make adjustments to the experiment.
If the experiment cannot be altered, I would consult with the lead researcher to examine my options.
What sources would you consult to find research information?
Please don’t say Wikipedia. Remember to stick to credible sources. If you’re familiar with the industry, feel free to cite specific sources that you’ve referenced before, such as university studies. For good measure, try to list at least a few sources to demonstrate that you have more than just one go-to place for research.
Example Answer:
I like to consult a variety of different sources, whether that means spending time in the library reading books, scientific journals, magazines, and newspapers, reading peer-reviewed studies online, sending out surveys, or conducting phone or face-to-face interviews.
I believe networking is a powerful tool that opens doors to experts in different industries, and I like to utilize my network frequently.
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in research methods and techniques?
Staying informed and educated is an important part of being a research assistant. Give the interviewer an example of what you have done in the past to stay informed, or tell them ways that you plan to stay informed.
Example Answer:
I attend regular conferences and workshops that are related to my field. I am also subscribed to some journals and newsletters to help me stay informed in the latest research.
Can you describe your experience with data collection methods such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups?
Your answer should include an example of your experiences with conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Be sure to give enough details that show the interviewer of your experience.
Example Answer:
I have experience with range of data collection methods such as surveys and interviews. In my last role, I was responsible for conducting phone surveys with participants to collect data on their experiences with a specific healthcare service. I also conducted in-person interviews with participants to get a better understanding of their perceptions and attitudes towards the service."
Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is another common interview question to help the interviewer to get an understanding of what your goals and and how they apply to the company.
Example Answer:
In five years, I see myself continuing to develop my skills and knowledge as a researcher. I hope to take on more leadership roles to help me become a project manager or principal investigator. My ultimate goal is to become a respected and influential member of the research community and to help valuable contributions to the research community.
Can you describe your experience with qualitative data analysis methods, such as content analysis or thematic analysis?
How do you approach recruiting research participants and ensuring diversity in the study sample?
Can you describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a research study problem, and how you resolved it?
Can you describe your experience with research protocol compliance and regulatory requirements such as IRB protocols and informed consent processes?
How do you ensure data accuracy and minimize errors during the data entry process?
How do you approach organizing and maintaining research data?
Have you worked with any electronic data capture systems or clinical trials management systems? Can you describe your experience with them?
Can you provide an example of how you have collaborated with other team members, such as principal investigators, other research assistants, or clinicians, to ensure the success of a research project?
Can you describe your experience with literature searches and reviewing research articles for a systematic review or meta-analysis?
Have you worked with any statistical software packages such as SPSS, SAS, or R? If so, can you provide an example of how you used them in a research project?
As you’re preparing for the interview, you can expect common interview questions to come up, such as “How did you hear about this position?” Be ready to answer:
Internship interview questions will focus more on your knowledge and coursework, while an interview for a full-time or part-time job will likely place more emphasis on your past experience.
In addition to preparing for an interviewer to ask you questions, you also need to compile a list of questions to ask the recruiting manager at the end of the interview. Be aware of illegal interview question topics to ensure that you don’t ask a taboo question and also don’t have your rights infringed upon by being expected to answer one yourself. These topics include:
Gender, sex, or sexual orientation
Marital or family status
Citizenship or nationality
Age
Religion
Credit history
Criminal record
Disability
Military discharge