University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Research Associate Interview Questions & Reviews

Interviewed Apr 2008 in Minneapolis, MN (took a day)

I submitted my resume and research summary to the contact info by email and since my qualifications are very closely matched to the job qualifications, I got an email from the professor asking some questions about my time line, general questions about my previous experiences, etc and what would be a good time for me to visit the campus and interview.

They asked me to buy the plane ticket and I got instructions on accommodations and the schedule for the day of the interview.

The day before the interview, the professor came to the hotel and took me to dinner. We chatted mostly about the potential project and about the city.

The day of the interview, I presented my work in front of the research group. They asked questions related to the talk. Then it was one-on-one talk with the Prof followed by lunch. Then I got a tour of the facilities by the staff and a tour of the lab by the students. It takes awhile to go from building to building since the U is big. At the end of the day, I met the Prof again in her office, and basically was told that I will be offered the job, but no specifics. A week later, I got the offer and since I like the research facilities, I took the job.