17 Analytical Scientist Interview Questions and Answers

Analytical scientists play a vital role in research and development, quality control, and manufacturing in a wide range of industries. They use their knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve problems and develop new products and processes.

To become an analytical scientist, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics, or another science-related field. Many analytical scientists also have a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry or a related field.

If you’re looking for an analytical scientist job, you may be asked to interview for the position. During the interview, the hiring manager will ask you a variety of questions to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of the field. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of common analytical scientist interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the principles of chromatography?

Analytical scientists use chromatography to separate and identify compounds in a sample. This process is important for the quality control of products, such as pharmaceuticals or food additives. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using chromatography and how well you understand its principles. In your answer, try to explain what chromatography is and why it’s an important analytical technique.

Example: “Chromatography is a separation method that uses a stationary phase and a mobile phase. It allows me to separate compounds based on their physical properties, including polarity, size and shape. I’ve used chromatography many times during my career because it’s one of the most effective ways to test the purity of a product. For example, when I worked at BioTech Labs, we had to analyze the purity of our supplements. We used HPLC with UV detection to ensure that they contained no contaminants.”

What are the different types of chromatography and which ones do you prefer to use?

Analytical scientists use chromatography to separate and identify compounds. The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience using different types of chromatography and which ones you prefer. In your answer, explain the two main types of chromatography: gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC). Then, give a specific example of when you used each type in your previous job.

Example: “There are two main types of chromatography: gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC). GC is useful for separating volatile compounds while LC is better for non-volatile compounds. I’ve used both types of chromatography in my past role as an analytical scientist. For one project, I needed to analyze volatile compounds from soil samples. So, I used GC to separate these compounds and then analyzed them with mass spectrometry.”

How would you determine the purity of a sample?

This question can help the interviewer assess your analytical skills and ability to apply them in a laboratory setting. Use examples from your experience that show you have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this task successfully.

Example: “In my previous role as an analytical scientist, I was responsible for determining the purity of samples by using chromatography techniques. This process involved separating compounds within a sample based on their solubility and then measuring the amount of each compound present. In one instance, I used this method to determine the purity of a sample of a drug that had been diluted with other substances. After performing several tests, I determined that the purity of the sample was only 50%.”

What is your process for identifying unknown substances?

This question can help the interviewer understand your analytical skills and how you apply them to solve problems. Use examples from past experiences where you used a specific method or process for identifying unknown substances, such as chromatography or mass spectrometry.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with identifying an unknown substance that had been found in a shipment of goods. To identify it, I first analyzed its color, odor and texture. Then, I used gas chromatography to separate the components of the substance so I could analyze each one individually. After analyzing the individual components, I determined that the substance was actually a harmless chemical compound.”

Provide an example of a time you had to perform a risk assessment and what your findings were.

An analytical scientist may need to perform risk assessments on a regular basis. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with performing these types of tasks and can do so effectively. In your answer, explain what steps you took when conducting the assessment and how it helped your team or organization.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with assessing the risks associated with using a new type of chemical in our manufacturing process. To start, I gathered all the information I could about the chemical, including its composition, safety precautions and any other relevant data. Then, I worked with my team to create a list of potential risks that we would face if we used the chemical. After analyzing each risk, I determined that there were no major concerns regarding the use of the chemical.”

If you had to choose one type of analytical science to specialize in, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see if the interviewer wants you to focus on one type of analytical science or if they want you to be well-rounded. If they ask this question, it’s likely that they are looking for someone who can do more than one type of analysis and may not have a specific preference.

Example: “I would specialize in environmental testing because I find it fascinating how humans impact our environment and vice versa. It’s important to understand these interactions so we can make better decisions about how we treat our planet.”

What would you do if you were given a deadline but the lab equipment was not working properly?

Analytical scientists often work with tight deadlines, so employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working in a lab. In your answer, explain how you would prioritize getting the equipment fixed as quickly as possible while still completing your task by the deadline.

Example: “If I was given a deadline but the lab equipment wasn’t working properly, I would first try to fix it myself or get help from my colleagues. If that didn’t work, I would contact my manager and let them know what happened. Then, I would find out when the equipment could be fixed and do everything I could to complete my task before then.”

How well do you work under pressure?

Analytical scientists often work under tight deadlines, so employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working in a fast-paced environment. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are comfortable with high-pressure situations and have experience handling them successfully.

Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure because I’ve done it for most of my career. In my last position, I was responsible for analyzing samples within 24 hours, which meant I had to work long hours sometimes. However, I enjoy being able to solve problems quickly and efficiently, so I always met those deadlines. I think I would be an asset to your team because I know how to manage my time well.”

Do you enjoy working as part of a team or do you prefer to work independently?

Analytical scientists often work in teams to ensure they can complete their projects on time. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and that you have the interpersonal skills necessary for collaboration. In your answer, explain how you feel about teamwork and what makes you a good team member.

Example: “I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues because it allows us to share our ideas and opinions. I find that by listening to other people’s perspectives, we can come up with better solutions than if we worked alone. I am also very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me communicate effectively with my teammates. When someone asks me a question, I always try to provide them with an answer as quickly as possible so we can all get back to work.”

When performing experiments, what is your process for documenting your observations?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to complete it. Your answer should show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to follow a process when working on projects.

Example: “I find it helpful to use a data management system for recording my observations during experiments. I prefer using software programs like Microsoft Access or Filemaker Pro because they allow me to store information in tables and sort by different columns. This allows me to quickly look up specific details about an experiment later if needed. I also keep hard copies of all documents related to each experiment, including lab notebooks and digital files.”

We want to become more environmentally friendly. What would be your suggestions for reducing our carbon footprint?

This question is a great way to show your analytical skills and how you can apply them to the environment. You should answer this question by explaining what steps you would take to reduce carbon emissions, while still maintaining productivity.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint is through recycling. I would suggest implementing a recycling program that separates different types of waste into bins for recycling. This will allow us to recycle more materials than we currently do, which will help us reduce our carbon emissions. Another suggestion I have is to use renewable energy sources like solar power or wind turbines. These are much better for the environment than using fossil fuels.”

Describe your experience with computer programming.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous work experience to describe any computer programming languages you’ve used, such as C++ or Java.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating a database of all our company’s products. To do this, I had to use several different computer programs that helped me organize data into tables and sort information by product type, price range and other factors. I also used computer coding languages like SQL and Python to write scripts that would help me find specific information within the database.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that relates to the job description.

Example: “I have several years of experience in analytical science, but I am always looking for ways to improve my skills. In my last role, I took an online course on data analysis and learned new techniques that helped me solve problems faster. I think these additional skills make me a valuable asset to any team.”

Which industries do you think analytical scientists can make a significant impact in?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the analytical sciences and how you can apply your skills in different industries. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the unique value that analytical scientists bring to their organizations.

Example: “I think analytical scientists can make a significant impact in any industry where data collection and analysis are necessary. In my experience, I’ve worked with many clients who have used our services to improve their business operations. For example, one of my previous clients was a large retailer looking to optimize its supply chain management. We were able to use our expertise to help them reduce costs and increase revenue by implementing new inventory tracking systems.”

What do you think the future of analytical science will look like?

This question can help an interviewer get a sense of your analytical thinking skills and how you might apply them to their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe what you think the future will look like for analytical scientists and also what you hope it looks like.

Example: “I believe that in the future, analytical science will become more accessible to everyone. I’m excited about the idea of having access to lab equipment and testing methods at home or even on our phones. This would allow us to test samples from anywhere and could lead to some interesting discoveries. I hope that as analytical science becomes more accessible, we’ll see more people getting involved with research.”

How often do you perform quality control tests?

Analytical scientists perform quality control tests to ensure the accuracy of their results. Employers ask this question to learn how often you’ve performed these types of tests in your previous roles. Use your answer to highlight your experience with performing quality control tests and discuss any specific projects where you used them.

Example: “In my last role, I performed quality control tests on every project that I worked on. This helped me ensure that all of my data was accurate and reliable. In addition to performing quality control tests regularly, I also ensured that my work area was always clean and organized. This allowed me to find mistakes more quickly when they occurred.”

There is a discrepancy in your data. What is your process for verifying your findings?

This question is an opportunity to show your analytical skills by describing a time when you had to verify data and how you did it. This can be a great way for the interviewer to see that you have experience with this process, which can help them feel more confident in your abilities as an analytical scientist.

Example: “When I find a discrepancy in my data, I first look at all of the factors that could affect the results. For example, if there was a change in temperature or humidity during testing, I would want to make sure those changes were accounted for before moving forward. If they weren’t, then I would need to re-run the test until I got consistent results.”