17 Biomedical Scientist Interview Questions and Answers

From diagnosing and treating illnesses to conducting research on the latest treatments, biomedical scientists are responsible for helping to improve human health. This important work requires a combination of scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills, which you’ll need to be able to demonstrate in a job interview.

To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some common biomedical scientist interview questions and answers. You’ll find questions on a variety of topics, including your experience in the field, your research interests, and your ability to work as part of a team. Review these questions and answers, and then practice your responses so you can feel confident when you walk into your interview.

Are you comfortable working with animals in your research?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with animals in a laboratory setting. If you do, they may want to know how comfortable you are handling them and ensuring their safety. Use your answer to explain that you understand the importance of treating animals well and maintaining their health while conducting research.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with animals in my research because I understand the importance of providing them with a safe environment and making sure they’re healthy at all times. In my last role, I worked on a team that studied animal behavior, so I was responsible for feeding and caring for the animals we used in our experiments. I also helped maintain their living spaces by cleaning cages and checking up on them regularly.”

What are some of the most important skills for a biomedical scientist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “I believe that communication and problem-solving skills are two of the most important skills for biomedical scientists to have. In my previous position as a research scientist, I was often tasked with communicating my findings to other members of my team and upper management. This helped me develop my public speaking skills and learn how to effectively communicate complex information. Problem-solving skills are also essential because there are always new challenges to overcome when working in this field.”

How do you conduct an experiment?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the scientific process. Use examples from previous experiments to explain how you plan, conduct and analyze data.

Example: “I first identify a problem that needs solving or an unknown I want to discover. Then, I create a hypothesis based on my research and observations. Next, I design an experiment using controls and variables to ensure accurate results. During the experiment, I monitor the conditions and record all data. After the experiment is complete, I review the data and compare it to my hypothesis. If the results are different than what I expected, I repeat the experiment until I get the correct results.”

What is the most important piece of lab equipment you use in your work?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the tools you use in your work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific piece of equipment and describe how it helps you complete tasks.

Example: “The most important lab tool I use is my microscope because it allows me to examine samples at different magnifications. This allows me to see details that may not be visible with the naked eye, which can help me make more accurate conclusions about my research. In fact, I have been using this same microscope for over five years now, so I am very familiar with its operation.”

Provide an example of a time you had to troubleshoot an experiment that wasn’t working as expected.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue and how you were able to fix it.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on an experiment that involved testing different types of medications for their effectiveness in treating certain diseases. One day, we noticed that one of our samples wasn’t reacting as expected. We had to troubleshoot the issue by running several tests to ensure there weren’t any other issues with the sample. After doing so, we realized that the medication we used to treat the disease was expired. Once we replaced the medication, the results returned to normal.”

If your research produced a negative result, how would you handle that?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you respond to failure. They want to know that you can take responsibility for your actions and learn from them. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure a similar mistake doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If my research produced a negative result, I would first try to understand why the results were different than expected. If it was due to an error in my methods or calculations, I would make sure to correct those mistakes before conducting future experiments. If there was no way to avoid the negative result, I would use it as valuable information moving forward.”

What would you do if you suspected one of your samples had become contaminated?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to recognize and respond to potential problems in the lab. In your answer, describe a time when you encountered contamination or another problem with samples and how you handled it.

Example: “In my last role as a biomedical scientist, I noticed that one of our samples had become contaminated. We immediately stopped all testing on this sample and began working to determine what caused the contamination. After examining the equipment we used to collect the sample, we determined that the cause was human error. We retrained the staff member who collected the sample and then resumed testing.”

How well do you understand the ethical guidelines for conducting biomedical research?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the ethical standards that apply to biomedical research. Ethical guidelines help ensure that researchers conduct their work in a safe and responsible manner, so it’s important for an employer to know you can follow these protocols. In your answer, try to show that you understand the importance of adhering to ethical standards when conducting research.

Example: “I believe that ethical guidelines are essential for ensuring that we conduct our research in a safe and responsible manner. I have always taken care to make sure my experiments adhere to all relevant regulations and ethical standards. For example, I would never use human subjects as test subjects without getting proper consent from them or their guardians.”

Do you have any experience writing scientific papers or presenting your research findings?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with writing and presenting scientific papers. If you have any previous experience, share it with the interviewer to show that you are comfortable doing so.

Example: “I’ve presented my research findings at several conferences in the past. I find public speaking to be a great way to communicate my findings to other scientists and medical professionals. In fact, I enjoy sharing my work because it helps me remember all of the details of my experiments. My presentations have helped me receive multiple awards for my research.”

When is it appropriate to start human trials for a new treatment?

This question can help interviewers assess your knowledge of the process for testing new treatments and how you would apply that knowledge to their organization. Use examples from your experience to explain what factors influence when human trials begin, including any regulatory requirements or ethical considerations.

Example: “Human trials should only start after a treatment has been tested on animals and in vitro models. I have worked with several pharmaceutical companies where we had to wait months or even years before starting human trials because animal tests were inconclusive or there was no existing data to support our findings. In those cases, it’s important to be patient while waiting for results so that we can ensure the safety of patients who participate in the trial.”

We want to expand our research to include other areas of the body. What areas would you want to explore?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your interests and how you might fit into their organization. Your answer should include some specific areas that interest you, but also show that you are willing to explore new topics if needed.

Example: “I would love to continue exploring the effects of drugs on the brain. I find this area particularly interesting because it’s so complex and there is still so much we don’t know about the human brain. However, I am open to researching other areas as well. For example, I have always been interested in studying the effects of aging on the body.”

Describe your process for documenting your experiments and results.

This question can help interviewers understand how you organize your work and the steps you take to ensure accuracy. Describe a time when you used documentation to solve a problem or improve an experiment, if applicable.

Example: “I use Microsoft OneNote for all of my experiments because it allows me to create separate notebooks for each project I’m working on. Within each notebook, I create separate pages for each step of the process, including sample collection, data entry and analysis. This helps me keep track of which samples I’ve already analyzed and ensures that I don’t enter duplicate information into the system. It also makes it easy to find specific information later.”

What makes you qualified for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and qualifications. Before you go to the interview, make a list of all of your relevant experience. Highlight any skills or education that makes you a good fit for the position.

Example: “I have five years of experience working as a biomedical scientist in a research lab. During my time here, I’ve gained valuable knowledge about how to work with different types of equipment and chemicals. I also understand the importance of following safety protocols when handling these materials. My previous job required me to perform many complex experiments, which helped me develop my problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for this role because they allow me to find solutions to challenging problems.”

Which computer programs or software have you used for data analysis?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your computer skills and how you apply them in the workplace. If you have experience using specific programs, name those that you’re familiar with. If you haven’t used any before, consider mentioning a program you’d like to learn or one you think would be useful for your role as a biomedical scientist.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different software programs during my career. I’m most comfortable with Microsoft Excel because it’s easy to use and has many functions that help me analyze data. I also know how to use SPSS, which is another popular program for analyzing large amounts of data.”

What do you think is the most important area of biomedical science to research right now?

This question can help an interviewer get a sense of your passion for the field and how you might fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that is currently in the news or something that you have been reading about recently.

Example: “I think one of the most important areas of biomedical science right now is finding new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. My grandmother has suffered from this disease for many years, so I’ve followed research on this topic closely. There are some promising studies coming out that show certain foods may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. I would love to work at a company where we could develop products based on these findings.”

How often do you update your personal research notebook?

This question can help interviewers understand your research skills and how you apply them to your work. Use examples from your past experience to explain the importance of keeping a notebook and how often you update it.

Example: “I keep my personal notebook updated every time I learn something new or find an interesting article that relates to my current projects. In my last role, I would update my notes at least once per week with any information that could be useful for my team. This helped me stay organized and prepared for meetings where we discussed our progress on various projects.”

There is a conflict between two members of your research team. How do you handle it?

This question can help an interviewer assess your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from past experiences to show how you resolve conflicts and maintain a positive work environment.

Example: “In my last position, two members of the research team disagreed about which method was best for testing a certain drug. One scientist wanted to use one method while the other preferred another. I met with both scientists separately to understand their reasoning behind each method. After hearing both sides, I decided that the first scientist’s method would be most effective in determining whether or not the drug worked as intended. I explained my decision to the second scientist, who understood my choice and agreed to follow my lead.”