17 Molecular Biologist Interview Questions and Answers

Molecular biologists conduct research on the complex chemical systems that make up living cells. They use their findings to develop new ways to diagnose and treat diseases. Molecular biologists typically work in laboratories, where they use sophisticated equipment to conduct experiments and analyze data.

If you’re interested in becoming a molecular biologist, you’ll need to have a strong foundation in chemistry and biology. You’ll also need to be able to think critically and solve complex problems. During a molecular biologist interview, you’ll be asked questions that assess your knowledge of the field, as well as your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample molecular biologist interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working in a lab environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you are comfortable working in a lab environment. This is because molecular biologists spend most of their time in the lab conducting experiments and analyzing data. A good answer to this question shows that you understand what it’s like to work in a lab and that you’re willing to do so.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a lab environment, as I have been doing so for the past five years. In my previous position, I was responsible for running all aspects of the lab including ordering supplies, maintaining equipment and ensuring safety protocols were followed. I also performed many different types of experiments and tests on samples.”

What are some of the most important skills for a molecular biologist?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills needed for a successful career in molecular biology. When answering, think about which skills you feel are most important and why. You can also mention any other skills that you have that may be beneficial to your role as a molecular biologist.

Example: “I believe some of the most important skills for a molecular biologist are problem-solving, critical thinking and communication. These skills help me solve complex problems and understand data. I am always communicating with my team members and clients to discuss our findings and progress on projects. Critical thinking is also very important because it helps me analyze data and find solutions to issues.”

How do you stay up-to-date on the latest research in your field?

Employers ask this question to see if you are passionate about your work and how you stay informed. They want to know that you have a desire to learn more about the field, which shows them that you’re committed to your career. When answering this question, explain what resources you use to keep up with current research. If you have any publications or journals you read regularly, mention those as well.

Example: “I am passionate about my work, so I try to read at least one new article every day. I also subscribe to several scientific journals and newsletters that provide me with valuable information on recent discoveries in molecular biology. I find these resources very helpful because they allow me to learn about new techniques and technologies before anyone else.”

What is your experience with using computers in the lab?

Computers are an essential tool for molecular biologists, and the interviewer may want to know how you use them in your work. Use examples from your experience to show that you can navigate computer programs and apply their functions to your job.

Example: “I have used computers extensively throughout my career as a molecular biologist. I first learned about using computers in school when I took courses on programming languages like Java and C++. In my last position, I was responsible for creating databases of genetic information and organizing it into tables. I also used computers to analyze data and create graphs and charts.”

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

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your previous work experience to show that you are a problem-solver who is willing to take on new challenges.

Example: “At my last job, I was working with a team of other molecular biologists to create a new type of medicine for cancer patients. One day, we were testing our medicine on mice when one of the experiments didn’t turn out as expected. The experiment involved injecting the mice with the medicine, but some of them died before they could be injected. We had to figure out why this happened so we could fix it and continue testing the medicine. After troubleshooting, we realized that the medicine needed more time to dissolve in order to be safe for injection.”

If hired, what area of molecular biology would you like to focus on?

This question helps employers determine what your interests are and how you might fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of molecular biology that is interesting to you and why.

Example: “I would love to work in a research lab where I could focus on genetic sequencing. This technology has the potential to help so many people by identifying diseases at earlier stages. It’s exciting to think about all the ways we can use this information to improve health care. In my last role, I worked with a team who was developing new methods for sequencing DNA. We were able to develop a more efficient way to sequence large amounts of data.”

What would you do if you noticed an error in another researcher’s work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and whether you are willing to speak up when necessary. Your answer should show that you value accuracy, teamwork and honesty.

Example: “If I noticed an error in another researcher’s work, I would first try to discuss it with them privately. If they were unresponsive or the mistake was significant enough to warrant a change in my own research, I would bring it to the attention of my supervisor so we could address it as a team. I believe that being honest about errors is important because it shows respect for your colleagues and helps ensure that everyone has accurate information.”

How well do you communicate your findings in writing?

Writing is an important skill for a molecular biologist because you must be able to clearly communicate your findings in reports and other documents. An interviewer may ask this question to assess your writing skills and determine whether you can effectively write reports that include the necessary information. In your answer, try to show that you are confident about your writing abilities by providing examples of how you have written technical documents in the past.

Example: “I am very comfortable with writing as part of my job. I’ve been responsible for writing many reports throughout my career, including monthly progress reports on our current projects and annual summaries of our research. These reports were always well-received by my supervisors, so I know I can write clear and concise documents that provide all the relevant information.”

Do you have experience presenting your research at conferences or other events?

This question can help interviewers learn about your communication skills and how you present yourself in front of a crowd. Use examples from previous experiences to highlight your presentation skills, public speaking abilities and confidence when presenting information to others.

Example: “I have presented my research at several conferences over the past few years. I find that it’s important to share what I’ve learned with other molecular biologists so we can all benefit from each other’s work. In one instance, I was able to explain how our team discovered a new gene mutation that could lead to cancer treatments in the future. The audience seemed very interested in my findings, and many people approached me after the conference to ask questions or discuss their own projects.”

When is it appropriate to seek outside help with your research?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of independence and initiative. It’s important to show that you’re willing to ask for assistance when needed, but also that you have the ability to conduct independent research.

Example: “I believe it is always appropriate to seek outside help with research because no one person has all the answers. I would only hesitate if I was confident in my own abilities to solve a problem or answer a question. However, if I wasn’t sure how to proceed, I would immediately reach out to someone who could provide me with guidance. In my last position, I had an issue with a project where I didn’t know what to do next. I asked my supervisor for advice, and she helped me find resources and information that allowed me to complete the project.”

We want to expand our research into new areas. What areas of research would you like to focus on if you were hired?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your interests and goals as a molecular biologist. You can use this opportunity to show that you have an interest in research, but also that you are willing to take on new challenges. Try to think about what areas of biology or medicine you would like to explore more deeply.

Example: “I am very interested in researching how we can better treat cancer patients. I feel there is still so much we don’t know about the human body and its ability to fight disease. If I were hired here, I would love to work with other researchers to find ways to improve treatment for cancer patients.”

Describe your process for organizing and storing samples in the lab.

This question can help interviewers understand how you manage your work and organize samples. Use examples from past experience to describe the process of organizing samples, labeling them and storing them in a safe place.

Example: “I use color-coded labels for each sample I store in the lab. This helps me keep track of which samples are stored where and makes it easy to find specific samples when needed. For example, if I need to test a certain blood sample for an infection, I know exactly where that sample is located and can retrieve it quickly. I also make sure to label all samples with the date they were collected so I can monitor their progress over time.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you are a good fit for the role. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly read through the job description so that you can refer to specific requirements when answering this question. In your answer, try to highlight skills or experiences from your resume that match what the employer is looking for in their ideal candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about science and I have been working toward my Ph.D. in molecular biology for five years now. Throughout my education, I have developed many of the skills necessary to succeed in this position, including problem-solving, critical thinking and communication. My research experience has also given me valuable insight into the field of genetics and how it relates to medicine.”

Which computer programs or software have you used most frequently in the lab?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your computer skills and how you use them in your work. You can answer this question by naming the programs or software that you have used most often, along with what you did with each one.

Example: “I’ve worked mostly with Microsoft Excel for my data analysis and Microsoft Access for managing databases. I also use LabView to program instruments and analyze results. These are the three main programs I’ve used in my previous lab.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of lab safety?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your awareness of safety protocols and procedures in the lab. They want to make sure you understand how important it is to follow these protocols, especially when working with dangerous chemicals or pathogens. In your answer, explain why you think safety is so important and what steps you take to ensure that you’re always following proper safety measures.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of lab safety is making sure everyone follows all safety protocols at all times. It’s crucial that we never let our guard down because even small mistakes can lead to serious consequences. I also think it’s important to have a strong understanding of the equipment we use in the lab. For example, if something were to go wrong with an autoclave, I would need to know exactly how to fix it before anyone got hurt.”

How often do you perform quality checks on your experiments?

This question can help interviewers understand how you ensure the accuracy of your work. You can answer this question by describing a specific time when you performed quality checks on an experiment and what steps you took to make sure it was accurate.

Example: “I perform quality checks throughout my experiments, but I usually do one final check at the end of each week. This helps me confirm that all of my data is correct and gives me a chance to make any necessary adjustments before submitting my report. In my last role, I found that performing weekly quality checks helped me catch mistakes early so they were easier to fix.”

There is a discrepancy in another researcher’s work. How would you address the issue with them?

This question can help the interviewer assess your communication skills and ability to work with others. Use examples from past experiences where you had to collaborate with other researchers or scientists on a project.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a research project that required me to use another researcher’s data for one of my experiments. When I ran the experiment, I noticed there were some discrepancies in their data. Rather than just sending them an email about it, I called them up and asked if we could meet so I could explain what happened. They were very understanding and explained why they made those changes to their data. We then worked together to find a solution to fix the issue.”