CNRS Researcher Interview Questions
& Process

I was contacted quickly by email for a video call interview (about 1 hour long) during which I was invited to come to Toulouse for a second onsite interview with other team members (about 1.5 hours long).

After applying online, I was contacted directly by the Principal Investigator. We had focused discussions about the project, and HR was not involved in the selection part. HR was only involved for the administrative aspects.

The initial contact was professional, via email and then phone with the hiring professor. I was then invited for an on-site interview and an administrator contacted me to arrange it. She mentioned booking my accommodation because this lab uses a contractor for such things. Okay. Within five minutes of landing, I got a text from her (not a missed call, but real-time) with directions on how to take the subway, as if she was tracking my flight. Creepy. While on the subway, I got another text saying she forgot to book my room at the lab's studios and it was too late now since it was past 5 PM, offering to host me at her place. I was livid and told her I needed a hotel. Once at the lab, I insisted she book me a hotel room, and she came up with tons of silly excuses not to. I convinced her to do it though. To seem calm, I said 'I need to work on my presentation in peace,' and she had the nerve to tell me my presentation wasn't important! Then the professor walks in and asks her, 'What's the problem, she doesn't want to stay with you?' I desperately wanted a job though, so I stupidly accepted after this nightmare interview. It was an accurate preview of how the work would be here. For the on-site interview itself, I gave a presentation of my research and met several people for deep discussions. That part was professional. Except for the preparation of my presentation: the secretary opened my laptop(!) and was in the audience when I gave it – very disturbing.