Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Interview Questions
& Process

I reached out directly to people on the Feinstein High School Internship list, and one of them agreed to chat. I didn't go through the official process since I got hired by the individual researcher already (but you should do the formal steps if you want the stipend!).

Applied via their website and had a phone call within 3 weeks. The overall process was pleasant and professional. They've been recruiting for this position for a year to build a cancer center, focusing on all aspects of cancer epidemiology, including behavioral factors. This was appealing as it offered the chance to establish a research area from scratch. I have extensive experience in behavioral epidemiology (25+ years), with a strong publication record (100+), numerous grant awards (12), and affiliations with a top research institute, holding multiple doctoral degrees (MD, biostat PhD, epidemiol DrSc). The interview was with a principal epidemiologist with a focus on molecular epidemiology, lacking expertise in behavioral aspects. The institution also has limited staff in behavioral sciences, and those available were not involved in the interview. While the interview itself went well, the decision was based on my lack of transferable grants, which is understandable given the institution's gap in behavioral sciences.

I had an initial chat with HR about a role that ultimately wasn't the best fit, but I decided to proceed with the interview. While everyone was pleasant, it seemed like they already had a preferred candidate and were just fulfilling an interview quota. I got feedback the following day. This isn't uncommon, unfortunately.

I had one phone call interview with the lab manager, and then a zoom call with the whole lab staff and the principal investigator. The zoom call was more for me to get information, but the phone call was where I had to talk about myself.