UC San Francisco Research Associate Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 37 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at UC San Francisco.
UC San Francisco
Research Associate
Mid Easy Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
I applied online and then got a call from HR about a week later, although I already knew about the position through a contact. They asked for my availability and scheduled an interview for later that week. When I got there, I met some people from the lab and they showed me around campus. Then I had another interview with the PI of the lab. I got the job offer a few days after that.
Confirmed questions4 questions
- Can you describe your past experience in a lab setting?
- What are your long-term career aspirations?
- What attracts you to our lab?
UC San Francisco
Research Associate
Staff Easy Positive experience No offer 1 round
Interview process
Technical screen Onsite Background check
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
This was an interview with the whole lab and lasted about 4 hours. Everyone was really nice and they wanted to know about my experience to see how it matched the job. They also tested my basic lab skills, like pipetting and doing dilutions. The in-person part of the interview was great, I enjoyed meeting the team. Even though I got pretty far, after four months I still hadn't heard back from HR about whether I got the job. I only found out I didn't get it when I checked the original job posting and saw they weren't taking new applications anymore.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- What is your motivation for seeking employment in this specific lab?
- How does your previous experience align with the requirements of this role?
- Demonstrate your proficiency in fundamental laboratory techniques, including pipetting and preparing dilutions.
UC San Francisco
Research Associate
Entry Average Neutral experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Presentation
They took me on a tour of the lab and I got to meet everyone on the team. They asked me about my career goals and what I see myself doing in the coming years. They seem genuinely invested in your career path and prefer candidates who plan to stay for 2-3 years.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- What are your aspirations for your career?
- What are your interests as far as your career goes?
- What do you plan to do in the next few years?
UC San Francisco Research Associate Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from UC San Francisco interview reports.
“The company wants to avoid hiring pre-meds who might leave quickly, right?”
Read reports →“What would you do if a machine starts making noise?”
Read reports →“Could you explain how you identify a cancerous tumor and how you determine if a drug is suitable for treating it?”
Read reports →“How long do you see yourself staying here?”
Read reports →“Given that many pre-meds take this job to boost their resumes, are you aware of this trend?”
Read report →“Could you rework a draft survey protocol for field application?”
Read report →“Are you okay with working a few hours every weekend?”
Read report →“What are your reasons for seeking a Research Associate role rather than continuing to graduate school?”
Read report →“What do you plan to do in the next few years?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 37 UC San Francisco interview reports.