Introduction

Congrats on securing a PhD interview! I remember feeling excited and nervous when I received my first PhD interview invitation. But with the right preparation, anxiety can be turned into confidence! The idea of a PhD interview may be intimidating, but don’t worry! With the right amount of preparation, it can be a breeze! Here are some common questions asked in a PhD interview and some tips to help you prepare. I have also included example answers I used for my PhD interviews:

1. Preparing for the general PhD interview questions
2. Situational-based PhD interview questions
3. Strengths and Weaknesses:
4. Future plans
5. Is this a particular project for you
6. Are you prepared for challenges during your PhD
7. Are you up to date in your field?
8. Personal Motivations and Goals
9. Be prepared also to ask them questions

1) Preparing for the general PhD interview questions

In every interview, they are most likely going to ask some general questions at the beginning of the interview for example:

• Tell me about yourself

• Why do you want to do a PhD?

Example Answers:

Why do you want to do a PhD?

“I have enjoyed my academic work so far and feel I have much more to offer as an independent researcher. Throughout my educational journey, I feel fulfilled when delving into complex scientific questions and contributing to existing knowledge. While completing my master’s degree, I realised that I have only scratched the surface of what I can achieve as a researcher. I am excited about the prospect of conducting in-depth original research in regenerative medicine, a field that can revolutionise healthcare. I am particularly passionate about neuroscience and envision my PhD as a platform to explore innovative therapeutic applications, advancing our understanding of the regenerative processes in the nervous system.”

Tell me about yourself

• (This is a popular question in any interview. Ensure to only state the things about you that link to the role.)
• Make sure to cover these three things
  • Academic History
  • Research Topics
  • Why you want to do a PhD

Example answer:

“My name is Aku Owusu-Afriyie, and last year I graduated from Imperial College London with an MSc in Translational Neuroscience. During my time here, I undertook a six-month wet lab project on how CD8 T immune cells inhibit axonal regeneration in aged spinal cord injury, we are researching this using in vivo models. This would potentially be a new target for therapeutics. Throughout my master’s programmes, I have learnt various techniques such as flow cytometry, and mouse dissection, I have shadowed mouse surgeries, primary cell culture and immunofluorescence.

I work as an in vivo research assistant at University College London. My responsibilities include conducting in vivo experiments, genotyping, DNA extraction, gene sequencing, PCR, and immunohistochemistry. My research interests include the intersection of regenerative medicine and neurological disorders. One area of research that aligns perfectly with my interests involves harnessing stem cell therapies to promote neural regeneration in conditions like spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative diseases. I see myself having a career in research, and a PhD is the first stepping stone in my achieving my goal.”

2) Situational-based PhD interview questions

As well as general questions, be prepared for situational questions such as:

• Describe a time you worked well in a team.

• Describe a time you faced a challenge. How did you overcome this?

For these types of questions, you should use the STAR technique

• Situation: Provide context in two or three sentences
• Task: Describe the goals you were working towards
• Action: Explain the actions you took, focusing on your contributions  
• Result: Describe the outcome, emphasising your role in achieving it

Example answer:

Describe how you were in a difficult situation. How did you overcome it?

Situation: During my master’s project at Imperial College London, I undertook a six-month wet lab project on Spinal Cord Injury. This involved researching whether targeting CD8 T cells could be used to promote axonal regeneration in older individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. I faced some significant challenges when I realised, I would not be able to get my home office license in time and this project involved a lot of in vivo work.

Task: I was tasked to complete comprehensive research in six months to write a 12000-word thesis

Action: To overcome this obstacle, I first conducted an extensive literature review to identify suitable cell culture models and protocols that could mimic the in vivo environment. Then, I planned a set of in vitro cell culture experiments to enrich my thesis. I first reached out to my potential supervisor to discuss other alternate experiments. I researched different protocols to ensure the optimisation of the cell culture experiment will be quick.

Result: This enabled me to gain even more lab skills and improve my planning skills. This also enriched my thesis results, where I received a distinction. These findings also contributed to a broader understanding of potential therapy targets for Spinal Cord Injury.

Tips on effectively using the STAR Technique

• Be clear and concise: Avoid any unnecessary details. Focus on aspects that highlight your skills and achievements
• Tailor your answers: Customise your examples to align with the PhD program you are applying for
• Prepare multiple examples: Have a few different scenarios prepared to ensure a well-rounded view of your experience and abilities
• Quantify your achievements: Include a quantifiable result in the ‘results’ part of your answer. This can make you accomplish more concrete and impressive

3) Strengths and Weaknesses:

Common PhD interview questions are about strengths and weaknesses. When mentioning your strengths, provide solid examples from previous experiences and show how they relate to the PhD project. When it comes to weaknesses, it is important to maintain balance. Always remember to state how you are actively working to improve your weaknesses.

Example answers:

Strengths:

“I feel that one of my greatest strengths is my ability to adapt. During my time as a master’s student and research assistant, experiments did not always go to plan. This led me to alter my timetable and work around other people in the lab. For example, when I was unable to complete the in vivo work in my master’s degree because I was not able to get a home office license in time, I planned a range of in vitro experiments which gave me valuable data for my thesis. My capability to adapt will greatly help me throughout my PhD, as things do not always go as planned in research.”

Weaknesses:

“A weakness I had was public speaking, I used to feel nervous and less confident in large audiences. However, I recognised this weakness early on and have actively worked to improve it. To address this, I participated in public speaking workshops at ICL, which helped me develop effective communication and presentation skills. Also, during my master’s degree, many of my assessments were presentations, and I did receive good grades. Even though I still may get nervous before a presentation, I have used the resources available to me to improve my skills.  I feel like this has greatly improved my ability to give presentations in front of an audience.”

4) Future plans

Universities want to ensure you are doing a PhD for the right reasons. They may ask you about your future plans:

• What do you want to do after your PhD?
• How will a PhD benefit your future career?
• Where do you see yourself in ten years?

But do not worry! You don’t have to have everything figured out, but a rough idea of how your PhD will help your plans will be beneficial. Here is an example question and answer:

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”

In 10 years, I see myself as a leading researcher in regenerative medicine. I aim to contribute significantly by developing transformative therapies for neurological disorders. My goal is to advance stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, developing innovative approaches that not only slow disease progression but also promote neural regeneration. I aim to bridge the gap between academic research and the development of innovative therapies. I want to contribute significantly to the field. My goal is to transform lives.

5) Is this a particular project for you

In science, it is common for individuals to apply for a pre-defined project. By the time of the interview, you should know the project inside out. The interviewers want to know why you are interested in their project. They hope you do not choose it solely because you want a PhD. Here are some common questions:

• What interests you about this project?

• Why do you want to research this area?

As every project is different, here is an example outline you can use to prepare your answer:

What interests you about this project?

“I am particularly drawn to this project because it aligns perfectly with my research interests and career goals. The focus on [specific research area or project focus] is an area I am deeply passionate about. During my master’s program, I developed a strong foundation in [related field or techniques], and I am eager to apply and further develop these skills in your lab. Additionally, the innovative approach of your project, specifically [mention any unique methods or goals of the project], excites me. I believe that my background in [relevant experience or skills] positions me well to contribute meaningfully to this research. Ultimately, I am enthusiastic about the potential impact of this project on [mention potential real-world applications or advancements in the field] and am committed to contributing to its success.”

6) Are you prepared for challenges during your PhD

Student often struggle with answering PhD interview questions regarding whether they are expecting challenges during their PhD.

Questions include:

What difficulties do you think you will face during your PhD?

What is the biggest challenge you are expecting during your PhD?

These questions aim to see which students have thought about the project. By identifying potential difficulties, the interviewer will see that you have given serious thought to the project. When answering this question, follow up with how you will address each potential difficulty.

Example Answer:

What difficulties do you think you will face during your PhD?

“One potential difficulty I anticipate is the challenge of time management, particularly balancing lab work with writing and other academic responsibilities. To address this, I plan to employ effective time management strategies, such as setting clear, achievable goals and deadlines, and using project management tools to stay organised. Additionally, I intend to maintain open communication with my supervisors and peers to ensure I stay on track and receive support when needed. Another challenge could be dealing with experimental setbacks or negative results. To mitigate this, I aim to cultivate resilience and a problem-solving mindset, viewing setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Regularly reviewing and adjusting my experimental approaches will also help me stay adaptable and efficient in my research.”

7) Are you up to date in your field?

Science is an ever-adapting field, with discoveries being made every day. It is important to stay informed about everything going on in your field to showcase your knowledge in your interview! Here is an example answer:

How do you stay updated with the latest developments in your field?

“I aim to set aside time each week for reading the latest publications in the field, as it I easy to get carried away with just doing experiments. I will attend all seminars and workshops on the relevant topics. I will also stay updated with the research happening in my current lab by talking to the current supervisors and other lab members.”

They may also ask you about any recent research in the news about your area of interest. So, make sure you are up to date on this!

8) Personal Motivations and Goals

You must be doing a PhD for the right reasons! You can view my blog post on whether a PhD is right for you here! In interviews, the interviewers would want to know your motivations behind doing a PhD. They may ask you something along the lines of:

• What inspired you to pursue a research career?

• What do you hope to achieve by the end of your PhD?

Example answer:

What inspired you to pursue a research career?

“My inspiration to pursue a career in research stems from a combination of my academic experiences and personal motivations. During my undergraduate studies in Biochemistry, I developed a deep fascination with the complexity of cellular processes and the potential for scientific discovery to drive medical advancements. Moreover, my master’s program in Translational Neuroscience further solidified my interest. I engaged in hands-on research while witnessing the dedication and curiosity of the researchers in my lab. A career in research will allow me to continuously learn and contribute to improving human health. The prospect of finding novel insights and making a difference in people’s lives motivates me to pursue a research career.”

9) Be prepared also to ask them questions

After your PhD interview, the panel will ask you if you have any questions. This situation goes without saying. Never say no to this question. Asking specific questions can show your eagerness and commitment to the PhD program. Here are some questions you can ask:

What opportunities are there for collaboration with other departments or institutions?

What kind of support does the university provide for professional development?

How is the research group structured and how often do you have group meetings?

What are the expectations for publishing during the PhD?

Conclusions

Preparing PhD interview questions answers may be challenging, but with the right preparation, you can approach it with confidence. Always remember to stay calm. It is not a test. The interviewers just want to know if you are a good fit for the lab! Remember to highlight your experiences, stay informed about your field and demonstrate genuine interest and commitment. Good Luck with your interview!