Life science companies in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical technology are having to deal with changes because the government is putting more pressure on them to cut costs and show value. Those who can change their business models to keep costs down and stay in line with regulations will have the best chance of succeeding. And although investor confidence in biotechnology is on the rise, the funding levels are still below pre-recession figures.
The life sciences are growing because the baby boomer generation is getting older, more people can get health care, and more is being done to get people involved in staying healthy and avoiding disease. The R&D process is increasingly becoming a collaboration between life sciences companies and health care providers. Genomics, nanotechnology, and robotics are all making progress because they help doctors diagnose and treat patients better and make personalized plans for improving their health. People with experience in these fields will be in high demand. Wearable tech that tracks a person’s vital signs, digital medicines like smart pills with microchips, and contact lenses that track blood glucose levels are just a few examples of the technological advances that are being made to try and lower the cost of health care.
What have you done to improve your knowledge about advancements in biological sciences in the last year?
Interviewing for a biological technician role? This is your chance to showcase your technical skills and passion for science. With the right preparation, you can ace the interview and land your dream job.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common and critical biological technician interview questions. You’ll get tips from experts on how to craft winning answers that highlight your experience.
Ready to master the interview and launch your career? Let’s get started!
Common Biological Technician Interview Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked interview questions for biological technician roles:
Questions About Your Background and Experience
Hiring managers want to understand your hands-on experience and background in a lab setting. Expect questions like:
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What lab equipment are you familiar with using? Microscopes centrifuges spectrophotometers?
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Describe your experience preparing biological samples for testing Have you worked with tissue or blood samples?
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What sterilization methods have you used in a lab environment? Autoclaving, chemical disinfection etc.?
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Walk me through your process for ensuring quality control and avoiding contamination.
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What were your main responsibilities in previous lab roles? Your day-to-day tasks and contributions.
Technical Questions
You’ll need to showcase your scientific knowledge and technical abilities. Be ready for questions like:
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Explain the principles of biohazardous waste disposal and your experience implementing them.
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Describe your experience with laboratory techniques like PCR, DNA sequencing, cell culturing etc.
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How do you stay updated on the latest advancements in biology and biotechnology?
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What biostatistics or bioinformatics programs are you proficient in using? R, Python, BLAST etc.
Situational and Behavioral Questions
These questions evaluate your problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal abilities:
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How do you handle discrepancies between hypotheses and actual experimental results?
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Tell me about a time you successfully troubleshot issues with a laboratory procedure or equipment.
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Describe a challenging experiment you conducted. How did you overcome obstacles?
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How would you communicate complex technical details from lab experiments to non-scientific colleagues or clients?
Crafting Strong Responses
How can you craft compelling responses to common biological technician interview questions? Follow these tips:
1. Highlight Technical Proficiency
Don’t just state you have experience with something – get specific with examples that demonstrate hands-on abilities.
For instance, with lab equipment, give details like the specialized techniques you performed. With laboratory procedures, provide precise steps you followed.
2. Emphasize Attention to Detail
In a scientific role, accuracy and adherence to protocols are critical. Showcase how you achieve precise results through steps like:
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Careful standardization and calibration of instruments
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Methodical documentation like time-stamped lab notebook entries
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Rigorous quality control processes
3. Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
When talking about challenging experiments or procedural issues, discuss your systematic, logical approach to troubleshooting and overcoming obstacles.
Explain how you critically evaluate experiments to identify areas for improvement. Outline how you implement solutions and prevent issues in the future.
4. Show Passion for Science
Convey genuine excitement when discussing your experience. Share what intrigues you about biology and what drives you to pursue this career path.
Talk about how you stay current with the latest advancements through steps like reading journals, attending conferences, and connecting with peers.
5. Ask Insightful Questions
The interview is a two-way street. Ask thoughtful questions that show your understanding of the role and your interest in the company.
Inquire about opportunities for professional development, training programs, and collaborating with experienced team members. This demonstrates your initiative.
Now that you know what to expect, let’s look at examples of full responses to common biological technician interview questions.
Sample Responses to Common Interview Questions
Here are some sample answers using the proven tips and strategies we just discussed:
Question: What experience do you have with laboratory equipment and procedures?
Sample Response: I have extensive hands-on experience with laboratory equipment including microscopes, mass spectrometers, and thermal cyclers for PCR. I’m fully comfortable using these for procedures like tissue sectioning, DNA fragmentation analysis, and polymerase chain reaction.
I’m meticulous in following standardized protocols. For instance, with PCR, I always carefully calibrate the thermal cycler and prepare master mixes precisely to avoid contamination. I also use lab notebooks to document procedures step-by-step, so I can ensure consistency. Attention to detail with both equipment use and documentation is crucial in my work.
Question: Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge in the lab.
Sample Response: During my undergraduate research, we were studying enzyme activity under different pH conditions. However, our results were inconsistent even after repeating experiments. I decided to troubleshoot systematically. I discovered the pH meter was miscalibrated, throwing off our measurements. After recalibration, our results aligned with expectations.
This experience taught me the importance of thoroughly examining every factor that could influence results. Now I incorporate rigorous quality control and equipment checks into my standard procedures to quickly catch any issues. I also discuss challenges openly with team members to brainstorm solutions together. Facing obstacles like this ultimately makes me a more careful and critical researcher.
Question: How do you stay updated on the latest biology research and technologies?
Sample Response: Staying current is crucial, so I make continuous learning a priority. I read major publications like Nature, Science, and Cell to learn about new discoveries. I also attend webinars through associations like the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Networking with peers at scientific conferences allows me to exchange ideas face-to-face.
Within my company, I participate in journal clubs and technical training on new methods. I believe it’s important not just to learn new information, but to interact with colleagues to discuss how we can apply cutting-edge techniques in our research and development efforts. An environment of continuous learning and collaboration fosters innovation.
Advanced Interview Prep Strategies
Stand out from the competition with these advanced strategies:
Practice explaining complex concepts simply – Use analogies and examples to describe technical details clearly. Being able to communicate complex ideas simply is invaluable.
Review the job description thoroughly – Identify the most important qualifications and focus your responses on showcasing them.
Research the company and interviewers – This allows you to tailor your responses and ask informed questions.
Prepare strong questions to ask – Inquire about opportunities to collaborate, publish research, attend conferences etc.
Practice aloud frequently – Get comfortable articulating answers clearly and concisely. Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself.
Review your resume – Refresh yourself on key accomplishments, quantifiable achievements, numbers, and stats you can cite.
Get a good night’s rest – Being rested will help you be focused, thoughtful, and quick on your feet.
With rigorous preparation and practice, you’ll be ready to impress interviewers and land the ideal biological technician job. We wish you the very best! You’ve got this.
