Interview question for Dr. Gandhi: Why M. D. Anderson? Dr. Gandhi answers: I think the main thing I was looking for — Specially selecting M. D. Anderson instead of choosing a lab that would do research on patients. That really meets the goal if you want to do some basic science and then translate it into the clinic, so that you feel like the work you do in research or science has a clinical application for patients and that you are making a difference.
Dr. Gandhi answers: When I was looking for a postdoctoral position—especially the lab where I would be doing my research—I was mostly looking for a mentor—someone who was enthusiastic and focused on research. I asked him what kind of work he was doing—was it clinically applicable research—that’s what I asked—was it translational research or not? That was the main thing I looked at. The other thing I thought about was what opportunities were there for me to advance my career here if I liked the place, the people, and the institution? Those were the main things I thought about when I was considering applying for a postdoctoral position.
Dr. Gandhi answers: So, actually for new or potential postdoctoral fellows — if they are thinking of joining M. D. Anderson — what are the advantages? The advantages — first, there are very limited institutes like M. D. Anderson, where you can do translational research. So, translational research is the basic research that eventually gets translated into clinic. Some people call it bench to bedside and back to bed. That opportunity is rare — and rare even in that country like United States. It’s only very limited institutes where you can do that. And the reason is that other places don’t have the materials for patients that we do. So that would be the first thing that I would think about. The other is — the opportunity for collaboration. M. D. Anderson is a big institute. It’s possible to do translational research because there are so many research faculty and clinical faculty—nearly 1,000 of them. There is also a match between the clinical faculty and basic science faculty. The other is the Postdoctoral Association. There is a great group at our institute, and there are a lot of them—nearly 400 postdoctoral fellows at M D. Anderson and they really provide an environment — postdoctoral environment so that you talk with other postdocs. It also provides diversity both in culture and also in research. People will feel right at home from the very first day, no matter what country or state they are from in the United States. This is because they will meet other postdoctoral fellows who are in similar situations, so you really do feel like you are at home and not away from home. Which is very important when you are in a brand new environment. So those are the advantage. The other is Houston itself. It’s really the fourth metropolitan city in the United States. If you like shopping, going to cultural events, going to Rice University, or going to other sports events, this area has a lot to offer. Everything is available within the city, so you have a metropolitan area when you at M. D. Anderson. So those are, I think, the advantages of being at this institute.
Dr. What would I tell someone looking for a postdoctoral position? First, I would tell them that graduate students often think that the research they are doing as graduate students is similar to the research they are looking for when they look for a postdoctoral position. And I’ll say — don’t worry about that. If you like how your new or potential mentor is focused on research, then go for it. Research isn’t just studying one area; it’s learning about a lot of different areas. So, it would be helpful if you go into a new environment, new lab, and new research focus.
Dr. Gandhi answers: The other thing regarding being at M. D. Anderson, is that you will be able to work with and talk about your research with a lot of other postdoctoral fellows. As I already said, I built my whole career here, from being a postdoctoral fellow to a professor. I’m now the chair of the Postdoctoral Association, which I like. And that’s where I learned about the different kinds of postdoctoral fellows we have, whether they are in their first year, their last year, or they are moving on to become instructors, which is the faculty position at M. D. Even if they are looking for work at another institute, Anderson says that the mentorship here is great, and that helps postdocs build their careers and move up in the field.
©2007 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 1-800-392-1611 (USA) / 1-713-792-6161.
Landing a postdoctoral fellowship at the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center can greatly accelerate your career as a cancer researcher. However, you’ll need to thoroughly prepare to stand out in their rigorous interview process.
This comprehensive guide covers the top 25 most frequently asked MD Anderson postdoc interview questions along with sample answers to nail your interview and join one of the top cancer centers in the nation,
Whether you’re interviewing for a clinical or lab-based postdoc position, use these tips and examples to demonstrate your scientific expertise research capabilities, and passion for the role.
1. Why are you interested in a postdoctoral fellowship at MD Anderson?
Highlight your passion for cancer research and how MD Anderson specifically aligns with your values and goals for making lifesaving scientific breakthroughs. Share how you’re inspired by their culture of collaboration and innovation. Express enthusiasm for growth under brilliant mentors.
2. What cancer research experience do you have?
Discuss your graduate work, publications, lab techniques, clinical exposure, and other relevant experience. Emphasize unique skills and how they’ve prepared you for an impactful postdoc at MD Anderson. Share any cancer-specific projects or specialized techniques.
3. Why do you want to pursue a postdoc versus joining industry?
Explain your motivation to take your research to the next level before transitioning to a faculty or industry role. Share your appetite for tackling complex questions, developing new expertise through specialized training, and publishing high-impact studies. Convey your commitment to the postdoc.
4. How do you stay current on developments in oncology research?
Demonstrate passion for the field by discussing habits like regularly reading top journals like Cancer Cell, attending conferences, setting Google Scholar alerts, networking with colleagues, and taking relevant coursework. Convey excitement for constantly learning.
5. How would you handle a conflict with your PI regarding a project?
Acknowledge possible disagreements and highlight your conflict management approach of active listening, finding compromises, and keeping an open mind to reach resolutions while still driving projects forward. Emphasize shared goals.
6. What research skills do you hope to develop during your postdoc?
Share 2-3 skills you’re eager to gain like specific lab techniques, clinical trial management, statistical analysis methods, scientific writing, etc. Tie these directly to the role so your motivations align with the lab’s goals. Convey passion for growth.
7. What qualities make a successful postdoctoral researcher?
Discuss critical abilities like independence, perseverance, creativity, time management, communication, and collaboration. Share examples of demonstrating these qualities in your PhD program. Show you have what it takes to excel.
8. How do you plan to mentor undergraduate or graduate researchers in the lab?
Proactively highlight your commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Share your approach of leading by example, fostering independence balanced with guidance, encouraging questions, and advocating for mentees.
9. What are your career goals after your postdoc?
Demonstrate this training aligns with long-term plans like leading your own academic lab, directing major research projects in industry, or pursuing other senior scientific roles. Convey your postdoc will prepare you for future impact in oncology.
10. How would you manage working on multiple projects simultaneously?
Share strategies like maintaining detailed project plans, setting weekly goals, identifying dependencies, communicating regularly with team members, and requesting support if overloaded. Convey comfort with nimble prioritization.
11. Tell me about a time you overcame an obstacle during your PhD research.
Recount a story of perseverance like equipment malfunctions, failed experiments, or unsupportive colleagues. Share the actions you took to overcome challenges and still drive progress, emphasizing problem-solving abilities.
12. How have you contributed to a collaborative environment in past lab settings?
Discuss tactics like freely sharing ideas and resources, mentoring newcomers, leading journal clubs, providing constructive feedback, and organizing group outings or meetings. Share any team successes that resulted.
13. Why are you interested in studying [specific disease]?
Spotlight your motivations for pursuing a certain disease, like a personal experience with loved ones, knowledge gaps in current research, or potential to significantly reduce mortality rates. Convey passion for making an impact.
14. Describe your experience with grant/protocol writing.
Writing skills are vital in research. Discuss participation in drafting protocols, grants or papers. Highlight strong attention to detail, ability to articulate complex science clearly, and openness to feedback for improvement.
15. How do you prioritize tasks when facing multiple deadlines?
Another project management question. Share strategies like making detailed to-do lists, tackling harder items first, setting interim milestones, being realistic on capabilities, and frequently communicating with your PI and team members.
16. Tell me about a time you faced a setback during a research project. How did you address it?
Setbacks are common in science. Demonstrate perseverance and problem-solving by sharing a story of overcoming a research failure. Discuss actions like reviewing methodology, troubleshooting issues, consulting peers, and trying alternative approaches to get a project back on track.
17. Are you willing to work evenings, weekends, and overtime as needed for research?
Emphasize your enthusiasm for putting in extra hours when critical experiments are underway. Make your level of commitment and flexibility crystal clear. Share examples of demonstrating this work ethic in your PhD program.
18. How would you determine which journal is best to submit a completed study?
Prove you understand the publishing process by discussing factors like a journal’s impact factor, readership and distribution among your field, acceptance rates, and speed of decision. Highlight your existing publishing experience.
19. How have you ensured rigor and reproducibility in your research?
Discuss strategies like consistent protocols, data validation, repeating key experiments, proper controls, documenting procedures in detail, and statistical analysis. Convey a strong commitment to reliable, transparent science.
20. Do you have experience with multidisciplinary collaboration during research?
Emphasize openness to synthesizing ideas from diverse specialties to accelerate cancer breakthroughs. If you have collaborative experience, provide an example of a successful cross-functional project.
21. What questions do you have for me about this postdoctoral opportunity?
Come prepared with thoughtful questions that show your engagement. Ask about mentoring approach, collaborations underway, lab culture, career development opportunities, potential research focus areas, or technology resources you would have access to.
22. What do you think will be most challenging about this postdoc?
Be honest while framing it positively. Maybe managing work-life balance, achieving proficiency in new lab techniques quickly, or becoming fluent in a complex disease field. Affirm you are ready for challenges and see them as growth opportunities.
23. Why should we select you for this postdoc over other applicants?
Summarize your most relevant qualifications, achievements, and scientific contributions. Share what motivates you and sets you apart – your passion for the role, strong work ethic, team orientation, and perseverance. Make your value clear.
24. Where do you see your career in 10 years?
Share your vision for career advancement like leading a prolific academic lab, directing major R&D initiatives at a biotech firm, chairing a hospital department, or other leadership roles advancing cancer research.
25. Do you have any other pending postdoc applications or interviews?
Be transparent on your application status. If you do have other options, position MD Anderson as your top choice and reinforce that this would be the ideal fit for your goals. Affirm your commitment if selected.
Preparing strong responses to these common MD Anderson postdoc interview questions will impress hiring managers and set you up for securing this coveted oncology research role!
