Interviews were split between 2 separate days. On day 1, I was asked to prepare a short presentation describing my previous research experience, as well as to give a short talk about a scientific topic I am interested in. Candidates that successfully passed during the first day were asked to join a longer, more detailed interview on day 2. Q&A/networking sessions with the supervisor and other PhD students of the lab were also organised. Overall, it was a stressful but well organised and fair interview process.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a problem that you came across during your previous research experience and they way you solved it.
I interviewed at The Institute of Cancer Research (London, England)
Interview
I prepared an presentation about my previous project and then answered questions around it. Was asked about future career plans and motivation for that role. Also some questions about my way of working and then had a second interview with members of the lab
I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at The Institute of Cancer Research (London, England) in Jan 2023
Interview
It's a 3 step application: 1 - online application where you have to submit extensive information about your experience and education. You also have to submit answers to a few questions, i.e. How this PhD programme in particular aligns with your career goals and Tell us about how you spend your free time - what do you enjoy doing? 2 - 30 min online interview with 3 members of the faculty team where you have to present about your research experience for 7 mins, plus talk for 4 minutes about a topic in science that interest you. They asked questions about the presentation, including about experimental design, and general questions about me and my career expectations 3 - in person interview with PI from the project you choose. Very dependent on PI, some are more informal (just having a conversation about the project), while others are quite similar to the previous interview model.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why do you want to do a PhD, with an angle of how you see yourself in 10 years? What will you bring to the team? What do you expect from a supervisor? Examples of time management, working under stress, disagreeing with colleagues decisions/advice.