Penn State Graduate Research Assistant interview questions

At Penn State, my interview process was conducted as a faculty/PI interview for graduate admission and research fit. After submitting my application materials, I was contacted to schedule a video interview. The interview focused on three parts: (1) my academic background and research experience, including key projects, methods I used, and what I learned; (2) technical discussion related to the lab’s research direction, where I explained how I would approach experiments, data analysis, and troubleshooting; and (3) program/logistics topics such as coursework plans, research expectations, timeline, and funding/assistantship availability. I also had time to ask questions about the group’s current projects, mentorship style, and the next steps. The overall process emphasized research fit, communication, and readiness to contribute to ongoing work.