What is a Research Scientist at Arizona State University?

A Research Scientist (often designated as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar) at Arizona State University (ASU) is a pivotal driver of the institution’s mission as a "New American University." Unlike traditional academic roles that may focus solely on theoretical output, Research Scientists at ASU operate at the intersection of use-inspired research and public value. Whether you are working within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the Biodesign Institute, or the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, your work is expected to address "grand challenges" ranging from water scarcity and climate resilience to advanced x-ray physics and fluid dynamics.

In this role, you are more than a lab contributor; you are a project leader and a mentor. You will be responsible for designing bespoke experimental instrumentation, conducting high-stakes fieldwork or cleanroom fabrication, and translating complex data into actionable insights for both peer-reviewed journals and public policy. The impact of your work scales from local Arizona communities—through initiatives like interactive exhibits at county fairs—to global scientific audiences via international collaborations and high-impact publications.

What makes this position unique is ASU’s commitment to interdisciplinary fluidity. You will frequently collaborate across schools, working with experts in Science and Technology Studies (STS), Mechanical Engineering, or Molecular Sciences. This role is designed for individuals who possess deep technical expertise but are also driven by the desire to see their research integrated into society to improve the economic, social, and cultural health of the communities ASU serves.

Common Interview Questions

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for a Research Scientist interview at Arizona State University requires a dual focus: demonstrating uncompromising technical rigor and showing a clear alignment with the ASU Charter. Interviewers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running in the lab while also contributing to the university’s broader goals of inclusion and discovery of public value.

Technical Mastery and Domain Expertise – You must demonstrate a "fingerprint" of expertise in your specific field, whether that is Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), microfluidic device assembly, or semi-structured ethnographic interviewing. Interviewers will look for evidence of your ability to troubleshoot complex systems and design new methodologies rather than just following existing protocols.

Research Independence and Vision – While you will work under a Principal Investigator (PI), ASU values scholars who can develop their own research directions. You should be prepared to discuss how your past work informs your future projects and how you plan to secure funding or disseminate results to diverse audiences.

Collaborative Leadership and Mentorship – A significant portion of the role involves guiding undergraduate and graduate students. Interviewers evaluate your ability to communicate complex concepts to novices and your experience in managing the day-to-day operations of a research team.

Alignment with the ASU Charter – ASU is measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed. You should be ready to discuss how your research and professional activities support a culture of access, excellence, and impact.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for a Research Scientist at Arizona State University is rigorous and highly structured, typically mirroring the academic search process but with an added emphasis on technical application and project management. The pace is generally deliberate, as the hiring committee—often composed of the Principal Investigator, senior researchers, and departmental faculty—seeks to ensure a long-term fit for the lab’s culture and the project’s specific funding requirements.

You can expect a multi-stage progression that begins with an initial screening and culminates in a comprehensive "On-site" (which may be conducted virtually or in person at the Tempe campus). The process is designed to evaluate your "Job Talk" capabilities, your ability to handle spontaneous technical questioning, and your interpersonal fit with the existing research team. ASU places a high premium on communication skills, as many research roles involve interacting with external sponsors, policymakers, or the general public.

The visual timeline above represents the typical journey from application to offer. Most candidates will find the Research Seminar/Job Talk to be the most critical hurdle, as it allows the entire lab to vet your expertise. Following this, the 1-on-1 sessions are your opportunity to dive deep into the specific equipment, software, or methodologies you will use daily.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Technical Methodology & Experimental Design

This is the core of the evaluation. Interviewers need to know that you can manage the technical "heavy lifting" of the grant. For engineering roles, this might mean proving your expertise in wall-bounded turbulent flows; for social science roles, it means demonstrating a sophisticated approach to policy analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Be ready to go over:

• Instrumentation & Tools – Specific experience with PIV, XFEL instruments, photolithography, or NVivo.
• Data Analysis – Your proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or qualitative coding techniques to extract meaning from complex datasets.
• Troubleshooting – How you handle experimental failure or unexpected data anomalies.

Example scenarios:

• "Describe a time an experimental setup failed and how you redesigned the instrumentation to compensate."
• "Walk us through your process for ensuring the validity of semi-structured interviews in a politically charged environment."

Scientific Dissemination & Communication

At ASU, research that stays in the lab is considered incomplete. You will be evaluated on your ability to translate your findings for different audiences, including academic peers, industry partners, and the public.

Be ready to go over:

• Publication Record – Your strategy for targeting high-impact journals and your role in the writing process.
• Grant Writing – Any experience assisting with NSF, NIH, or private foundation proposals.
• Public Engagement – Experience translating academic research into accessible formats, such as op-eds, interactive exhibits, or policy recommendations.

Example scenarios:

• "How would you explain the significance of membrane filtration technologies to a local policymaker versus a fellow researcher?"
• "Discuss your experience in co-authoring public-facing articles or white papers."

Mentorship & Lab Citizenship

Since you will often be the senior-most researcher in the lab besides the PI, your ability to lead others is vital. ASU looks for "force multipliers"—people who make the whole team better.

Be ready to go over:

• Student Mentorship – Specific examples of how you have guided students through the research process.
• Project Management – Your ability to track milestones, manage budgets, and meet sponsor deadlines.
• Collaborative Spirit – How you navigate disagreements within a multi-sited or interdisciplinary team.

Example scenarios:

• "A graduate student is struggling with a specific technique you've mastered. How do you approach their training?"
• "Describe a time you collaborated with a researcher from a completely different discipline to solve a problem."