Expected Interview Questions and Answers for ETH Zurich PhD Program
Higher category : 【Study Abroad】 2023 ETH Zurich and University of Zurich PhD Program
Overview
⑴ The winning formula for the interview is to anticipate all questions and prepare special answers.
⑵ It is necessary to research the other party as much as possible and find common points.
⑶ Deep questions related to the Cover Letter have also been arranged in the anticipated questions below.
⑷ ChatGPT 4.0 may even create an expected interview problems.
Question 1. Self-Introduction
⑴ 1-1. 1-minute self-introduction
① Completed Bachelor’s and Master’s at Seoul National University, continuing studies in spatial biology and bioengineering.
② Currently researching the spatial transcriptome while working as a researcher at Portray Inc.
⑵ 1-2. How have you been recently?
① I have prepared a sci-fi novel as the first work after establishing a publishing company.
② The project started with a belief that I, as a single person, can solve many problems by sharing creative ideas to the public.
③ The problem I have in the novel is basically the garbage in the Pacific ocean, and I suggest an idea of discovery of novel microogranicsms that can decompose garbage in the ocean by utilizing super-resolution molecular imaging tools.
Question 2. Motivation for Application
⑴ 2-1. Why spatial biology?
① There are the following advantages when studying spatial biology
② Advantage 1. Easy detection of biomarkers
③ Advantage 2. We can study cell-to-cell interactions that are spatially close.
④ Advantage 3. We can increase the reliability of analysis using spatial statistics.
⑤ Advantage 4. We can study multicellularity → Connects with theoretical biology.
⑵ 2-2. Why organoids?
① Advantage 1. It can promote independence in research: it can reduce dependence on hospitals or doctors
② Advantage 2. Many pharmaceutical fields are looking to use organoids instead of animal testing: President Biden of the United States has signed related legislation
③ Advantage 3. Organoids are very similar to real organs, so they can perform invasive analyses that cannot be done in real organs
⑶ 2-3. Why systems biology?
① Systems biology is a field where computational algorithms, principles of physics, tools of chemistry, and biological intuition come together.
② Only through this interdisciplinary field can we unravel the mysteries of heterogeneity, robustness, multicellularity, and emergence that are unique in biological systems.
⑷ 2-4. What kinds of cancers have you studied?
① While working at my current company, I have researched a significant number of cancer types, including lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, blood cancer, and thyroid cancer, through meetings with various clients.
⑸ 2-5. Why Switzerland? Why Zurich?
① Because a systematic approach to studying biological heterogeneity is particularly strong in Zurich.
⑹ 2-6. Why pursue a PhD degree?
① To clarify the theory that explains biological heterogeneity.
② I believe this will pave the way to innovate medicine and provide insights into solving many global issues, including environmental problems.
Question 3. Current Status
⑴ 3-1. Have you recently read a paper of particular interest?
① In the paper titled “Spatial mapping of the total transcriptome by in situ polyadenylation.” it was clarified that protozoa and non-mRNA can also be read through Visium when they undergo adenylation. I would like to incorporate this finding into metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to create a field in environmental bioinformatics.
⑵ 3-2. My strengths and weaknesses
① I llike to work. I do it for funs, I do it for games, but I don’t do it by another man’s will. That’s my strength.
② Actually, I don’t have many weaknesses. But if I need to tell you only one weakness, I am too serious about work.
⑶ 3-3. If you have hardships in your research, how can you overcome them?
① Currently, I have such hardships in a paper that continuously has been rejected by several journals.
② But, the clearest success strategy I have is “the more, the better”. If I invest more time on it, I can make more insights and evidence, which will result in the completion of the paper.
Question 4. Career Plan
⑴ 4-1. What do you want to do in your Ph.D.
① Spatio-temporal transcriptomics.
② A theoretical study on biological heterogeneity.
⑵ 4-2. What will you do after graduation?
① I want to develop a spatio-temporal transcriptomics to understand cellular behaviors.
② I want write a book about special insights by completing theoretical works on biological heterogeneity. Introduction of information theory and game theory needed.
Question 5. Additional Questions
⑴ 5-1. Any additional questions?
① I am personally very interested in interactions between the microbiome and the host. It’s said that there is much research on such interactions in the brain, and I wonder if such research is also being done in brain organoids
Input: 2023.07.30 18:23