Interviewing for postdoc position (1)

Usually when you are applying for postdoc, you will be asked to give a talk at the institute/university. This is pretty standard so I won't dwell on this point.

What I would like to point out is that it is not just they interviewing you, but also you interviewing them. In a way, once they have invited you for a talk, they pretty much want to have you in their labs. The interview is more like a chance for you to see if you like their research environment/city/etc.

So do spend more time/effort to ask questions about the lab, and their research philosophy. Equally important is the people that will be working with you..are they nice? supportive? or competitive? Do you think you will click with those guys? There is no right or wrong in this kinda stuff..everyone is different. So go with your gut feelings..if you don't feel right, it probably isn't right for you, even if the lab is world-renowned.

If you have the chance, it is actually a very good idea to ask the people who has just worked in the lab previously. They are in a better position to say whatever they want, esp. bad things about the lab.

And of course it goes without saying that you should be familiar with the work of the lab....that means you should have read all the new papers from the lab, and the relevant background information....