MSc, MTech Biotech, Biological Sciences Project Assistant Jobs at IIT Gandhinagar

Possible Interview Questions for the post of project assistant:

1. Can you share your experience with protein expression, purification, and biophysical characterization techniques? Please provide specific examples of projects you’ve worked on in the past. Answer: Sure! In my previous role, I was involved in expressing and purifying a recombinant protein using E. coli expression system. I also conducted biophysical characterization experiments using techniques like Circular Dichroism (CD) and UV-Vis spectroscopy to study protein folding and stability.

2. Have you worked on peptide synthesis before? Could you describe the process you followed and any challenges you encountered during the synthesis? Answer: Yes, during my academic projects, I gained experience in peptide synthesis using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) methods. I faced some challenges in optimizing coupling reactions and ensuring high purity in the final peptide product.

3. The job description mentions working with various instruments such as HPLC, Mass Spectrometry, MALDI-MS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Gel imager, CD, etc. Can you elaborate on your experience with these instruments and how you’ve utilized them in your previous research? Answer: I have hands-on experience with HPLC for peptide purification and Mass Spectrometry for analyzing protein and peptide mass. Additionally, I have used UV-Vis spectroscopy for protein quantification, Circular Dichroism (CD) for studying protein secondary structure, and Gel imaging for analyzing protein gels in electrophoresis.

4. Could you share an example of a challenging project you’ve worked on, and how you managed to overcome obstacles and achieve successful results? Answer: Certainly! In one project, I encountered issues with protein aggregation during expression. To overcome this, I optimized the culture conditions and purification steps, which led to improved solubility and yield of the target protein.

5. As a Project Assistant, you’ll be handling multiple tasks and working under time constraints. How do you prioritize your workload to ensure timely completion of projects? Answer: Prioritizing is essential in project management. I usually start by identifying critical tasks and setting deadlines accordingly. I maintain a well-organized schedule and communicate regularly with team members to stay on track. If needed, I am open to seeking guidance from my supervisor to ensure smooth progress and timely completion of projects.