Generic interview Qs Flashcards
1
Q
Tell us about yourself.
Give 6 points.
A
- BSc Zoology - very broad, studied modules from across the life sciences
- Worked for a year at Lush to save for my MRes - experience in environmental campaigning
- MRes TFE - developed my research and analysis skills
- Worked at ICL in the SFS team - managed three grant schemes, supporting ~3,000 students
- When my contract ended, was offered a renewal but took the opportunity to go travelling in Asia
- Returned at the start of the pandemic
2
Q
What motivates you?
A
Learning:
I love to learn new information and skills, so I’m attracted to rapidly evolving disciplines because I find the pace of change exciting and there’s always something new to learn
Working with others:
I’m a very social person, fascinated by other people, I love to get to know them and find out what they think, always amazed by how differently people perceive things, always teaches me something new
3
Q
Describe someone you worked with who inspired you and why
A
- MRes in Malaysia
- Research manager was female, an immigrant from another Asian country and atheist
- Her workforce were male, Malaysian nationals and strictly religious
- They did not respect her at all, constantly undermined her and were rude
- Despite that, she conducted herself with grace and humility at all times
- Never lost her temper
- Was stern, didn’t tolerate bad behaviour
- But also fair, didn’t use their treatment of her as justification to throw her weight around
- Channelled all her energy into working hard to show her worth
- Showed me how to be an assertive, composed leader
4
Q
What do you know about UKERC?
A
- Founded 2004
- UKERC is a multi-university research consortium
- Composed of 20 universities, including UCL and Imperial (both of which I am a graduate of)
- UKERC acts as a focal point for UK energy research, which then informs policy
- Funded by 3 research councils through the UK RI Energy Programme: EPSRC, ESRC and NERC
- UKERC’s main focus is how we will transition to a low-carbon energy system
- Concerned with a ‘whole systems’ approach through interdisciplinary collaboration
5
Q
Why do you want to work for UKERC?
Give 3 points.
A
- I want to pursue a career in the energy sector
The reason I’m interested in UKERC specifically is because…
- UKERC provides vital exposure to the sector
Additionally…
- I am very supportive of the whole systems approach
6
Q
For ‘Why do you want to work for UKERC?’ you said
‘I want to pursue a career in energy’
Expand on that.
A
- My primary interest is climate change
- I want to be useful and contribute my skills to overcoming the biggest challenge humans have ever faced
- The reason I’m drawn to energy over other sectors is because it’s literally the foundation for modern life
- It powers the economy
- Everything else is built on top of it
- And in an increasingly digitalised world, with a growing population, energy usage is only going to increase
- So we absolutely have to make it sustainable
7
Q
For ‘Why do you want to work for UKERC?’ you said
‘UKERC provides vital exposure to the sector’
Expand on that.
A
- I don’t have a background in energy
- But I have a real desire to learn
- Chance to meet key players
- Work alongside experienced colleagues like yourselves
- Stay ahead of new developments in research and technology
- At a crucial point in modern history
- So I actually think it would be really exciting
8
Q
For ‘Why do you want to work for UKERC?’ you said
‘I like the whole systems approach’
Expand on that.
A
- During my undergrad, I became fascinated by ecosystems and how all the components, biotic and abiotic, interlink
- And I realised that conventional problem solving is rarely that holistic
- Which means we miss half the information and therefore potential solutions
- So I really want to work for an organisation that celebrates diversity of experience
- And recognises the value of collaboration
- Because we need all the ideas we can get in the face of such an enormous challenge
9
Q
What do you know about the role?
A
- The EO’s function is to work with the UKERC Directors, Co-Directors, Operations Manager and HQ teams to build links between UKERC, academia, the community, industry, policymakers and the third sector
- Essentially, to work with the academic and non-academic communities to identify engagement opportunities that focus on specific projects or interdisciplinary challenges
- And then encourage collaboration
10
Q
What do you know about the Whole Systems Networking Fund?
A
- It’s a fund designed to develop best practice in networking
- It encourages fresh voices and better representation in energy systems research
- Funds projects that develop connections across disciplines
11
Q
Why are you interested in the role?
A
- I love learning new things
- I’m super interested in systems thinking because I enjoy making connections between different areas of knowledge
- I’m also fascinated by people and getting to know them and finding out what they think
- So I feel that this role combines those elements
- As it would put me right at the heart of UK energy research, which is rapidly evolving
- And provides an opportunity to interact with those whose work directly influences the climate, so academia/industry/government
- Which is super exciting
- So I think I’d really enjoy it
- And also get satisfaction from knowing that my work would be contributing to something I think is really valuable
12
Q
Where do you see yourself in five years?
A
- I want to play a meaningful role in the low carbon transition but I’m flexible on how that happens
- One option would be working in a university to facilitate research and interdisciplinary discussion, so here or the Grantham Institute
- Another option would be working at BEIS as a policy advisor in climate or green energy
- Either way, this role provides vital exposure to the energy sector that will develop my knowledge for a future career
- Because in 5 years’ time I aim to be in a role with more responsibility
- Alternatively, I am very interested in doing a PhD in something like environmental economics
- But, with a background in ecology, I need some industry experience first, which this role would provide
13
Q
What is your superpower?
A
Interdisciplinary perspective:
- Something I’ve tried really hard to cultivate in recent years
- Started during my MRes: an ecologist against deforestation, then went to Malaysia and met local people whose QoL improved through palm oil jobs, realised issues are more nuanced than they appear
- Realised I wasn’t seeing the full picture because I was only looking at it through one lens
- So since then I’ve made a real effort to educate myself about CC from different perspectives
- e.g. courses in Green Economy, Sustainable Finance, Human Health and CC
- So I am better equipped to discuss climate strategy with decisionmakers
- And able to identify common ground as a basis for collaboration
- Due to the internet/social media, we live in an increasingly polarised world and unless we can respectfully discuss issues from different perspectives, we won’t meet our climate targets
14
Q
What are your strengths?
Give 3.
A
- Interdisciplinary perspective
- Communication
- Building relationships
15
Q
Describe your strength ‘interdisciplinary perspective’.
A
Interdisciplinary perspective:
- Something I’ve tried really hard to cultivate in recent years
- Started during my MRes: an ecologist against deforestation, then went to Malaysia and met local people whose QoL improved through palm oil jobs, realised issues are more nuanced than they appear
- Realised I wasn’t seeing the full picture because I was only looking at it through one lens
- So since then I’ve made a real effort to educate myself about CC from different perspectives
- e.g. courses in Green Economy, Sustainable Finance, Human Health and CC
- So I am better equipped to discuss climate strategy with decisionmakers
- And able to identify common ground as a basis for collaboration
- Due to the internet/social media, we live in an increasingly polarised world and unless we can respectfully discuss issues from different perspectives, we won’t meet our climate targets
