Biotech interview prep when AI ranks discovery hits

Check controls, count independent repeats and explain what would change your research plan.

What companies say they’re looking for

01 Check what the model saw

“Independent evaluation on previously unseen data provides a more credible measure of performance and generalisability.” (opens the source)

Julio Saez-Rodriguez, Head of Research, EMBL-EBI · United Kingdom · EMBL-EBI, Sep 17, 2026

Saez-Rodriguez explains how independent data can test a model. Check whether the records represent series the model has never seen.

Computational discovery scientist interviewCan the AI benchmark guide the next shortlist?Example

02 Check the assay controls

“To ensure that all errors and erroneous results are reported to your supervisor with minimal delay.” (opens the source)

Cyprotex, Associate Scientist posting · Alderley Park, England · Evotec Careers, Nov 10, 2026

The Cyprotex posting names reporting erroneous results as a duty. In the case, tell the assay owner which control failed and how it changes the count.

Research associate interviewWhich assay runs can you count?Example

03 Compare within batches

“However, fluctuating instrument readouts, known as batch effects, can obscure biological patterns.” (opens the source)

Martin Wasser and coauthors, Cytometry study authors · Singapore · Cytometry Part A, May 18, 2026

The Singapore study describes how instrument variation can obscure biological patterns. Check whether a pooled comparison holds within each batch.

Discovery data scientist interviewDoes the pooled ranking hold within each batch?Example

04 Count independent repeats

“Technical replicates are multiple measurements made on an experimental unit to obtain an estimate of measurement error” (opens the source)

P. S. Reynolds, University of Florida · article author · eNeuro, Feb 25, 2026

Reynolds describes repeated measurements on one experimental unit. Check how many independent samples the measurements represent.

Platform research scientist interviewHow many independent repeats do you have?Example

05 Decide what can advance

“The advancement of the first unexplored neuroscience target from our collaboration with Genentech into an early discovery program is an important milestone” (opens the source)

Najat Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Recursion · Recursion, Aug 5, 2026

Khan describes one target advancing into joint early discovery. Use the criteria in the fictional case to decide which hit has independent confirmation.

Discovery scientist interviewWhich hit is ready for the next discovery review?Example

Sources

Julio Saez-Rodriguez, Head of Research, EMBL-EBI · United Kingdom, at the time. EMBL-EBI, “Benchmarking: the foundation of reliable AI in biomedicine”, Sep 17, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Cyprotex, Associate Scientist posting · Alderley Park, England, at the time. Evotec Careers, “Associate Scientist”, Nov 10, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Martin Wasser and coauthors, Cytometry study authors · Singapore, at the time. Cytometry Part A, “Dissecting the Influence of Batch Effects on Immunomics Pattern Discovery in High-Dimensional Mass Cytometry”, May 18, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
P. S. Reynolds, University of Florida · article author, at the time. eNeuro, “Experimental Designs for Preclinical Neuroscience Experiments: Part I—Design Basics”, Feb 25, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Najat Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Recursion, at the time. Recursion, “Unlocking the First Neuroscience Target for the Recursion and Genentech Collaboration”, Aug 5, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.

Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026