100+ Senior Research Associate Interview Questions and Answers

The interview question asks about dissolution and method development, formulation handling, force degradation, lipid content analysis, and the use of membrane filters in methods.

• Dissolution refers to the process of a solid substance dissolving in a liquid medium.

• Method development involves creating and optimizing analytical methods for various purposes.

• Formulations handled can include tablets, capsules, suspensions, or solutions.

• Force degradation is a technique used to accele...read more

Discriminatory media is biased towards certain groups while bio relevant media mimics the natural environment of cells.

• Discriminatory media can be based on race, gender, or other factors that unfairly favor or disadvantage certain groups

• Bio relevant media is designed to replicate the conditions that cells would experience in the body, such as temperature, pH, and nutrient levels

• Discriminatory media can lead to inaccurate or incomplete research results, while bio relevant medi...read more

Different types of detectors for HPLC include UV-Vis, fluorescence, refractive index, and mass spectrometry.

• UV-Vis detector measures the absorbance of UV or visible light by the analyte.

• Fluorescence detector measures the fluorescence emitted by the analyte when excited by light.

• Refractive index detector measures the change in refractive index of the mobile phase caused by the analyte.

• Mass spectrometry detector measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions produced by the analyte.

DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. Pre-tax amount is used in the calculation to ensure that the borrower has enough income to cover their debt obligations.

• DSCR is a financial ratio used to determine if a borrower has enough income to cover their debt obligations

• It is calculated by dividing the borrower's pre-tax income by their total debt service

• A DSCR of 1 or higher indicates that the borrower has enough income to cover their debt obligations

• Pre-tax amount is used ...read more

The compounds that were ELSD inactive are those that did not produce a response in the ELSD detector.

• ELSD inactive compounds do not show any signal or peak in the ELSD detector.

• These compounds may have low or no response to the ELSD detection method.

• ELSD inactive compounds can be identified by comparing their chromatographic profiles to those of active compounds.

• Examples of ELSD inactive compounds include certain sugars, salts, and some non-volatile compounds.

The product and partially consumed starting material can be separated in an ester hydrolysis reaction by using techniques such as distillation, extraction, or chromatography.

• Distillation can be used to separate the product and starting material based on their different boiling points.

• Extraction involves using a solvent to selectively extract one component from the mixture.

• Chromatography techniques such as column chromatography or thin-layer chromatography can be used to separ...read more

Method precision for related substances method is performed by analyzing multiple samples of known concentration and calculating the standard deviation.

• Analyze multiple samples of known concentration

• Calculate the standard deviation

• Ensure the precision is within acceptable limits

• Repeat the analysis to confirm the precision

• Use appropriate statistical tools to analyze the data

LOQ stands for Limit of Quantitation as per ICH guidelines. It is the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably measured.

• LOQ is determined by analyzing a series of samples with known concentrations of the analyte and calculating the standard deviation and slope of the calibration curve.

• The LOQ is typically defined as the concentration at which the signal-to-noise ratio is at least 10:1.

• It is important to establish the LOQ for a method to ensure accurate and prec...read more

LAH reduction workup involves quenching with water, acid-base extraction, and purification steps.

• Quench LAH with water to destroy excess reagent and generate aluminum hydroxide

• Perform acid-base extraction to separate the organic product from byproducts

• Purify the organic product using techniques like distillation or chromatography

Exponential increase in turnover can be analyzed by identifying the factors contributing to the increase and projecting future growth.

• Identify the source of the increase (e.g. new product launch, market expansion)

• Analyze customer behavior and purchasing patterns

• Evaluate competition and market trends

• Use statistical models to project future growth

• Consider potential challenges and risks to sustained growth

A NOE (Nuclear Overhauser Effect) is a phenomenon in NMR spectroscopy where the nuclear spins of two atoms interact with each other.

• NOE occurs when the nuclear spins of two atoms are coupled through space, leading to changes in their relaxation rates.

• It is used in NMR spectroscopy to determine the distance between atoms in a molecule.

• An example of NOE is the observation of enhanced signal intensity between protons that are close in space in a molecule.

To analyse credit worthiness of a company, various financial ratios and credit scores are used.

• Check the company's credit score and credit history

• Analyze the company's financial statements and ratios such as debt-to-equity ratio, current ratio, and interest coverage ratio

• Evaluate the company's industry and market trends

• Assess the company's management and leadership

• Consider any external factors that may affect the company's credit worthiness, such as economic conditions and re...read more

EU requirements for multimedia dissolution

• Multimedia dissolution testing is required for certain types of drug products in the EU

• The requirements are outlined in the European Pharmacopoeia (EP)

• The EP specifies the apparatus, dissolution medium, and testing conditions for multimedia dissolution

• The acceptance criteria for dissolution testing are also provided in the EP

The role of a particular reagent in a reaction is to initiate, catalyze, or participate in the reaction.

• Reagents can be used to initiate a reaction by providing energy or a catalyst to start the reaction.

• Reagents can also be used to catalyze a reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

• Reagents can participate in a reaction by reacting with other molecules to form new products.

• For example, in the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium...read more

Ethical considerations in blood withdrawal and dosage in rodents focus on welfare, pain, and scientific validity.

• Maximum blood withdrawal is typically 10-15% of total blood volume to prevent harm.

• Dosage must consider the route of administration; for example, intravenous doses are often lower than oral doses due to bioavailability.

• Ethical guidelines require minimizing pain and distress; use of anesthetics or analgesics may be necessary.

• Research protocols must be approved by an...read more

The type of products handled and how to formulate its stable form depends on the specific product and its ingredients.

• The type of product will determine the formulation process

• Ingredients must be carefully selected and tested for stability

• Formulation may involve adjusting pH, adding stabilizers, or using emulsifiers

• Examples of products include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products

The final product would depend on the specific reagents used and the reaction conditions.

• The final product could be different in terms of yield, purity, and chemical properties.

• The reaction mechanism and kinetics could also be affected by the change in reagent.

• Examples of changes in reagents could include using a different catalyst or solvent.

• The final product could also be affected by the stoichiometry of the reaction.

• It is important to consider the potential side reactions ...read more

Quenching a small batch Pd-C reaction involves adding a quenching agent to stop the reaction and isolate the desired product.

• Add a quenching agent such as water or acid to the reaction mixture

• Stir the mixture to ensure thorough quenching

• Monitor the reaction to determine the appropriate time for quenching

• Isolate the desired product after quenching

Degas palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions to remove oxygen and water, which can inhibit the reaction and reduce yield.

• Removes oxygen and water which can inhibit the reaction

• Improves yield and efficiency of the coupling reaction

• Prevents formation of palladium oxides which are inactive catalysts

• Enhances selectivity of the reaction by removing impurities

Interview focused on technical knowledge and assignment review for a Senior Research Associate role in healthcare.

• Clarify the role expectations: Ask the interviewer to define the specific responsibilities and goals of the position.

• Highlight relevant experience: Discuss past projects or assignments that align with the role, such as data analysis in healthcare.

• Demonstrate technical skills: Be prepared to answer questions on methodologies, tools, and technologies relevant to hea...read more

Specificity in assay method refers to the ability of the method to accurately measure only the target analyte without interference from other substances.

• Specificity is determined by testing the method with known standards and samples containing the target analyte as well as potential interfering substances.

• Cross-reactivity with similar compounds should be evaluated to ensure the method is specific to the target analyte.

• Selectivity is another term used interchangeably with spe...read more

Establishing Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantification

• Limit of Detection (LOD) is the lowest concentration of analyte that can be reliably detected

• Limit of Quantification (LOQ) is the lowest concentration of analyte that can be accurately quantified

• LOD and LOQ are determined by analyzing samples with known low concentrations of analyte

• LOD is typically defined as the concentration at which the signal-to-noise ratio is 3:1

• LOQ is typically defined as the concentration at wh...read more

ROCE formula and inclusion of short term loans in calculation

• ROCE formula is (Operating Profit / Capital Employed) x 100

• Capital Employed includes all long-term and short-term assets minus short-term liabilities

• Short-term loans are included in the calculation of capital employed

• ROCE is a measure of how efficiently a company is using its capital to generate profits

The free and bound drug in liposomal formulation can be quantified using various methods such as dialysis, ultrafiltration, and equilibrium dialysis.

• Dialysis involves placing the liposomal formulation in a dialysis bag and allowing the free drug to diffuse out of the bag into a surrounding buffer solution.

• Ultrafiltration separates the free drug from the liposomal formulation using a filter with a specific molecular weight cutoff.

• Equilibrium dialysis involves placing the lipos...read more

kLa is the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, crucial for scaling up bioreactors in upstream processing.

• kLa measures the efficiency of oxygen transfer in bioreactors, essential for microbial growth.

• It is influenced by factors like agitation speed, aeration rate, and bioreactor design.

• For example, increasing agitation can enhance kLa, improving oxygen availability for cell cultures.

• In scaling up, maintaining a consistent kLa ensures similar growth conditions in larger biore...read more

Analytical method validation is the process of demonstrating that an analytical method is suitable for its intended use.

• It involves testing the accuracy, precision, specificity, and robustness of the method.

• Validation is necessary to ensure that the results obtained from the method are reliable and reproducible.

• It is a requirement for regulatory compliance in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food.

• Examples of analytical methods that require validation include HPLC, GC, a...read more

Finding hard-to-access information requires strategic approaches, including networking, specialized databases, and expert consultations.

• Networking: Connect with professionals in the field through platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and access unpublished data.

• Specialized Databases: Utilize academic databases like PubMed or Scopus for in-depth research articles not available on general platforms.

• Freedom of Information Requests: In some cases, you can file requests to gove...read more