Discuss PhD coursework and research impact
Overview
This question evaluates a candidate's foundations in empirical modeling, ability to learn from failed approaches, incorporation of feedback, and skill in quantifying research impact within a research or product context.
Citadel
Oct 13, 2025, 9:49 PM
Data Scientist
Technical Screen
Behavioral & Leadership
0
0
Behavioral: PhD Coursework and Research Reflection (Data Scientist Technical Screen)
Context
You are interviewing for a Data Scientist role. The interviewer wants to assess your foundations in empirical modeling, your ability to learn from failed approaches, and how you incorporate feedback and quantify impact.
Prompt
- Walk through your PhD coursework choices and research focus. Which two courses most shaped your approach to empirical modeling, and why?
- Describe one research project where your initial approach failed. What changed after feedback, and how did you quantify impact (e.g., ablation, replication, external validation)?
- If I asked your advisor and a collaborator for one area to improve, what would they say, and what have you done about it?
Solution
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