30+ Junior Research Fellow Interview Questions and Answers

For a small dataset of 300 samples, a neural network with one hidden layer would be more suitable for better accuracy.

• A neural network with one hidden layer is simpler and less prone to overfitting on a small dataset.

• With a small dataset, a complex neural network with more hidden layers may lead to overfitting and poor generalization.

• A neural network with one hidden layer can capture the basic patterns in the data effectively.

• Using a simpler model like a neural network with o...read more

Precision and recall can be calculated using values from a confusion matrix.

• Precision = TP / (TP + FP)

• Recall = TP / (TP + FN)

• Where TP = True Positive, FP = False Positive, FN = False Negative

• For an n x n confusion matrix, sum the values in each row and column to get TP, FP, and FN for each class

Yes, a neural network can accept complex numbers as input.

• Neural networks can be designed to accept complex numbers as input by using complex-valued weights and activations.

• Complex-valued neural networks have been used in applications such as signal processing and image recognition.

• Complex numbers can represent both magnitude and phase information, making them useful for certain types of data.

• Complex-valued neural networks can be implemented using libraries such as TensorFlow...read more

Train semi supervised machine learning models by using a combination of labeled and unlabeled data.

• Start by training a model on a small amount of labeled data

• Use the trained model to make predictions on the unlabeled data

• Incorporate the predictions into the training set and retrain the model

• Repeat the process until the model reaches a satisfactory level of performance

Selecting k value in kmeans algorithm involves using techniques like elbow method and silhouette score.

• Use the elbow method to find the point where the rate of decrease sharply shifts, indicating the optimal k value.

• Calculate silhouette score for different k values and choose the one with the highest score.

• Consider domain knowledge and the specific problem requirements when selecting k value.

• Experiment with different k values and evaluate the clustering results to determine t...read more

Yes, I have experience in hydrological modelling.

• I have worked on hydrological modelling during my Master's thesis.

• I have used software like HEC-HMS and SWMM for hydrological modelling.

• I have also conducted research on the impact of climate change on hydrological processes.

• I have experience in calibrating and validating hydrological models using observed data.

• I have presented my research on hydrological modelling at international conferences.

Dengue and chikungunya are viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

• Both diseases are caused by different viruses and have similar symptoms like fever, joint pain, and rash.

• Dengue can cause severe complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.

• Chikungunya can cause long-term joint pain and is rarely fatal.

• Prevention measures include mosquito control and avoiding mosquito bites.

• There are no specific treatments for these diseases, only supportive care.

• Bot...read more

Gate and net scores for MSc and MTech with 60% and above.

• For MSc and MTech, a minimum of 60% is required in the qualifying exam.

• The candidate needs to clear the GATE exam with a good score.

• NET score is also considered for admission in some universities.

• Examples: MSc with GATE score of 70 and NET score of 80, MTech with GATE score of 80 and NET score of 75.

Types of Machine Learning include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and self-supervised learning.

• Supervised Learning: The model is trained on labeled data.

• Unsupervised Learning: The model is trained on unlabeled data.

• Semi-Supervised Learning: A combination of labeled and unlabeled data is used for training.

• Reinforcement Learning: The model learns through trial and error, receiving rewards or penalties.

• Self-Supervised...read more

kmeans algorithm is a clustering algorithm that partitions data into k clusters based on similarity.

• Divides data points into k clusters based on distance from centroid

• Iteratively assigns data points to nearest centroid and updates centroids

• Converges when centroids no longer change significantly

• Commonly used in machine learning for clustering data points

Evaluation metrics are used to measure the performance or effectiveness of a system, project, or process.

• Evaluation metrics can include quantitative measures such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and AUC-ROC.

• They can also include qualitative measures such as user satisfaction, usability, and user engagement.

• Evaluation metrics help in assessing the success of a project or system and identifying areas for improvement.

• Different evaluation metrics are used for different ...read more

Nanomaterials have unique properties due to their small size, high surface area to volume ratio, and quantum effects.

• Size: Nanomaterials have at least one dimension between 1-100 nanometers, leading to unique physical and chemical properties.

• Surface area to volume ratio: Nanomaterials have a high surface area compared to their volume, making them highly reactive and suitable for catalysis.

• Quantum effects: At the nanoscale, materials exhibit quantum effects that can change the...read more

Yes, I have knowledge of pointers in C.

• Pointers are variables that store the memory address of another variable.

• They are used to manipulate data directly in memory.

• Pointers can be used to pass values by reference, allowing functions to modify the original data.

• Example: int *ptr; ptr = # *ptr = 10; // changes the value of num to 10

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time.

• Entropy in a closed system tends to increase over time

• Heat flows from hot to cold objects, never the other way around

• Efficiency of energy conversion processes is limited by the second law of thermodynamics

Hydrology is crucial in managing urban drainage systems.

• Hydrology helps in understanding the flow of water in urban areas.

• It aids in designing and maintaining drainage systems.

• Urbanization can lead to increased runoff and flooding, hydrology helps in managing it.

• Hydrological models can be used to predict flood risks and plan accordingly.

• Examples of hydrological techniques used in urban drainage include infiltration basins, green roofs, and permeable pavements.

Cell cultures are cells grown in a controlled environment while cell lines are cells that have been immortalized and can be grown indefinitely.

• Cell cultures are primary cells that are grown in a controlled environment for a limited time.

• Cell lines are cells that have been immortalized and can be grown indefinitely.

• Cell cultures are more similar to cells in vivo than cell lines.

• Cell lines are often used in research as they are easier to maintain and can be used repeatedly.

• Cell...read more

PCA is a mathematical technique used for dimensionality reduction by finding the principal components of a dataset.

• PCA involves calculating the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the covariance matrix of the data.

• The eigenvectors represent the directions of maximum variance in the data, while the eigenvalues indicate the amount of variance along each eigenvector.

• The principal components are the eigenvectors corresponding to the largest eigenvalues, which capture the most varianc...read more

Types of magnetic materials include ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and ferrimagnetic materials.

• Ferromagnetic materials: exhibit strong magnetic properties and can be easily magnetized (e.g. iron, nickel, cobalt)

• Paramagnetic materials: weakly attracted to magnetic fields and do not retain magnetization when the field is removed (e.g. aluminum, platinum)

• Diamagnetic materials: weakly repelled by magnetic fields and do not retain magnetization when the field is removed...read more

I do not have any experience in assembly politics.

• I have not been involved in any political activities at the assembly level.

• I have not held any position in any political party or organization.

• I have not participated in any political campaigns or rallies.

• My focus has been on academic research and I have not had the opportunity to engage in political activities.

PCR is a molecular biology technique used to amplify DNA sequences.

• PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction

• It involves three main steps: Denaturation, Annealing, and Extension

• Denaturation: DNA is heated to separate the two strands

• Annealing: Primers bind to the complementary sequences on each strand

• Extension: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the primers to create new strands

• PCR can be used for various applications such as gene expression analysis, DNA sequencing, and diagnos...read more

Aluminum extraction involves the electrolysis of aluminum oxide, obtained from bauxite ore.

• Bauxite ore is first mined and processed to obtain aluminum oxide.

• The aluminum oxide is dissolved in molten cryolite to lower the melting point.

• Electrolysis is then carried out using a carbon anode and a cathode to separate aluminum from oxygen.

• The molten aluminum sinks to the bottom and is collected for further processing.

kgF stands for kilogram-force, a unit of force in the metric system.

• kgF is a unit of force in the metric system, specifically equal to the force exerted by one kilogram of mass in standard gravity (9.80665 m/s^2).

• It is commonly used in engineering and physics to measure forces.

• 1 kgF is approximately equal to 9.81 Newtons (N).

Stress strain curve shows the relationship between stress (force applied) and strain (resulting deformation) in a material.

• It is a graphical representation of the behavior of a material under loading.

• The curve typically consists of three regions: elastic deformation, plastic deformation, and fracture.

• The slope of the curve in the elastic region represents the material's stiffness or Young's modulus.

• The ultimate tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand b...read more

Image frequency decomposition is a process of breaking down an image into its constituent frequencies.

• Image frequency decomposition involves separating an image into different frequency components, such as low, medium, and high frequencies.

• This process is commonly used in image processing techniques like Fourier Transform and Wavelet Transform.

• By decomposing an image into its frequency components, it becomes easier to analyze and manipulate specific features of the image.

• For ...read more

PCR amplifies DNA while western blotting detects proteins.

• PCR involves denaturation, annealing, and extension cycles to amplify DNA

• Western blotting involves protein extraction, gel electrophoresis, transfer to membrane, and antibody detection

• PCR is used to detect DNA mutations or quantify gene expression

• Western blotting is used to detect specific proteins or measure protein expression levels

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on developing algorithms to make predictions based on data, while deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks to learn from large amounts of data.

• Machine learning involves developing algorithms that can learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data.

• Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks with multiple layers to learn from large amounts ...read more

The IR region for functional groups includes various ranges of wavelengths.

• The IR region for functional groups typically ranges from 4000 to 400 cm-1.

• The region between 4000-2500 cm-1 is known as the fingerprint region, where unique functional group vibrations occur.

• The region between 2500-2000 cm-1 is associated with triple bonds, such as C≡C or C≡N.

• The region between 2000-1500 cm-1 is related to double bonds, such as C=C or C=O.

• The region between 1500-1000 cm-1 is associate...read more

Eigen vector is a vector that does not change its direction when a linear transformation is applied to it.

• Eigen vectors are used in linear algebra to understand the behavior of linear transformations.

• They represent directions along which a linear transformation has a simple effect, such as scaling.

• Eigen vectors are associated with eigenvalues, which represent the scaling factor of the eigenvector.

• For example, in a 2x2 matrix, the eigenvectors represent the directions along wh...read more

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, a technique used to amplify a specific segment of DNA.

• PCR involves three main steps: Denaturation, Annealing, and Extension.

• Denaturation: DNA is heated to separate the double-stranded DNA into single strands.

• Annealing: Primers bind to the complementary sequences on the single-stranded DNA.

• Extension: DNA polymerase extends the primers to create new DNA strands.

• PCR is commonly used in molecular biology for DNA cloning, sequencing, and d...read more

Exvivo refers to experiments conducted outside the living organism while invivo refers to experiments conducted inside the living organism.

• Exvivo experiments are conducted on cells, tissues, or organs outside the living organism

• Invivo experiments are conducted on living organisms

• Exvivo experiments are often used to study the effects of drugs or treatments on specific cells or tissues

• Invivo experiments are often used to study the overall effects of drugs or treatments on the e...read more

Translational medicine is the process of applying research findings from basic science to clinical practice.

• Translational medicine aims to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and their implementation in healthcare settings.

• It involves translating laboratory research into potential new treatments, diagnostics, and medical procedures.

• This field focuses on improving patient outcomes and advancing medical knowledge through the integration of research and clinical practi...read more

Eigen value is a scalar associated with a square matrix that represents how a transformation stretches or compresses space along its eigenvectors.

• Eigen values are solutions to the characteristic equation det(A - λI) = 0, where A is the matrix, λ is the eigen value, and I is the identity matrix.

• They represent the factor by which the eigenvector is scaled during the transformation.

• Eigen values can be real or complex numbers, and each eigen value corresponds to an eigenvector.

• Ei...read more

I have research experience in the field of [field].

• Completed a research project on [topic] during my undergraduate studies

• Published a paper on [topic] in a reputable journal

• Presented research findings at [conference/event]

• Collaborated with a team of researchers on a project related to [field]

• Conducted literature reviews and data analysis for research projects