The process started with a screening questions email. The questions were fairly standard and focused on background and past experiences. After that, I was scheduled for a hiring manager round. The hiring manager interview went somewhat well, but I felt at a disadvantage since I had mostly project-based experience and no formal research background. The interviewer’s questions leaned more toward research-style problem-solving, which made it harder to showcase my strengths. While I tried to connect my answers to my projects, it sometimes felt like they were looking for something more academic or research-oriented. Overall, the process was professional, but I came away feeling that the role might be better suited for candidates with a research background. For someone with primarily applied or industry experience, the fit may not be ideal unless the interview expectations are adjusted to account for practical, project-driven skills.