Tempus Labs Data Scientist Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Tempus Labs is at the forefront of precision medicine, leveraging advanced technology to provide actionable insights that enhance clinical care and treatment effectiveness.

The Data Scientist role at Tempus Labs is pivotal in driving the analysis and interpretation of real-world evidence (RWE) data in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners, particularly within the oncology domain. As a Data Scientist, you will spearhead analyses of Tempus data, employing advanced statistical methodologies and machine learning techniques to generate insights that inform treatment decisions. You will be responsible for coding and deriving real-world endpoints, demonstrating a strong understanding of molecular and clinical datasets. A successful candidate will have a solid background in biostatistics, epidemiology, or data science, with proficiency in R and SQL, and a knack for effectively communicating complex findings to diverse stakeholders.

In alignment with Tempus Labs' mission, the ideal Data Scientist will be solution-oriented, demonstrate a collaborative mindset, and possess a thirst for continuous learning to stay updated on industry advancements. This guide will aid you in preparing for the interview by focusing on the skills and knowledge that align with Tempus Labs' values and expectations for the Data Scientist role.

The interview process for a Data Scientist role at Tempus Labs is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the demands of the position. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a phone screening with a recruiter or hiring manager. This conversation usually lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Tempus. Expect to discuss your resume in detail, including your technical skills and any relevant projects. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Take-Home Assignment

Following the initial screening, candidates are often given a take-home assignment. This task typically involves analyzing a dataset relevant to Tempus's work, such as gene expression data or other real-world evidence. The assignment is designed to evaluate your analytical skills, coding proficiency (especially in SQL and R), and ability to derive meaningful insights from data. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their thought process and coding style, as these aspects are heavily weighted in the evaluation.

3. Technical Interview

After submitting the take-home assignment, candidates usually participate in a technical interview. This may be conducted via video call and focuses on discussing the results of your assignment. Interviewers will ask you to explain your methodology, the models you used, and how you would approach productionizing your analysis. Be prepared for technical questions that may cover topics such as machine learning, statistics, and data interpretation.

4. Onsite Interviews

The final stage typically consists of onsite interviews, which can last around three hours. This phase usually includes multiple rounds of interviews with different team members, often in a 2-on-1 format. Interviewers will delve into your technical expertise, asking challenging questions related to your previous work, statistical methodologies, and real-world data analytics. Additionally, expect some behavioral questions to assess your fit within the team and your ability to handle stress and collaboration.

Throughout the process, candidates should be prepared to articulate their research findings clearly and tailor their communication to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise based on the experiences of previous candidates.

Practice for the Tempus Labs Data Scientist interview with these recently asked interview questions.