I applied online and got a phone call about a month later. The interview process was not very enjoyable - I felt like I was being tested. My interviewer asked me specific questions about recent reports they've released. My advice to anyone going in for an interview is to spend several hours reading over the latest publications in the department you would be working for. I had no idea that I had to read more than 500 pages to prepare for a phone interview, so I knew about halfway through that I would not be getting a call back. I was willing to accept the low salary because I wanted research experience, but be warned that they pay their junior staff really terribly low salaries.

I was recommended to the job by a friend. The interview was laid back and professional, with the person who would be overseeing me. It was some years ago so I don't remember specifics, and it was for a short-term position, so they probably didn't bring out the big guns anyway. But in general I think I was asked about my experience specific to the job at hand.