What early career development questions to ask during a Postdoc Interview? Is is polite and acceptable?

During my own post doc interviews (and PhD interviews), I asked what the situation would be like. I've included examples for your questions:

What kind of polite, professional questions I can ask this Professor during the interview?

My main concern is how much he supportive of career development and giving opportunities?

Also, what are other questions I should be ready to answer and ask him during the interview?

Ask the Professor how they run their research group. Specific question might include:

• How many people are in your group including post-docs, grad students, undergrads, and technical staff?
• How do meet with your research group? One-on-one regular meetings? Weekly meetings?
• What is your management style? Are you hands-off? Hands-on?

Ask how the professor has mentored previous post-docs.

• What do they view the goal of a post-doc to be? Do they view it as mentorship role? Do you they view you as a labor source?
• Where do their previous post-docs end up?
• Do post-docs get the freedom to ask their own questions? Are you only limited to the PI's question?

Ask what the professor wants from you.

• For example, do they expect X publications per year?
• Ask what they expect from their post docs on weekly basis. Do people work 40-hr weeks? 80-hr weeks? Are they expected to be in the lab on weekends?

For more ideas, I suggest checking out the Ask the Headhunter newsletter. He offers good tips for interviewing.

Last, reach out to current post-docs in the lab and ask them if they would be willing to have a call about what it is like to work for the professor. Other answers on this page such as this one describe what you ask the previous and current lab members.