Phone call and then on site interview. 1 hour presentation about your previous research and multiple 30 min one on one meetings. The process takes weeks. Then go through HR.
I applied online. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at MIT (Boston, MA) in Apr 2014
Interview
I came in to talk about a research scientist position. I gave a talk, met with people I would be working with, and heard a lot about the potential project. It was all pretty standard, people were nice. There were not many questions, more being talked at than questioned. Went out to dinner with the group, toured around the campus area where I would be working. The presentation was in a seminar room and involved some questioning, but just on past research.
I applied online. I interviewed at MIT (Cambridge, MA) in Jan 2013
Interview
Very hard and extensive. with technical questions on every part of my background. It first started on optical setups and then progressed to device physics questions and more so on nanotechnology and chemistry.