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I may not be the person to advise on this. I have never had an interview for a postdoc position and have never heeded the advice (although I think it's good advice) that you should find out all you can about your prospective lab in advance. I've also been lucky in that I've managed to do "my own thing" to a large degree - this may be because my group leaders have recognised the strength of my scientific argument, because I'm rather bloody-minded or some combination of the two.

Anyway, bearing in mind that as a new postdoc you have little in the way of status, rights or bargaining power, let's go through your original list ;-)

• Resources available to me

Very important - without equipment, you can't do what you want. Even if other aspects of the environment are good, you will always be thinking that you could do what you want elsewhere - this can lead to frustration and bitterness.

• Students

In most cases, you'll be responsible for at least Ph.D./Hons. students and may be asked if you want to lecture. My advice in the latter case is - by all means do it if you'd like to, but get a clear, preferably written agreement first. I've done lectures essentially as a one-off favour, only to find that it's assumed I am now a full time member of teaching staff. Certain academics are all too ready to offload teaching onto research staff and it's wrong. Lecture preparation and delivery is stressful and time-comsuming and if it's not in your job description, you don't have to do it - there aren't enough hours in the day for your research as it is.

• Research assistants

Will depend very much on size and funding of the lab. You may just have to cheerfully chip in with occasional tasks that you'd rather not do, unfortunately.

• Own work versus group work

I think all postdocs should be free to pursue their own interests within the framework of what goes on on the group and should most definitely be encouraged to collaborate externally. Remember though that you have been hired to benefit the group as well as yourself. Here, you want to be certain that your individual efforts are recognised, typically by pushing for first authorship. You may also find that you don't know as much as you thought you did and that your ideas are actually rather vague and unfocused. It doesn't do any harm to let the interests of the group direct your work in the early stages.

• Extra-research/admin duties

As a new postdoc - probably not many. May vary depending on the boss, but is more likely to consist of the occasional "do you want to look over this for me, I'm really busy" request. "So am I, piss off" is an acceptable response.

• HOW LITTLE ARE YOU PAYING ME

Starting postdoc salaries are pretty standard worldwide, unless you land a lucrative fellowship. Not a lot you can do about that.

• Collaboration or competition in the ranks

Within the group? I have heard of groups in which postdocs are almost encouraged to fight to the death. It never ends well. Don't go there.