What does a laboratory internship do?
A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.
Laboratory internship responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory internship resumes:
- Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
- Perform various laboratory experiments with instructor including DNA electrophoresis, forensic studies, and DNA extraction.
- Process postmortem tissue for sectioning.
- Help the students learn about the basics of biology, including cells to ecology.
- Mix reagents in order to create fruit fly food through the use of autoclaves.
- Perform experiments concern with the synthesis of polyurethane base polymer surface modifiers (PSMs).
- Perform DNA extraction, quantification, PCR, and Genotyping various fish populations of Atlantic salmon.
- Help the technicians preparing solutions and the materials for the classes of biology, and biotechnology.
- Collect and analyze liquid chromatography data.
- Maintain on centrifuges and record temperature of refrigerators/freezers.
- Operate high technological machinery, including capillary electrophoresis and nuclear magnetic resonance.
- Wet bench duties include immunohistochemistry, brain sectioning, and solution preparation.
- Participate in weekly group meetings/discussions and give PowerPoint presentations to the Pasquale laboratory.
- Read electronic schematics to troubleshoot specific instrument malfunctions down to the component level.
- Design and synthesize self-assembling pH sensitive nanoparticles using polymer and peptide synthesis techniques.
Laboratory internship skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Laboratory Interns are proficient in Lab Procedures, Chemistry, and Python. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Observational skills, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Interns that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Procedures, 11%
Interned with laboratory technologists and was allowed to conduct several laboratory tests and learned administrative lab procedures.
- Chemistry, 10%
Conducted medicinal chemistry research developing new chemical compounds to be cataloged and tested for specific biological protein inhibitors.
- Python, 10%
Performed maintenance and repair on old computers and subsequently utilized them to continuously run my custom-made python applications.
- C++, 6%
Developed program code written in C++, LabView, and designed circuitry for interrupt-driven, automated systems.
- Laboratory Procedures, 6%
Cataloged 2,000+ archaeological materials and supervised participants in artifact identification and laboratory procedures
- Laboratory Equipment, 4%
Sterilized and calibrated laboratory equipment/instruments as needed
Common skills that a laboratory internship uses to do their job include "lab procedures," "chemistry," and "python." You can find details on the most important laboratory internship responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a laboratory internship to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Additionally, a laboratory internship resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "conducted turbidity and conductivity chemical analysis of water quality in 13 western north carolina counties. "
Observational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling laboratory internship duties is observational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." According to a laboratory internship resume, here's how laboratory interns can utilize observational skills in their job responsibilities: "work experience: applied statistical methods on observational data analysis; apprentice on weather forecasting in shenyang regional meteorology center. "
Technical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of laboratory interns is technical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday laboratory internship duties, as "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created a technical report and presented results to the chemistry department. "
Communication skills. For certain laboratory internship responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a laboratory internship rely on this skill, as "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what laboratory interns do: "maintained and organized laboratory equipment and supplies assisted foreign researchers with communication tracked supply orders. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory internships are:
- Intel6 laboratory interns jobs
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise3 laboratory interns jobs
- Tenet Healthcare3 laboratory interns jobs
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Compare different laboratory interns
Laboratory internship vs. Research fellow
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a laboratory internship are more likely to require skills like "lab procedures," "laboratory procedures," "laboratory equipment," and "lab equipment." On the other hand, a job as a research fellow requires skills like "patients," "immunology," "crispr," and "cell biology." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Research fellows really shine in the non profits industry with an average salary of $57,261. Comparatively, laboratory interns tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $48,851.On average, research fellows reach higher levels of education than laboratory interns. Research fellows are 11.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 30.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory internship vs. Microbiologist
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that laboratory internship responsibilities requires skills like "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++." But a microbiologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "usp."
Microbiologists may earn a higher salary than laboratory interns, but microbiologists earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $57,911. On the other hand, laboratory interns receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $48,851.In general, microbiologists achieve higher levels of education than laboratory interns. They're 5.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 30.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for laboratory internships in the next 3-5 years?
Professor Susan Bergeson
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Laboratory internship vs. Research and development assistant
A research and development assistant is responsible for supporting the research team in collecting studies and information to support research claims and evaluate data materials. Research and development assistants interview participants, conduct data and statistical analysis, and interpret survey results. They ensure to document all findings and research progress and report any concerns to the research supervisor for immediate resolution. A research and development assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in participating in brainstorming sessions and finalize research subjects as required.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a laboratory internship is likely to be skilled in "lab procedures," "chemistry," "laboratory procedures," and "cell culture," while a typical research and development assistant is skilled in "data entry," "assist r," "java," and "access database."
Research and development assistants earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $71,587. Laboratory interns earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $48,851.Most research and development assistants achieve a higher degree level compared to laboratory interns. For example, they're 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory internship vs. Research technician
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Types of laboratory internship
Updated January 8, 2025
