What does a Laboratory Research Assistant do?

A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.
Laboratory research assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory research assistant resumes:
- Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
- Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
- Maintain microbial culture and isolate and purify bacterial and viral DNA and RNA to study the genome of common pathogenic bacteria.
- Perform protein extraction on larvae.
- Perform biological assays, including ELISA and RT-PCR.
- Gain extensive MLST, RT-PCR, conventional PCR, primer design and gel-electrophoresis experience.
- Help train in new volunteers, undergrad researchers and graduate students on extraction and PCR techniques.
- Create agarose gels, stain them in a EtBr bath, and place PCR samples in wells.
- Conduct literature search and review, and lab techniques such as RNA extraction, PCR, western blotting and ELISA.
- Help to maintain organisms used in experiments and prepare bacterial and yeast DNA samples for use in cloning and analysis.
- Reduce costs associate with DNA replication errors by establishing standard practices for lab assistants, leading to higher rates of DNA replication
- Prepare conference presentations using PowerPoint.
- Audit randomly biochemical tests of experimental patients for FDA submission.
- Deliver a PowerPoint presentation of research at program's closing ceremony.
- Extract & purify target organic compounds via high performance liquid chromatography.
Laboratory research assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 5% of Laboratory Research Assistants are proficient in Data Collection, Patients, and Laboratory Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Research Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Collection, 5%
Planned and executed research experiments and data collection; modified existing laboratory procedures and protocols to meet project goals.
- Patients, 5%
Collected physiological data using external data acquisition systems and monitored patients during AFTE (Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise).
- Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Design and conduct most procedures independently using laboratory equipment, computer resources, and institutional libraries.
- Lab Procedures, 5%
Revised lab procedures according to research technician specifications and oversaw stocking of lab equipment.
- Laboratory Techniques, 5%
Coordinated a staff of seven and trained volunteers on time sensitive water quality research projects and meticulous laboratory techniques.
- Molecular Biology, 4%
Explored yeast physiology questions pertaining to meiotic recombination using molecular biology and yeast genetics leading to publications i n peer-reviewed journals.
"data collection," "patients," and "laboratory equipment" are among the most common skills that laboratory research assistants use at work. You can find even more laboratory research assistant responsibilities below, including:
Observation skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a laboratory research assistant to have is observation skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Laboratory research assistants often use observation skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintained laboratory equipment and monitor equipment calibration schedule documented all observations and experiments in lab book. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling laboratory research assistant duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." According to a laboratory research assistant resume, here's how laboratory research assistants can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "utilized training in data collection, communication skills and customer service skills to conduct experiments. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory research assistants are:
- Harvard University54 laboratory research assistants jobs
- PSEA34 laboratory research assistants jobs
- Children's Hospital Colorado19 laboratory research assistants jobs
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Laboratory research assistant 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 research assistant are more likely to require skills like "laboratory equipment," "lab procedures," "laboratory techniques," and "molecular biology." On the other hand, a job as a research fellow requires skills like "immunology," "cell biology," "public health," and "past work." 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 research assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $41,436.research fellows tend to reach higher levels of education than laboratory research assistants. In fact, research fellows are 7.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 29.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory research assistant 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, laboratory research assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "lab procedures," "molecular biology," "laboratory procedures," and "cleanliness." Meanwhile, a research technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "data entry," "biochemistry," "immunology," and "sample collection." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Research technicians may earn a higher salary than laboratory research assistants, but research technicians earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $51,020. On the other hand, laboratory research assistants receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,436.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Research technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than laboratory research assistants. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 29.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Laboratory Research Assistants in the next 3-5 years?
David Simon
Professor, Stonehill College
With the surge in interest in quantum computation and related areas such as quantum cryptography, quantum communication, and quantum sensing, working knowledge of quantum mechanics has become a valuable asset for job seekers. In the past ten years, many start-up companies have appeared whose purpose has been to bring formerly exotic quantum protocols and quantum technologies to life in practical, real-world applications. Many tech giants like Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Google have also recently founded initiatives along the same lines. So, these quantum technology companies have become a valuable source of potential jobs for new graduates who have a strong grounding in quantum mechanics, combined with either solid computational or experimental skills.
One other rapidly growing source of potential employment for new physics graduates in photonics, the science and application of light-based technologies. Photonics has an enormous range of applications that includes fiber-optic communication networks, self-driving cars, remote sensing for archeology, biomedical imaging, and remote detection of environmental hazards. Photonic devices are also one of the most promising platforms for the quantum technologies mentioned above, as well as being a key tool for many areas of fundamental science such as quantum optics and atomic physics. Non-academic jobs in photonics-related industries have been exploding in recent years, but the academic world has been slow to keep up: there is a widely recognized shortage of dedicated photonics programs at the undergraduate level. So, a student who graduates from a physics program with a strong background in optics and electronics is likely to find themselves with a wide variety of options in photonics-related careers.
Laboratory research assistant vs. Research scientist
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, laboratory research assistants are more likely to have skills like "lab procedures," "laboratory techniques," "analyze data," and "laboratory procedures." But a research scientist is more likely to have skills like "java," "tensorflow," "visualization," and "excellent interpersonal."
When it comes to education, research scientists tend to earn higher degree levels compared to laboratory research assistants. In fact, they're 8.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 23.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory research assistant vs. Laboratory internship
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.
Types of laboratory research assistant
Updated January 8, 2025