Post Job

What does a Laboratory Research Assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
David Simon
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.

On This Page

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. "

Most common laboratory research assistant skills

Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory research assistant resume templates

Build a professional laboratory research assistant resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your laboratory research assistant resume.
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume
Laboratory Research Assistant Resume

Compare different laboratory research assistants

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.

If we compare the average laboratory research assistant annual salary with that of a research fellow, we find that research fellows typically earn a $17,286 higher salary than laboratory research assistants make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between laboratory research assistants and research fellows are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data collection, patients, and cell culture.

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.

Research technician positions earn higher pay than laboratory research assistant roles. They earn a $6,497 higher salary than laboratory research assistants per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both laboratory research assistants and research technicians have skills such as "data collection," "patients," and "laboratory equipment. "

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

Two closely related areas of technology will have a particularly large impact on the careers of young physicists in coming years: quantum technology and photonics.

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.

An average research scientist eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of laboratory research assistants. The difference in salaries amounts to research scientists earning a $53,461 higher average salary than laboratory research assistants.laboratory research assistants and research scientists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data collection," "patients," and "laboratory equipment," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

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.

Laboratory interns average a lower salary than the annual salary of laboratory research assistants. The difference is about $1,232 per year.While both laboratory research assistants and laboratory interns complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like data collection, laboratory equipment, and lab procedures, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "patients," "molecular biology," "animal handling," and "cleanliness" are skills that commonly show up on laboratory research assistant resumes. On the other hand, laboratory interns use skills like linux, test results, sample preparation, and windows on their resumes.In general, laboratory interns earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $48,851. The highest-paying industry for a laboratory research assistant is the education industry.The average resume of laboratory interns showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to laboratory research assistants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.3%.

Types of laboratory research assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs