What does a laboratory researcher do?
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
Laboratory researcher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory researcher resumes:
- Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
- Plan to create apparatus and experimental procedure to enable selective extraction of DNA using surface chemistry.
- Experience in conducting gel electrophoresis procedures.
- Gel electrophoresis are used to analyze banding patterns.
- Specialize in design and implementation of ELISA's for vaccine.
- Analyze samples with advance instrumentation, including HPLC and UV-visible spectroscopy.
- Develop methods for synthesizing possible breast cancer inhibitors through the use of NMR and HPLC.
- Construct genetic variants using DNA molecular techniques.
- Work under a professor in a chemistry lab performing different research experiments.
- Increase response to chemotherapy via induction of aberrant DNA replication during metastatic route.
- Help to develop new method for the identification of secondary RNA structure using Brewster angle reflective interferometry.
- Participate in several projects studying the genetic basis of hearing impairment using mutant mouse models generate via CRISPR technology.
- Start up and run QC on instruments, calibrations of instrumentation
- Enter ammonia and QC results in LIMS (laboratory information management system) with comments.
- Analyze past spatial patterns of forest encroachment by analyzing historic aerial photographs (implement image analyses using ENVI and ArcGIS).
Laboratory researcher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Laboratory Researchers are proficient in Lab Procedures, Cell Culture, and Molecular Biology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Researchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Procedures, 10%
Gained valuable laboratory experience, skills, and knowledge of lab procedures.
- Cell Culture, 7%
Isolated neural stem cells (NSC) from spinal cords for cell culture.
- Molecular Biology, 6%
Trained and actively contributing in projects utilizing techniques in modern molecular biology and molecular genetics.
- PCR, 6%
Devise protocols for laboratory research projects including: PBMC isolation, MTT Assay, and PCR.
- Chemistry, 5%
Worked under a professor in a chemistry lab performing different research experiments.
- R, 4%
Experience with E-Prime Psychology Research Software, Praat, R Studios, Microsoft Excel, and Eye-Tracking Software.
Most laboratory researchers use their skills in "lab procedures," "cell culture," and "molecular biology" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential laboratory researcher responsibilities here:
Observation skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a laboratory researcher 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 researchers often use observation skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "trained new volunteers and employees on lab procedures, paperwork, feedings and observation data collection. "
Communication skills. Many laboratory researcher duties rely on communication skills. "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways," so a laboratory researcher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways laboratory researcher responsibilities rely on communication skills: "ensured communication with stakeholders including professors, lab staff, and other research assistants. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory researchers are:
- Trellix50 laboratory researchers jobs
- Alcatel Networks Inc17 laboratory researchers jobs
- Nokia16 laboratory researchers jobs
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Compare different laboratory researchers
Laboratory researcher vs. Fellow
A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a laboratory researcher are more likely to require skills like "lab procedures," "cell culture," "molecular biology," and "chemistry." On the other hand, a job as a fellow requires skills like "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Fellows tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $67,978. In contrast, laboratory researchers make the biggest average salary, $30,412, in the education industry.fellows tend to reach higher levels of education than laboratory researchers. In fact, fellows are 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 10.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory researcher vs. Scientist
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that laboratory researcher responsibilities requires skills like "lab procedures," "pcr," "laboratory research," and "protein expression." But a scientist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "java," "product development," and "gmp."
Scientists may earn a higher salary than laboratory researchers, but scientists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $134,486. On the other hand, laboratory researchers receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,412.scientists earn higher levels of education than laboratory researchers in general. They're 8.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 10.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for laboratory researchers in the next 3-5 years?
John Turbeville Ph.D.
Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Career Services, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Laboratory researcher vs. Senior scientist
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from laboratory researcher resumes include skills like "lab procedures," "cell culture," "chemistry," and "laboratory research," whereas a senior scientist is more likely to list skills in "patients," "research projects," "java," and "project management. "
Senior scientists earn the best pay in the telecommunication industry, where they command an average salary of $107,016. Laboratory researchers earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $30,412.When it comes to education, senior scientists tend to earn higher degree levels compared to laboratory researchers. In fact, they're 7.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 26.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory researcher vs. Doctoral fellow
A doctoral fellow is a physician that has completed studies and receives a fellowship to cover his/her or her expenses while completing his/her or her medical dissertation. A doctor fellow undergoes this fellowship to get additional training for their chosen sub-specialty. During the fellowship period, a fellow can act as an attending physician or consultant physician with other physicians' direct supervision in the sub-specialty field.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between laboratory researchers and doctoral fellows, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a laboratory researcher might have more use for skills like "lab procedures," "molecular biology," "pcr," and "laboratory research." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of doctoral fellows require skills like "patients," "research projects," "cell biology," and "immunology. "
The pharmaceutical industry tends to pay the highest salaries for doctoral fellows, with average annual pay of $67,423. Comparatively, the highest laboratory researcher annual salary comes from the education industry.In general, doctoral fellows hold higher degree levels compared to laboratory researchers. Doctoral fellows are 6.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 43.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of laboratory researcher
Updated January 8, 2025
