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What does a research and development technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Suely Black Ph.D.
What does a research and development technician do

A research and development technician specializes in performing mathematical and laboratory operations to support projects concerning products and development. Usually functioning as an assistant to a more experienced researcher, a research and development technician's responsibilities revolve around conducting analysis, building models and prototypes, producing reports, and performing various experiments. Furthermore, as a technician, it is crucial to coordinate with all team members, keeping an accurate record of all processes while adhering to the company's standards and regulations.

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Research and development technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research and development technician resumes:

  • Lead team to standardize test procedures and develop test database to achieve UL approve test laboratory status.
  • Develop BlazeMaster and TempRite products and achieve CSA, UL and NSF approvals.
  • Design and manage the infrastructure of a quality management system to support regulate clinical and non-clinical GLP studies.
  • Manage customer support, and administered/instal office mini-computers and PC network.
  • General laboratory duties; coordinate maintenance of equipment, maintain ingredient and prototype inventory, manage shipping and receiving.
  • Manage project from conceptual design through final debugging and animal/clinical testing resulting in a new business unit within the company.
  • Characterize thin film coatings, using UV/VIS, FTIR and NIR spectroscopy.
  • Train employees as well as overseas technicians to test, troubleshoot, upgrade and maintain computer relate test equipment.
  • Perform wet chemistry testing to support incoming chemicals/materials per USP methodologies.
  • Determine through statistical analysis whether these mutations increase susceptibility or resistance of patients to cancer and overall/recurrence-free survival of patients.
  • Implement and support WATSON LIMS.
  • Implement engineering changes on PCB's.
  • Process precious metal pellets for XRF analysis.
  • Conduct fundamental research into the development of ICP detectors.
  • Design and create PowerPoint training tutorials for new hire employees.

Research and development technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Research And Development Technicians are proficient in R, Project Management, and Product Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Technical skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Research And Development Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • R, 13%

    Develop statistical analysis solutions using Bayes Statistics and R for quality control and marketing

  • Project Management, 6%

    Represented Fisher-Price Brands during corporate implementation of a global project management and collaboration system for Mattel and all of its subsidiaries.

  • Product Management, 5%

    Position: Java DeveloperProduct Management tool enables product development with the functionality to create and update product and plan benefits.

  • Product Development, 5%

    Produced functional requirements, design specifications, and prototypes insuring successful product development efforts; time-to-market typically reduced by 20%.

  • Business Development, 4%

    Conducted information searches for new business development; researched developing technologies and potential joint ventures; assisted in patent defenses.

  • Strong Analytical, 4%

    Utilized strong analytical, quantitative, and problem solving skills when conducting tests, recording and processing data using established forms.

Most research and development technicians use their skills in "r," "project management," and "product management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research and development technician responsibilities here:

Technical skills. The most essential soft skill for a research and development technician to carry out their responsibilities is technical skills. This skill is important for the role because "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." Additionally, a research and development technician resume shows how their duties depend on technical skills: "provided essential technical support to devices and personnel during fda clinical trials that solved problems encountered during trials. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform research and development technician duties is analytical skills. Research and development technicians responsibilities require that "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Research and development technicians also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "prepared fda product specification and test analysis reports. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of research and development technicians is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday research and development technician duties, as "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created and managed documentation outlining testing and component level repair on telecommunications equipment in accordance with iso 9002 specifications. "

See the full list of research and development technician skills

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Compare different research and development technicians

Research and development technician vs. Biology laboratory assistant

A biology laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting scientists or researchers and performing laboratory support tasks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include setting up and sanitizing equipment, preparing samples, maintaining documentation of all experiments and procedures, writing laboratory reports, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they must update databases, answer calls and correspondence, and grade student papers. Furthermore, a biology laboratory assistant must maintain the cleanliness of laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.

If we compare the average research and development technician annual salary with that of a biology laboratory assistant, we find that biology laboratory assistants typically earn a $49,312 lower salary than research and development technicians make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both research and development technician and biology laboratory assistant positions are skilled in lab equipment, powerpoint, and data analysis.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research and development technician responsibilities require skills like "r," "project management," "product management," and "product development." Meanwhile a typical biology laboratory assistant has skills in areas such as "biology laboratory," "chemistry," "anatomy," and "physiology." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Biology laboratory assistants tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,128. In contrast, research and development technicians make the biggest average salary, $95,084, in the technology industry.On average, biology laboratory assistants reach lower levels of education than research and development technicians. Biology laboratory assistants are 6.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Research and development technician 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.

A career as a laboratory internship brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a research and development technician. In fact, laboratory interns salary is $48,247 lower than the salary of research and development technicians per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Research and development technicians and laboratory interns both require similar skills like "r," "lab equipment," and "powerpoint" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research and development technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "project management," "product management," "product development," and "digital transformation." Meanwhile, a laboratory internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Laboratory interns may earn a lower salary than research and development technicians, but laboratory interns earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $48,851. On the other hand, research and development technicians receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,084.In general, laboratory interns achieve similar levels of education than research and development technicians. They're 4.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research and development technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Suely Black Ph.D.Suely Black Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Chemistry, Norfolk State University

We cannot predict what new technologies will emerge, so it is essential to be adaptable and comfortable with learning how to use all kinds of techniques, mostly those that connect people.

Research and development technician vs. Microbiological laboratory technician

A microbiological laboratory technician specializes in handling and testing samples, ensuring accuracy and safety. Often working under the supervision of a more experienced scientist, a microbiological laboratory technician has the responsibility to operate various devices and machines, record all progress and data, review results, and produce reports and documentation. There are also instances when a technician must submit results within deadlines or follow a senior scientist's directives. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to the safety policies and rules of the laboratory at all times.

An average microbiological laboratory technician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of research and development technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to microbiological laboratory technicians earning a $44,839 lower average salary than research and development technicians.By looking over several research and development technicians and microbiological laboratory technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "r," "lab equipment," and "fda." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research and development technician is likely to be skilled in "project management," "product management," "product development," and "digital transformation," while a typical microbiological laboratory technician is skilled in "microbiology lab," "laboratory procedures," "aseptic technique," and "food safety."

Microbiological laboratory technicians make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $39,707. On the other hand, research and development technicians are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $95,084.When it comes to education, microbiological laboratory technicians tend to earn lower degree levels compared to research and development technicians. In fact, they're 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Research and development technician vs. Wildlife technician

A wildlife technician is responsible for supporting wildlife biologists and management personnel on conducting research projects for habitat preservation and environmental welfare. Wildlife technicians create data reports, assist in laboratory examinations, collect biological samples, and maintaining the safety and security of the premises by observing surveillance equipment and adhering to safety policies and protocols. They also operate and inspect the efficiency of tools and equipment, provide routine maintenance, and request immediate repairs as necessary. A wildlife technician helps in planning wildlife programs and managing information dissemination to the public.

Wildlife technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of research and development technicians. The difference is about $50,090 per year.According to resumes from research and development technicians and wildlife technicians, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "powerpoint," "data analysis," and "data collection. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "r," "project management," "product management," and "product development" are skills that commonly show up on research and development technician resumes. On the other hand, wildlife technicians use skills like gps, hand tools, harvest, and data entry on their resumes.The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for wildlife technicians, with average annual pay of $37,047. Comparatively, the highest research and development technician annual salary comes from the technology industry.In general, wildlife technicians hold lower degree levels compared to research and development technicians. Wildlife technicians are 6.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of research and development technician

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.

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