What does a research laboratory technician do?
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
Research laboratory technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research laboratory technician resumes:
- Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
- Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
- Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
- Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
- Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
- Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.
- Culture HIV from patient specimens for assay in order to determine effectiveness of treatment.
- Perform tail DNA extractions, design primers, and optimize PCR conditions for genotyping mouse colony.
- Support the installation and bring-up of new equipment, troubleshoot existing failures and assist in preventative maintenance.
- Develop assay procedures to screen mouse, monkey & human samples by ELISA, and other immunological techniques.
- Perform variety of duties relate to laboratory works and samples handling including centrifuge, diesel extraction, adsorption and separation techniques.
- Assist the laboratory technician to perform quality checks of products being manufacture, observe employees and the facility for GMP violations.
- Lead trainer for new members of the team; provide training in all aspects of DNA purification on multiple extraction platforms.
- Perform ELISA and other general laboratory maintenance.
- Operate, maintain and troubleshoot sterilization equipment.
Research laboratory technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Research Laboratory Technicians are proficient in Patients, Chemistry, and Laboratory Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observational skills, Technical skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Laboratory Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 9%
Aided in interpreting clinical data regarding cancer prevention for nutrition intervention trials for post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients.
- Chemistry, 7%
Collected and performed analyses of patient samples using procedures and techniques developed for hematology/coagulation, microbiology and chemistry.
- Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Maintained laboratory budget, OSHA/EPA laboratory compliance, property inventory, laboratory equipment management, reagent and equipment procurement.
- Cell Culture, 5%
Provided technical assistance to Principal Investigator and lab personnel -Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, non- survival animal surgery.
- Research Data, 4%
Analyzed biological research data by performing routine statistical analysis
- Research Projects, 4%
Planned, performed, and analyzed research projects, including preparing necessary equipment and chemicals/formulas needed to run experiments.
"patients," "chemistry," and "laboratory equipment" are among the most common skills that research laboratory technicians use at work. You can find even more research laboratory technician responsibilities below, including:
Observational skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research laboratory technician to have is observational skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." Research laboratory technicians often use observational skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "research and data analysis: conduct and synthesize literature searches on study constructs to ensure observational procedures adhere to proposed measures. "
Technical skills. Another essential skill to perform research laboratory technician duties is technical skills. Research laboratory technicians responsibilities require that "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." Research laboratory technicians also use technical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "employed during summer breaks-conducted feasibility research projects on guar blend modification-documented results and summaries through technical reports"
Analytical skills. research laboratory technicians are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research laboratory technician responsibilities, because "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." A research laboratory technician resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "planned and performed various molecular biology techniques; documented and analyzed data/results to assist principal investigator and research scientists in experimentation. "
Communication skills. research laboratory technician responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." This resume example shows what research laboratory technicians do with communication skills on a typical day: "comforted patients and provided them with reassurance and encouragement exhibited compassionate care and communication with regard to issues of death and dying"
The three companies that hire the most research laboratory technicians are:
- University of Michigan32 research laboratory technicians jobs
- University of Southern California24 research laboratory technicians jobs
- University of Pennsylvania23 research laboratory technicians jobs
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Compare different research laboratory technicians
Research laboratory technician 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 similarities exist, there are also some differences between research laboratory technicians and microbiologist. For instance, research laboratory technician responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "chemistry," "laboratory equipment," and "cell culture." Whereas a microbiologist is skilled in "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "usp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Microbiologists earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $57,911. On the other hand, research laboratory technicians are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $42,600.microbiologists tend to reach similar levels of education than research laboratory technicians. In fact, microbiologists are 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Research laboratory technician vs. Professional research assistant
A professional research assistant works under the supervision of primary researchers leading research projects. Research assistants help the main researchers in different tasks supporting research activities. These tasks vary based on research conducted and their field. The assistants prepare the interview questions and provide a results summary. They respond to emails, participate in project meetings, and prepare progress reports. Skills necessary for this job include communication skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, scheduling, and planning.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real research laboratory technician resumes. While research laboratory technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "chemistry," "research data," "laboratory procedures," and "laboratory experiments," professional research assistants use skills like "professional research," "rna," "pathogens," and "patient care."
Professional research assistants earn similar levels of education than research laboratory technicians in general. They're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research laboratory technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.
Research laboratory technician vs. Assistant research scientist
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from research laboratory technician resumes include skills like "patients," "research data," "laboratory procedures," and "flow cytometry," whereas an assistant research scientist is more likely to list skills in "experimental design," "python," "analyze data," and "literature reviews. "
Assistant research scientists make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $71,080. On the other hand, research laboratory technicians are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $42,600.assistant research scientists typically earn higher educational levels compared to research laboratory technicians. Specifically, they're 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 13.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research laboratory technician vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Types of research laboratory technician
Updated January 8, 2025
