does being a research tech count as "research"?

[sundays24]

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i know it depends on what exactly your role was as a research tech. but in general, how do adcoms look upon it? it seems like a pretty typical gap year experience. also, would research tech experience help me get a research position in medical school?

i'm applying to gap year jobs right now; there are some listings that just straight-up describe lab rats, and others that describe opportunities for publications and independent decision-making. up to this point i'd been pretty set on doing something involved in bench research in my gap years. but if i'm going to be stuck as a lab rat, and if that doesn't help me much in med school admissions or open future research doors for me, i'd rather take a less stressful job in clinical research, even though i do like the challenge of bench research (volunteered in a lab in undergrad. also have some clinical research experience, but just enrolling and interviewing patients and not designing studies)

 

[Lawpy]

the purpose of research is to see whether you understand how science is done. this is why independence, experiment design, and data analysis are important. research tech jobs depend on the type of job, but if it's just carrying out protocols, it's not really research. doing experiments is important but understanding why they are done is critical

if the tech job is just carrying out protocols, ditch it. clinical research is a much better option. or look for translational research opportunities that combine both basic science and clinical research

 

[Fluffy123]

I would go with the clinical research approach and get some publications

 

[aldol16]

Forget about titles. That applies to just about everything. Research tech or not, it's what you're actually doing that matters. Some research techs have a lot of independent responsibility and carry out their own projects. Others clean the glassware, manage lab supplies, autoclave equipment, etc. Similarly, it's what you do in that position that will determine whether it will help you get a research position in the future. If you're interested in a specific lab for the future, then doing research in that field or a closely allied field would help you get a position in that lab.

 

[Gibbward]

Ask about the role you will play in these positions if you get interviews. Ask if there is room for you to get some independent projects once you get accustomed to the lab protocols and what the potential is for getting pubs.

And if anything else, you can always list that position as a Full-Time employment thing for your application.

 

[cranialLOOP]

Echoing everyone above: Take whatever role offers you independence and experience in designing and analyzing research. Clinical research does this AND typically also gives you clinical hours!

The role of a lab rat is as miserable to hear about as it is to read about.