Does working as a lab assistant considered research?

[rocketbooster]

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I did a search on this but would like a little more info.

I was supposed to get an actual research job but looks like it may fall through. To make sure I do work in a lab, though, I am looking at this lab assistant job. You basically just clean glassware, make solutions, make media, etc. and "may" assist other PIs with other jobs around the lab. You don't get your own project, though, so I don't know. Is it worth doing?

Does it even count as research?

 

[beachblonde]

From your description, it sounds exactly like a lab assistant job-hence, not really research since you're not taking on the role of a researcher within the lab.

But hey, if you need a job, a job is a job. Maybe not the most original EC in the world but it's not detrimental. Hec, maybe you could work your way up to a research gig within that lab after working for a while.

 

[bigyihoroi]

that's not considered research...when med school ask if you did any research, washing glassware and making solutions is not research...research is usually when your PI allows you to either handle an independent project, say study the effect of this drug in this type of cell line, or participate as a member of his study. If I were you, I would ask ur PI if I stay there and work for say 6 months, will i get any chance of participating in your research. I know some PI does that. If you have no prior experience in research and want to participate in research, the best is to approach a PI and ask if you can voluntarily (key word: voluntarily) participate in his research. Most PI will say yes cuz they get free labor. Good luck 👍

 

[SarsMO]

At my school, it was very unlikely for an UG to start in a lab with a project (unless it was a special summer program). You kind of had to work your way up. The prof I worked for told me straight up that if I was there for four months he would be able to move me into a project, and he did. The only thing is you really need to show a prof that you're in it for the long haul (i.e. you want to work there until graduation). Show them you are responsible, reliable and can handle small tasks and you'll advance quickly enough.

 

[flaahless]

I'm really sorry, but if you're not involved in the creative process, then it's not really research. BUT, you can write your description in such a way that it sounds like research and you may be able to get away with it. You didn't hear that from me though.

 

[ChePibe]

I think research is pretty clear cut: no project, no research. Just start doing the dirty work and then they may give you a chance at a project when they get to know you better. I started doing that and after a week I was in charge of one of the main projects in the lab.
Hope this helps.

 

[Maxwell Edison]

Yeah, I'm going to go with no. If you do settle into a project position, I suppose that you could say you've been "in the lab" for a longer time, but in fairness, you can't call this research.

 

[rocketbooster]

I'm really sorry, but if you're not involved in the creative process, then it's not really research. BUT, you can write your description in such a way that it sounds like research and you may be able to get away with it. You didn't hear that from me though.

yeah, I mean, here's the info for the job:

" Make media for nematode growth and microbiology.
Wash and sterilize (autoclave) glassware.
Make chemical solutions for lab use.
General lab cleanup and maintenance.
Assist laboratory research staff and PI with other lab tasks. "

So, yeah, basically what you all hinted at. It still gives you lab experience, though. My problem is that I did research for 2 years, but it was more in the environmental/ecological area, and I want to get involved in some biomedical research now. So, I basically have to start from the beginning since my experience did not deal with culturing, PCRing, blotting, etc.

 

[Lukkie]

Put it this way - if a paper/abstract was to result from the research, would your name be on it?

 

[rocketbooster]

Put it this way - if a paper/abstract was to result from the research, would your name be on it?

hmm, I don't know about that...that's basically insinuating that your work has to be published in order to consider what you worked on research experience. The 2 years of "research" I have resulted in poster boards with my names on them, not publications. I'm pretty sure what I did still counted as research.

I don't know...if what you said is the case, then like only 5% of med school applicants have research, which definitely isn't true.

Don't you think med schools are primarily interested that you have experience in the research process itself? They probably want to see an interest in research so that they know you will contribute to research in med school and as a physician. There is nothing they hate more than physicians who only have a practice and are not involved with research, or so I have been told by physicians. They straight up tell me, "Med schools would not like me as an applicant or use me as an example of what they want in a physician since I only see patients and do no research." I think even a lab assistant job would show that interest in research? At least you're trying to become involved?

I'm not sure...you guys tell me.

 

[Lukkie]

hmm, I don't know about that...that's basically insinuating that your work has to be published in order to consider what you worked on research experience. The 2 years of "research" I have resulted in poster boards with my names on them, not publications. I'm pretty sure what I did still counted as research.

I don't know...if what you said is the case, then like only 5% of med school applicants have research, which definitely isn't true.

Don't you think med schools are primarily interested that you have experience in the research process itself? They probably want to see an interest in research so that they know you will contribute to research in med school and as a physician. There is nothing they hate more than physicians who only have a practice and are not involved with research, or so I have been told by physicians. They straight up tell me, "Med schools would not like me as an applicant or use me as an example of what they want in a physician since I only see patients and do no research." I think even a lab assistant job would show that interest in research? At least you're trying to become involved?

I'm not sure...you guys tell me.

my suggestion was a sufficient but not necessary clause. of course we can extend the definition to poster presentations. then we would ask, if a poster was presented would your name be on it. for the OP's situation I highly doubt it.

 

[rocketbooster]

my suggestion was a sufficient but not necessary clause. of course we can extend the definition to poster presentations. then we would ask, if a poster was presented would your name be on it. for the OP's situation I highly doubt it.

What if the name is mentioned on the bottom of the poster but not as, say, the 2 names/coauthors under the title? Is that still legit? Maybe somewhat legit?

 

[m_rivera84]

What if the name is mentioned on the bottom of the poster but not as, say, the 2 names/coauthors under the title? Is that still legit? Maybe somewhat legit?

Like a "special thanks to:"? Probably not... doesn't show significant contribution or learning. While your job description does mention that you're helping other people out in their project, I don't think that counts.

On the other hand, if you were taken under the wing of one of those researchers, and they gave you a significant part to do for one particular project, that would count. That, and an independent project where you are the main person in charge of getting it done.

 

[rocketbooster]

Like a "special thanks to:"? Probably not... doesn't show significant contribution or learning. While your job description does mention that you're helping other people out in their project, I don't think that counts.

On the other hand, if you were taken under the wing of one of those researchers, and they gave you a significant part to do for one particular project, that would count. That, and an independent project where you are the main person in charge of getting it done.

Yeah, that was the case. I collected all the data, without it being checked and whatnot (I would hope they would trust me! haha), for a substantial part of the project. I would say 30-40% of the data came from me. Unfortunately, I did not get to aid in creating the poster. There wasn't too much to write, so the professor did it. Anyways, I think it counts, or I'll word it if I am asked about it later so that it does. I was involved as much as possible for the lab I was in. It's just that 95% of the work was data collection.

And, no, there was no cleaning, making media, etc. for them. I did all of the preparation, obtained the results, and collected them on my own. This new lab assistant job, though, does fit what others are saying as just a clean-up job hehe.