Lab Assistant Job

[bjt223]

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I'm currently looking for a lab assistant in life science field, but I have no luck obtaining those positions. The main disadvantage I have was that I was a chemistry major with some research experience. However, my research was not based on life science / biology field. I'm currently live in Los Angeles, but it's so hard to get into a lab. So how does every one were able to get the job?

Thanks.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Whenever I found a PI that researched in what I am interested in (antibiotic resistance) I contact them asking if they were expecting openings in the near future. I found a PI that was hiring a post-doc, which I don't qualify for, and asked if he was expecting to hire a research assistant in the near future. He told me his lab is expanding in antibiotic resistance research, which is the only field I want to explore now since my current lab on type 1 diabetes made me realize I am more of a cell/microbiology type. Since I was interested in a very specific field, it took me months to find a PI that researched this field and happened to be hiring for a position I qualified for in the near future. However, given I was interested only in antibiotic resistance, impressing the PI was a simple job and he said he'd hire me when the lab expands in a couple months. This doesn't only benefit me. It also benefits the PI since they won't have to go through dozens of applications to hire someone who's a good fit.

If you do what everyone else does, wait for job postings then apply, it makes it hard to stand out.

Also, yes. It is hard to get into a lab. It took me 8 months before I found this PI. I contacted like 50 before him and all were something like "Sorry, I don't expect any openings in the near future." It just depends on you and how badly you want it.

Also, just so you know, a lab assistant is grunt work. Your work is not researched based. It's more like washing cages, preparing equipment. Very little research work. At least from my experience.

 

[MareNostrummm]

Also, just so you know, a lab assistant is grunt work. Your work is not researched based. It's more like washing cages, preparing equipment. Very little research work. At least from my experience.

You could still ask for your own independent side project. If your PI thinks you're competent they would probably give it to you even if you're just a lab assistant.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

If OP is patient and does the same thing I did, they won't need to settle for a lab assistant. I just hope you don't take as long as I did.

 

[MareNostrummm]

If OP is patient and does the same thing I did, they won't need to settle for a lab assistant. I just hope you don't take as long as I did.

What was your title then?

 

[JustAPhD]

If OP is patient and does the same thing I did, they won't need to settle for a lab assistant. I just hope you don't take as long as I did.

Your title doesn’t really matter.

Impress the PI and then have that conversation about possibly picking up your own project. Some PIs are open to it, some aren’t.

OP, you just have to be persistent. Like any job nowadays there are a lot of applicants for any particular position. Keep reaching out to PIs. If the PI is not hiring then perhaps they know of another PI who is looking for a person, or will be soon. Apply online too, but keep in mind some of these job openings are already filled by the time they get posted to the website.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

What was your title then?

Will be research assistant. I'm not hired yet. The PI did mention given my proactiveness, enthusiasm, and potential, he expects me to be assigned my own project within a few months, at which point, I would be promoted to a research associate.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Your title doesn’t really matter.

Impress the PI and then have that conversation about possibly picking up your own project. Some PIs are open to it, some aren’t.

OP, you just have to be persistent. Like any job nowadays there are a lot of applicants for any particular position. Keep reaching out to PIs. If the PI is not hiring then perhaps they know of another PI who is looking for a person, or will be soon. Apply online too, but keep in mind some of these job openings are already filled by the time they get posted to the website.

Check with them like every 3 months. Don't do it too often or you will irritate them.

 

[JustAPhD]

Check with them like every 3 months. Don't do it too often or you will irritate them.

Even that's pushing it.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Better yet, ask them are they writing any recommendation letters for graduate and/or professional school. Then you'll know if they're likely to have an opening in summer of 2018.

 

[JustAPhD]

Better yet, ask them are they writing any recommendation letters for graduate and/or professional school. Then you'll know if they're likely to have an opening in summer of 2018.

So you would just email a PI out of the blue asking them if they’re writing any LoR? Honestly that email goes right to the trash if I get that. Odd.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

So you would just email a PI out of the blue asking them if they’re writing any LoR? Honestly that email goes right to the trash if I get that. Odd.

Obviously, that's an odd question, that's why you provide an explanation. First introduce yourself, tell them you are interested in their work and if they expect any openings in the near future. If not, ask them if they wrote/are writing recommendation letters for anyone for this application cycle so you can get an idea of who would have potential openings next summer.

I didn't think I had to spell it out this elaborately...

 

[JustAPhD]

Obviously, that's an odd question, that's why you provide an explanation. First introduce yourself, tell them you are interested in their work and if they expect any openings in the near future. If not, ask them if they wrote/are writing recommendation letters for anyone for this application cycle so you can get an idea of who would have potential openings next summer.

I didn't think I had to spell it out this elaborately...

Lose the question about LoR regardless. It comes off as weird. Keep to asking about potential openings.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Or you can just ask if they know any of their lab workers are applying this cycle. Converse about their work the first email so you can gain an idea of how interesting their work is to you. No PI would want to hire someone who's not interested in their work.