Lab Assistant Job

[Heyeon]

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Since I will probably work as a Lab/Research assistant during my year off between college and med school, I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of credentials are reqd for this job?

 

[Rotinaj1985]

My understanding for research is that the credentials are pretty small...actually, you probably don't even need a degree. On the other hand if you're doing clinical research stuff, thats when certification becomes an issue.

On your year off, don't lay off the volunteering.

 

[Concordia]

Actually the requirements would depend on where you are looking for you job, and what exactly qualifies you as a Lab/Research assistant in your neck of the woods. If you are looking to run around washing dishes and preparing reagents, then you need very little. However, if you are looking for a research position, the requirements will vary. You might need a degree in the area you will be working in as well as research experience.
First thing you should do is start doing some research online looking at the research jobs you want and the requirements they require (both the public and the private sector).
Good luck

 

[etf]

a pulse.

 

[etf]

although i'm a research assistant, and it's been a really fantastic experience for me - they didn't make me prepare reagents or anything like that; i actually got to design/carry out experiments and stuff. so i guess it all depends on what each individual lab considers the duties of a lab asst.

 

[Bond8204]

For my position a bachelor of science in a basic science was required. I had very little laboratory experience when applying, which I'm confident was a negative. What I did do on my resume which I think worked very well was a "Relevant Laboratory Experience" section where I listed some of the procedures (PCR, gel electrophoresis, sample lysis...) we had done in our general science labs. If you have relevant experience, great--make sure you list that prominently. Otherwise I suggest doing something like I did.

I also recommend that you apply broadly. In the end I think I applied to over 100 positions. Of those, I probably only heard from 20, period. Of those 20 I was invited for 4 interviews. Of the 2 of those interviews I took, one offered me the job (I would've taken the other two if I were still looking). I also applied to pretty major medical universities, though (Northwestern, UChicago, Rush, Loyola). I recommend you go on their websites where they list research technologist/technician/assistant positions and apply to every one you're remotely qualified for.

You're also a little early. I might hold off until the beginning of April. Finally, being able to relocate from home and apply nationally would help too. Good luck. My job has been great experience.

 

[etf]

For my position a bachelor of science in a basic science was required. I had very little laboratory experience when applying, which I'm confident was a negative. What I did do on my resume which I think worked very well was a "Relevant Laboratory Experience" section where I listed some of the procedures (PCR, gel electrophoresis, sample lysis...) we had done in our general science labs. If you have relevant experience, great--make sure you list that prominently. Otherwise I suggest doing something like I did.

I also recommend that you apply broadly. In the end I think I applied to over 100 positions. Of those, I probably only heard from 20, period. Of those 20 I was invited for 4 interviews. Of the 2 of those interviews I took, one offered me the job (I would've taken the other two if I were still looking). I also applied to pretty major medical universities, though (Northwestern, UChicago, Rush, Loyola). I recommend you go on their websites where they list research technologist/technician/assistant positions and apply to every one you're remotely qualified for.

You're also a little early. I might hold off until the beginning of April. Finally, being able to relocate from home and apply nationally would help too. Good luck. My job has been great experience.

i had 0 lab experience, unless you count undergrad science lab courses, which no one does. i applied to hundreds of jobs and didn't get any response. i was only able to get the job i have now through connections. it's so hard because you need a job to get the experience, but you need experience to get a job. the classic pre-med catch-22.

 

[Bond8204]

exactly. i always found that ironic. They'd be looking for a position of "Research Technologist 1" which I assume would mean low-level-experience research techs. Then 1 year of experience would be a requisite.

I would also apply to anything that says "1 year experience required" as well, op.

 

[Blade28]

Depends what you'll be doing.

Basic tech work? Don't need much experience.

Actually doing lab work? Probably at least a BS.

 

[Heyeon]

Thanks everyone for the tips!! I should have mentioned a bit about my background...I already have a good research experience and am currently working as a Research Assistant at the University Hospital of Berlin (2 semesters).

 

[SketchLazy]

Since I will probably work as a Lab/Research assistant during my year off between college and med school, I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of credentials are reqd for this job?

To work as a lab assistant, you will need a degree, prior lab experience (ie dish washing, autoclaving, mixing water with what was most likely salt) and a willingness to lie about your future career goals of wanting to go into medicine.

I went through the same thing Bond went through. I had no prior lab experience which was a huge negative. I applied to temp positions, and 20-30 regular positions and got 3-5 interviews and 1 offer. Academic labs will reserve the easy lab tech positions for their undergrads with work-study because it's cheaper for them, so you are left with the more competitive lab positions that require experience. For those positions, they usually want a long term commitment so they will make probing questions about your career goals to figure out if your going to leave. Questions and statements like:

'Where do you picture yourself in 5 years?'
'You have a pretty high GPA, why aren't you going for a higher degree?'
'I see you did community service.'

are their ways of figuring out your a pre-med wasting their time. Good luck.

 

[SketchLazy]

Thanks everyone for the tips!! I should have mentioned a bit about my background...I already have a good research experience and am currently working as a Research Assistant at the University Hospital of Berlin (2 semesters).

Oh. You have experience. Now, all you have to do is convince them your not wasting their time by hiring a pre-med student which is the hardest part.