"Uniqueness" of Research Position

[Youngm2194]

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I am applying this upcoming cycle and by the time I would (hopefully) matriculate I would have worked full time for 2 years as a research tech/lab manager. I was just wondering if my situation would stand out more compared to others since I feel a decent amount of applicants have similar positions.

I applied to many research tech jobs and accepted one, but little did I know the lab was just starting and I was the first hire. Fast forward to now, almost a year later, and I still am the only member of the lab (postdoc and another tech being hired in June). I've essentially ran an entire lab on my own for a year with just the PI and I. I don't want to go into too much detail for anonymity but I helped set up the lab in the beginning, ordered all the big equipment, coordinated transfer of animals, maintain mouse colony of at least 200-300 mice on my own, breed and GT them, do all the tissue sectioning and immunohistochemistry (even teach it to other labs now), and essentially all the technical aspects besides behavioral experiments on my own.

Does this seem unique compared to others? I know many will apply with similar positions, but will the application have space to explain this in detail? I've enjoyed the experience very much as I became very good at time management and coordinating things on my own

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Your title isn't nearly as important as your responsibilities, achievements, and your ability to articulate what you have learned.

 

[LizzyM]

This is noteworthy. As mentioned above, report your responsibilities, achievements and the skill set you've acquired.

 

[mimelim]

I am applying this upcoming cycle and by the time I would (hopefully) matriculate I would have worked full time for 2 years as a research tech/lab manager. I was just wondering if my situation would stand out more compared to others since I feel a decent amount of applicants have similar positions.

I applied to many research tech jobs and accepted one, but little did I know the lab was just starting and I was the first hire. Fast forward to now, almost a year later, and I still am the only member of the lab (postdoc and another tech being hired in June). I've essentially ran an entire lab on my own for a year with just the PI and I. I don't want to go into too much detail for anonymity but I helped set up the lab in the beginning, ordered all the big equipment, coordinated transfer of animals, maintain mouse colony of at least 200-300 mice on my own, breed and GT them, do all the tissue sectioning and immunohistochemistry (even teach it to other labs now), and essentially all the technical aspects besides behavioral experiments on my own.

Does this seem unique compared to others? I know many will apply with similar positions, but will the application have space to explain this in detail? I've enjoyed the experience very much as I became very good at time management and coordinating things on my own

It will not stand out compared to any other job held for 2 years. Now, that having been said, the number of pre-meds that have held a manager level position for 2 years and done well at it is limited, so in that sense, it is 'different'. I personally consider this to be valuable in applicants at both the medical student and resident level. It is noteworthy because the skill set is of high demand and uncommon among applicants.

But, something to keep in mind... managing a lab or an office is not research. Doing the technical parts of experiments and teaching others is not research. And trying to sell the position as such is liable to leave a bad taste in people's mouths.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

It will not stand out compared to any other job held for 2 years. Now, that having been said, the number of pre-meds that have held a manager level position for 2 years and done well at it is limited, so in that sense, it is 'different'. I personally consider this to be valuable in applicants at both the medical student and resident level. It is noteworthy because the skill set is of high demand and uncommon among applicants.

But, something to keep in mind... managing a lab or an office is not research. Doing the technical parts of experiments and teaching others is not research. And trying to sell the position as such is liable to leave a bad taste in people's mouths.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "technical parts"?

 

[efle]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "technical parts"?

Lets say I'm interested in whether Drug X at Dose Y damages mouse brain Region Z.

The tech(s) that keeps the mice alive, feeds them the dosed food, sections their brain to have damage examined etc is not doing research. The postdoc/PhD candidate/whoever designed it is.

At least that's my guess.

 

[Goro]

Agree 1000% with my learned colleague

This is noteworthy. As mentioned above, report your responsibilities, achievements and the skill set you've acquired.

 

[mimelim]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "technical parts"?

Performing experiments that others designed. Ordering animals, etc. All of which is valuable as a skill set, but it is not doing research. It is not work that gets your name on publications.

 

[LizzyM]

Performing experiments that others designed. Ordering animals, etc. All of which is valuable as a skill set, but it is not doing research. It is not work that gets your name on publications.

Agree with this assessment of research but in my experience adcoms will give this a tick mark in the research box at the lowest level (tech support of research). It can also be a way of demonstrating organizational skills, time management, and systems thinking. Those are all valuable and, as mentioned, most applicants don't have 2 years of full-time experience in any job so this is unusual and desirable.

 

[flip_08]

I had some research experiences similar to yours and it seemed to be looked on favorably as well as support my application as a student a few years removed from school who was a bit more mature, however it won't excuse any other flaws in your app. All the gpa, mcat, and volunteer requirements still stand. This position is icing on the cake, not the cake itself. Any applicant who sends time away from school is expected to be doing something meaningful with that time.

 

[Youngm2194]

Sorry for the confusion but I think the title I have of research technician would throw some people off. I do help design the experiments and help design the protocols as well. I meant technical in terms of me not doing the behavioral tests. I do all of the immunostaining, cut all the brains, do mouse running wheel experiments, stain for neurogenesis and count new cells. I don't design all of the experiments since my PI does that but my opinion has been taken into account every step of the way since I'm the only one. For example the last two days I've optimized a protocol to stain for brain damage in specific mice and seeing the difference between certain types which will then help develop what to do for the next experiments. I essentially provide all of the data from running the experiments although I don't design all of them. Also as of now I'm second author on the paper that will eventually be published.

If anyone is curious with more specifics and to where I work PM me

 

[efle]

Also as of now I'm second author on the paper that will eventually be published.

Second...out of two, right?

Are you doing any fully independent project work? Where you fully design what to do and then just get PI to approve it? Or is it always you giving them feedback on what they've designed?

 

[Youngm2194]

Second...out of two, right?

Are you doing any fully independent project work? Where you fully design what to do and then just get PI to approve it? Or is it always you giving them feedback on what they've designed?

No since the lab is new its a continuation of stuff from PIs prev. lab, so I am 2 out of 7, PI is first author, last author is my PIs old PI from previous lab

And no not independent yet but maybe soon since more people are being hired so I might have more opportunity to pursue my own project. I also just graduated college less than a year ago so I'm not sure if they let people below postdocs normally do their own thing (outside of an internship etc.)

 

[Goro]

You're doing fine.

Sorry for the confusion but I think the title I have of research technician would throw some people off. I do help design the experiments and help design the protocols as well. I meant technical in terms of me not doing the behavioral tests. I do all of the immunostaining, cut all the brains, do mouse running wheel experiments, stain for neurogenesis and count new cells. I don't design all of the experiments since my PI does that but my opinion has been taken into account every step of the way since I'm the only one. For example the last two days I've optimized a protocol to stain for brain damage in specific mice and seeing the difference between certain types which will then help develop what to do for the next experiments. I essentially provide all of the data from running the experiments although I don't design all of them. Also as of now I'm second author on the paper that will eventually be published.

If anyone is curious with more specifics and to where I work PM me