I will have a year off from school. My researcher adviser told me that it would be good to be a lab technician instead of a 8 week research project in the summer? What do they do? Do you know any good place to work in New Jersey? How to get started in working in a lab? Are there better jobs to do?
Working as a Lab Tecinician?
- Thread starter jdla
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2007
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
I work in a lab as a lab assistant in the microbiology department... In a lab there are Medical Lab Techs which are lab technician and Medical Technologist. To be a lab tech i believe you have to take the courses at a vocational school...im not sure tho...they have to be licensed...Working as a lab tech in an area such as microbiology will just give you a better understanding about the diagnostic test ordered when a patient is in the hospital...it could also make you a better doctor...the physicians in our lab are clueless when it comes to ordering test for his or her patients...
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2006
- Messages
- 1,576
- Reaction score
- 25
Get a publication... If you can't get a publication then don't do it, unless you really love research...
(Advice from someone who is not a huge fan of research)
(Advice from someone who is not a huge fan of research)
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,073
- Reaction score
- 2
apply to lab tech jobs at universities, you don't need any type of certification, usually just a degree or some type of experience if you don't have a degree. Go to any of the universities websites and just apply for every job they have, even if you don't necessarily meet all the requirements. (Apply broadly...it's like applying to med school, only cheaper😀).
You'll be working in science around a lot of other focused really intelligent people. Take advantage of the situation and learn as much as you can. My PI is an MD, not only do I get to do lab work but I'm also starting to get involved in the clinical side of things too. It's a good way to go, even if you don't get published, which if you only want to put in a year might not happen.
You'll be working in science around a lot of other focused really intelligent people. Take advantage of the situation and learn as much as you can. My PI is an MD, not only do I get to do lab work but I'm also starting to get involved in the clinical side of things too. It's a good way to go, even if you don't get published, which if you only want to put in a year might not happen.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2007
- Messages
- 143
- Reaction score
- 1
Lab technician: To sum it up, you will be everyone else's btich. You do the stuff those doing research 'can't be bothered to do.' This isn't to say that you won't be involved in the research at all, because you may, depending on the job, but you'll likely be responsible for day-to-day running of the lab also (autoclaving, making sure things are ordered etc).
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2007
- Messages
- 110
- Reaction score
- 0
This isn't true.
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,073
- Reaction score
- 2
Not usually true...
I don't do any of that stuff...if you work at a large university or in industry they usually have people in the building that are hired specifically to do this stuff for all of the labs.
I work in a lab with lots of funding but only a few people and from the first day I started working I've been thrown into research. Been here a little over a year and I have several of my own projects.
If you're only doing this to increase your chances of medical school I would say do not do this! I am currently making that mistake and regret it big time! I'm a technician and I don't do any "bitch" work. I do work to further the PI's study which is often repetitive and mundane. In fact, I'm supposed to be counting cells right now. Although, I'll be written in as an author of this current paper and had the option to start my own project, it totally is not worth it unless you actually like research. Do something that you'd like to do for a year. Right now, I'm looking at a marketing internship or construction work to finish my year off!
To sum it up: 👎
To sum it up: 👎
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2007
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 0
I currently work as a tech in a medical school but under a PhD. I'm in a huge lab and it's been fun, learned a lot. But very few projects are related to medicine. Research is good to do once if you don't have a lot of experience with it, you'll quickly learn whether or not it's for you. I'd just try to find an MD to work for instead of a PhD. I agree with other posts that you should do something you like, but medical schools probably want to see something somewhat medical/scientific for your year off. If you're only doing it for applications that is.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,454
- Reaction score
- 30
In my lab our senior lab tech/lab manager is in charge of all the maintenance and ordering, MSDS, safety equipment, etc. He also does a load of glass wash every few weeks (our old building had a guy who did all the glass wash and autoclaving for the building), mostly so the rest of us don't break the washer, but everyone is responsible for their own autoclaving.
I'd say I spend about 20% of my time doing scut work or paperwork (I autoclave for some of the others since I do it once a week anyways, plus in the past one of the post-docs clogged the drain so I'm not sure if I trust them), 60% of my time helping others (I'm in charge of our animal models so most experiments that have to do with the animals I'm involved with), and the remainder on my own projects.
I'd say I spend about 20% of my time doing scut work or paperwork (I autoclave for some of the others since I do it once a week anyways, plus in the past one of the post-docs clogged the drain so I'm not sure if I trust them), 60% of my time helping others (I'm in charge of our animal models so most experiments that have to do with the animals I'm involved with), and the remainder on my own projects.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2007
- Messages
- 137
- Reaction score
- 0
Working in a lab can be a great experience, or a terrible one. When you interview try to determine if the PI you'll be working under is going to invest time in teaching you, and if you are going to be given a great deal of autonomy. Basically, determine if you will be treated as a student, colleague, or cheap tool for analyzing/churning out data. Good luck!
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2007
- Messages
- 318
- Reaction score
- 0
As many other have said, if you like research, it can be a wonderful opportunity. If you get a position at a bigger university, hopefully in a lab with good funding, you won't necessarily be a lab tech. It's very likely you would be a research assistant or a junior scientist. I am a lab tech in my gap year, and a lot of the non-research, so-called "lab b-tch" work is done by numerous undergrads. I have been hired expressely to assist with research and it has been a great, albeit stressful, experience.
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,073
- Reaction score
- 2
Stressful, yes!!
My PI tells me tonight at 6pm, (I'd been at work since 7am and about 44 hours for the week) that I need to have an abstract done for conference submission tomorrow on data that's not even finished yet...sweet, no problem! He then tells me he's really picky about abstracts so he'll be surprised if there's even a sentence of mine left when he's finished going through it, so why am I bothering then?
Just finishing now, I think. A 16 hour day, around 50 hours for the week with all day tomorrow and the weekend to go...no overtime...
I must really love this or I'm just a pushover 😀
at least I get a free trip out of it...
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
- Messages
- 28
- Reaction score
- 0
You can formally apply by checking school websites or you can use connections. I'm a lab tech in a neuroscience lab that I interned in. I actually have my own research projects that I'm getting funding for and then I do other jobs in the lab as well. I might even have the chance to write a paper and get published! I think being a lab tech is better than doing an 8 week summer research project.
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2007
- Messages
- 257
- Reaction score
- 1
Yea very true dat....in addition to that, if you are at a school, they pay you peanuts!!! I am totally disinterested in my job right now and looking for a second job. Cannot afford anything😡. That's why I am on SDN instead of working
. So and so, being someone's-bitch-aspects of the job show up now and again, but...yea if you do not like research that much, being stuck at it for a year with no hope sucks.!!!
But on the good side, it enhances your med school application.
Talk about cell counting
!!!!!!!!!- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,462
- Reaction score
- 7
Lab Tech=Lab Manager
You are essentially responsible for keeping things running smoothly in the lab so the PI doesn't have to worry about the day to day workings. This can include making sure that the lab is up to safety and all lab chores are done. Hopefully, the lab has someone to do most of the scut work while you supervise, but you will be responsible for picking up the slack. That being said, you'll also likely have a small research project to work on as well. I'd recommend a smaller lab, because you'll have a bigger role in doing the research than a lab full of grads and post docs, where you may play more of a supportive role.
If you're planning on applying to medical school during this time, Lab tech is probably one of the best jobs you can get, because you'll have a lot more flexibility in scheduling your hours around applications/interviews than you would at any other "real world" job.
You are essentially responsible for keeping things running smoothly in the lab so the PI doesn't have to worry about the day to day workings. This can include making sure that the lab is up to safety and all lab chores are done. Hopefully, the lab has someone to do most of the scut work while you supervise, but you will be responsible for picking up the slack. That being said, you'll also likely have a small research project to work on as well. I'd recommend a smaller lab, because you'll have a bigger role in doing the research than a lab full of grads and post docs, where you may play more of a supportive role.
If you're planning on applying to medical school during this time, Lab tech is probably one of the best jobs you can get, because you'll have a lot more flexibility in scheduling your hours around applications/interviews than you would at any other "real world" job.
- Joined
- May 6, 2007
- Messages
- 124
- Reaction score
- 0
OP- if you are looking for things in philadelphia, I did a summer program at HUP and I know most of the students were offered gap year jobs from that program. The good thing about that verses just applying for a bunch of tech jobs is that they will give you a project as part of the summer program and the year is a chance to continue it. This way you are less likely to just be doing everyone else's b*tch work. PM me if you want any info on the program
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2007
- Messages
- 61
- Reaction score
- 1
You can do a postbac research program at the NIH called IRTA. If you pick the right group you will be able to do independent research instead of being a lab technician, that is, if you like research. You can check out the program at this website:
http://www.training.nih.gov/student/Pre-IRTA/previewpostbac.asp
Is this program available in NJ or just certain states?
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2003
- Messages
- 1,444
- Reaction score
- 4
Guess what: You're doing the bitch work.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 5,474
- Reaction score
- 56
haha. That was hilarious.
Guys, this completely depends on your PI. Some PIs will use the lab technician to keep the lab running smoothly, but will also give them a project/meaningful work to do. You just have to ask your PI what your responsibilities will be, and if there's any hope that you'll be involved in the construction of research paradigms, or analysis of data, etc...
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2006
- Messages
- 1,312
- Reaction score
- 2
Maybe, but lab techs where I work don't supervise at all and are responsible for the "meat" of the testing. It's mostly this way throughout industry, but I'm not so sure about academics.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2007
- Messages
- 2,760
- Reaction score
- 4
lab tech is a very broad term. it really depends on where you are working. and even then, it depends on the lab itself. who is running the lab, what they expect out of someone in your position etc.
and we can see it in this thread, some of the 'techs' are doing fun work with cells and seeing how they grow, while other 'techs' are doing grunt work like autoclaving and making sure everyones pipet boxes are filled.
it all depends where you work. i just graduated in may and am now working full time as a 'research associate' at a university. i get 3k a month, and i do research on cancer cell lines, and testing different drugs on their growth (IC50) and signaling pathways (western blots). hardly any grunt work for me (less than 5%) because we hire lower level 'techs' for the job.
and we can see it in this thread, some of the 'techs' are doing fun work with cells and seeing how they grow, while other 'techs' are doing grunt work like autoclaving and making sure everyones pipet boxes are filled.
it all depends where you work. i just graduated in may and am now working full time as a 'research associate' at a university. i get 3k a month, and i do research on cancer cell lines, and testing different drugs on their growth (IC50) and signaling pathways (western blots). hardly any grunt work for me (less than 5%) because we hire lower level 'techs' for the job.
I was doing the same thing for this year. I worked at Roche MS in Branchburg for two weeks before the stupidity of the place got to me. Plus it was a hassle dealing with my temp agency. I've been looking for another job now for about two months but haven't been able to find much. OP if you can get your foot in the door somewhere go for it. I would say look into J&J they have a lot of stuff recently posted on monster as far as internships and whatnot go.
A lot of these pharm jobs say they require "2-4 years industry experience" and yet no one is willing to hire a college grad its ridiculous!
If anyone knows of anything in the Western Central Jersey area let me know!
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2007
- Messages
- 2,760
- Reaction score
- 4
people don't want to hire recent college grads because they realize most people are only gonna be working for a year or two before moving on to grad/med school. and the kinds of jobs being discussed here - research and the like, need about 6 months or more of training before you can really start doing intensive projects.
its tough, i know. id say go for something that sounds good on paper, like working in a famous professors lab, even if it means you are just cleaning glassware and stuff to start. they might start having you do basic stuff after that, like preparing solutions and buffers, and once you become good at this you might do more actual research 👍
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2007
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
I worked for 16 months at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in one of the post-bac IRTA programs previously mentioned. I learned a lot there. I had a lot of challenges, mainly political, but all in all I think I understand research a lot better and have a very clear understanding of the diseases that I work on. Coming out of undergrad it was a good experience for learning some really simple skills such as how to use PubMed correctly, Excel, and lots of experience in reading and comprehending journal articles. I currently work at UNC in a lab as well and am continuing to learn a lot. It's not what I want to do for the rest of my life but I think it's a very good job to do between undergrad and med school. In my interviews the majority of discussion has been about the research I work on. All interviewers have appeared interested and impressed with the experience.
As a lab tech you've got a pretty open schedule. Most researchers are not so strict on hours as long as the work gets done. And for all the people saying its just bitch work, try and get any job straight out of college where you aren't someone's bitch. That's how life is, you start at the bottom and work your way up. Maybe being someone's bitch will be a learning experience so that when you are a managing people later you won't treat them like complete crap!😀
As a lab tech you've got a pretty open schedule. Most researchers are not so strict on hours as long as the work gets done. And for all the people saying its just bitch work, try and get any job straight out of college where you aren't someone's bitch. That's how life is, you start at the bottom and work your way up. Maybe being someone's bitch will be a learning experience so that when you are a managing people later you won't treat them like complete crap!😀
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2007
- Messages
- 11,612
- Reaction score
- 836
^^^^This 👍
Anytime you start at "entry level" you're going to be given the crap work that no one wants. That's the way it is. After you prove that you're not totally dumb, they will start to give you more responsibility. And furthermore, just because you think it is tedious and crappy doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be done or that you can't learn something from doing it.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,454
- Reaction score
- 30
Now where would the fun be in that?
Personally I aspire to be a PI with a great research reputation so that I can treat people like crap but still have people lining up outside my door wanting to work for me😀
