What You'll Do

  • Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
  • Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  • Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
  • Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  • Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
  • Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
  • Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
  • Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Active Listening 3.75/5
Science 3.75/5
Active Learning 3.5/5
Writing 3.38/5
Speaking 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Mathematics 3.0/5
Operations Monitoring 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity, Independence, Analytical Thinking

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Oral Expression 3.75/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5
Written Comprehension 3.62/5
Written Expression 3.62/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Photoshop BD Biosciences CellQuest BoxShade ClustalW Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Database software ESRI ArcGIS software Gene Codes Sequencher Gene Runner Geographic information system GIS software Graphics software Harvard Graphics IBM Lotus 1-2-3 Laboratory information management system LIMS MapInfo MapMarker Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.49/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.45/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.36/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.13/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aquatic Technician (Aquatic Tech) Aquatics Technician Artificial Breeding Laboratory Technician (Artificial Breeding Lab Tech) Artificial Breeding Technician Artificial Inseminator Babcock Tester Bacteriology Research Assistant Bacteriology Technician Biochemistry Technician Biological Aide Biological Field Technician (Biological Field Tech) Biological Science Aide Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech) Biological Science Technician Biological Technician Biologist Aide Biology Laboratory Assistant Biology Research Assistant Biology Specimen Technician Biomedical Technician Bioprocess Associate Biotechnician Biotechnologist Botany Laboratory Assistant Culture Media Laboratory Assistant Dairy Technologist Downstream Biomanufacturing Technician Downstream Technician Environmental Technician Extraction Technician (Extraction Tech) Feed Research Aide Fiber Technologist Fowl Blood Tester Game Technician Herbarium Worker Laboratory Assistant Laboratory Technician Laboratory Worker Marine Fisheries Technician Medical Lab Assistant Medical Research Assistant Microbiology QC Tech (Microbiology Quality Control Technician) Microbiology Technician Microbiology Technologist Poultry Inseminator Research and Development Associate (R & D Associate) Research Assistant Research Associate Research Specialist Research Technician Seed Analyst Specimen Technician Upstream Biomanufacturing Technician Wildlife Biological Science Technician Wildlife Biology Technician Wildlife Technician