Laboratories are workplaces for scientific research, with diverse jobs in government, universities, healthcare, and private companies. Forensic science technicians analyze crime scene evidence, while scientists and engineers work on research and development in various fields. Medical laboratory technicians conduct medical tests and create medical devices, while other lab technicians install and maintain instruments, monitor experiments, and analyze data. Animal caretakers specialize in caring for lab animals.
A laboratory is a workplace in which scientific investigations and research are conducted. The work of a specific laboratory may focus on testing, identification, experiments, analysis or development of new products, techniques or processes. Laboratory jobs are diverse to meet the needs of the wide variety of laboratory activities. Some can be found in government laboratories, some in colleges and universities, some in health care facilities, and some in private companies.
Forensic science technicians work with crime scene evidence. They may be involved in collection, which is usually work outside the lab. The lab work they include includes identifying, classifying and analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes. Forensic science technicians may have a specific area of expertise, such as documents, ballistics, fingerprints, DNA, or handwriting, or they may work in multiple areas.
Scientists and engineers involved in research and development also carry out laboratory work. These lab workers are involved in a variety of fields, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, chemical and materials science, electronics, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. They may work on developing new processes, techniques and products or work to find practical applications of processes, techniques and products.
Medical laboratory technicians may work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, dental and ophthalmic laboratories, or veterinary laboratories. Hospitals and doctors’ offices have laboratory work involved in carrying out standard and specialized medical tests, such as blood tests and urine tests. Specialist medical device technicians create devices ranging from corrective shoes to orthotics and prosthetics. Dental lab technicians create dental prosthetics, including bridges and dentures. Meanwhile, ophthalmic lab technicians create prescriptions for vision corrections.
Other lab technicians have lab jobs that require installing, operating, and maintaining laboratory instruments, setting up and monitoring experiments, recording and interpreting data, and calculating and analyzing results. Laboratory technicians may be part of a research team, receiving guidance from other scientists. They work in agricultural science working, for example, on health or productivity issues; food science, contributing to quality control and developing new products; pharmaceutical, ensuring compliance with the FDA; chemistry, synthesizing compounds; and environmental science, monitoring pollution.
Some lab work is specifically for animal caretakers. These lab technicians specialize in caring for lab animals and ensuring that they are healthy and fed, that their cages are cleaned and disinfected. They are also responsible for ensuring that animals receive medical attention when needed.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
