Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Lab Technical Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Lab Technical Assistant, you are the operational cornerstone of our scientific and research endeavors. This role is critical for ensuring the smooth, efficient, and compliant functioning of our state-of-the-art laboratory. You will provide essential hands-on support to our team of scientists and researchers, directly contributing to the advancement of our projects. This position is perfect for a meticulous, proactive, and highly organized individual who is passionate about science and eager to build a career in a dynamic laboratory environment. You will be instrumental in maintaining the integrity of our research by managing samples, preparing materials, maintaining equipment, and upholding the highest standards of safety and quality.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Recent Graduate (Biology, Chemistry, or a related Life Science)
Laboratory Intern or Co-op Student
Phlebotomist or Medical Assistant with lab experience

Advancement To:

Research Assistant / Research Associate I
Lab Technician II / Senior Lab Technician
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (with further certification)
Laboratory Manager

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control (QC) Technician
Clinical Data Coordinator
Field Service Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform precise and accurate sample accessioning, which includes receiving, sorting, logging, and labeling biological specimens (e.g., blood, tissue, cells) according to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure sample integrity and complete traceability.
Execute the preparation of complex laboratory media, chemical solutions, reagents, and buffers, meticulously following detailed protocols and ensuring all preparations are correctly documented in lab notebooks.
Conduct routine maintenance, calibration, performance verification, and quality control checks on a variety of laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, pH meters, and microscopes, to ensure their operational readiness and accuracy.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment by consistently cleaning and sterilizing glassware, decontaminating work surfaces, and managing the proper segregation and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste accordingto EHS guidelines.
Meticulously manage and track laboratory inventory levels, including reagents, consumables, and personal protective equipment (PPE), by placing orders, receiving and verifying shipments, and stocking materials to prevent workflow interruptions.
Accurately enter, verify, and manage experimental data, patient information, and test results into Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and other electronic databases, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
Provide direct support to senior scientists and researchers with the setup and execution of experiments, which may involve preparing sample aliquots, labeling tubes, and operating basic instrumentation under supervision.
Perform and rigorously document daily, weekly, and monthly quality control procedures for assays and equipment to ensure full compliance with internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements (e.g., CLIA, CAP, GLP).
Operate automated laboratory instrumentation for high-throughput sample analysis, following strict operational guidelines and performing basic troubleshooting to resolve minor errors or alarms.
Skillfully archive and retrieve biological samples from -20°C, -80°C, and liquid nitrogen storage units, while maintaining a precise and up-to-date sample inventory log to ensure quick and accurate retrieval.
Adhere strictly to all laboratory safety protocols and procedures, including the mandatory and correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and demonstrate proper handling techniques for chemical, biological, and radiological hazards.
Prepare samples for various downstream applications, such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR amplification, flow cytometry, or cell culture, following specific instructions from senior laboratory personnel.
Maintain exceptionally detailed and compliant documentation of all laboratory activities, experimental procedures, and raw data in physical or electronic lab notebooks, ensuring records are clear, concise, and recoverable.
Assemble and package custom kits for clinical sample collection or experimental use, verifying that all components are present, within their expiration dates, and correctly labeled.
Diligently monitor and record environmental conditions for temperature-sensitive equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, and incubators, responding promptly to any out-of-spec alarms or deviations.
Perform basic molecular biology techniques, such as running agarose gels or quantifying nucleic acids, after receiving appropriate training and under the guidance of a supervisor.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the development, writing, and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new or updated routine laboratory tasks.
Participate actively in laboratory team meetings, providing clear updates on assigned tasks and contributing to discussions on process improvement and workflow optimization.
Support the validation and implementation of new laboratory tests, equipment, and software by performing assigned tasks and diligently collecting performance data.
Cross-train on various laboratory techniques and workflows to provide flexible support across different projects and teams, ensuring operational continuity.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Aseptic/Sterile Technique: Demonstrated ability to work in a sterile environment (e.g., biosafety cabinet) to prevent contamination of cell cultures or sensitive reagents.
Pipetting and Dilutions: Proficiency in using single and multi-channel pipettes to perform accurate measurements, serial dilutions, and reagent additions.
Basic Lab Equipment Operation: Hands-on experience with standard lab equipment such as centrifuges, vortexers, incubators, pH meters, and analytical balances.
-Sample Accessioning: Experience with receiving, logging, and tracking biological samples, ideally using a barcode or LIMS system.
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS): Familiarity or direct experience with data entry and sample tracking in a LIMS or similar database software.
Solution & Reagent Preparation: Knowledge of how to follow a protocol to accurately weigh chemicals and prepare solutions and buffers.
Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in using MS Excel for data entry and basic calculations, and MS Word for documenting procedures.

Soft Skills

Meticulous Attention to Detail: An extremely high level of accuracy and precision is required for all tasks, from labeling a tube to recording a data point.
Organizational & Time Management: Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize work effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and cooperatively within a diverse team, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive work environment.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve routine technical problems and to know when to escalate more complex issues.
Adaptability & Flexibility: Willingness to learn new techniques, embrace changes in procedures, and adapt to shifting project priorities.
Clear Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting work, asking clarifying questions, and conveying information to team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree in a scientific field, OR a High School Diploma/GED with at least 1-2 years of directly relevant laboratory experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Clinical Laboratory Science
Or a related Life Science discipline

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of experience in a clinical, academic, or biotechnology/pharmaceutical laboratory setting. Internships and relevant academic lab coursework are considered.

Preferred:

At least 1 year of hands-on experience in a professional laboratory environment.
Previous experience with sample handling, reagent preparation, and basic laboratory equipment is highly desirable.
Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., CLIA, CAP, GLP, GMP) is a significant plus.