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Additional Biology Resume Samples
Laboratory Assistant Resume Samples
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0-5 years of experience
Collaborated with Laboratory Manager and faculty to ensure preparation of lab supplies and equipment based on faculty requests and course schedule
- Performed clerical tasks like: answering and directing phone calls, organizing and scheduling appointments, organizing and coordinating meetings, and maintaining filing systems
- Coordinated and supervised students to assure that laboratory experiences meet course objectives
- Performed administrative work such as maintaining records of laboratory inventory
- Composed Standard Operations Procedures Manuals (SOP) for lower and upper division Biology classes.
0-5 years of experience
Utilized microbial analysis techniques using ELISA, Western Blot, Gram staining, and DNA Electrophoresis
- Researched cold tolerance of the light brown apple moth in biosafety level 2 laboratory
- Reared and maintained a colony of moths and wine-grade grape vines, maintaining necessary supply stocks
- Improved research protocol and accuracy by creating clear spreadsheet documents and schedules
0-5 years of experience
Volunteered to assist with experiments in the radiochemistry laboratory.
- Prepared solutions and reagents for drug binding assays
- Conducted radio TLC assays to test purity of reagents
- Measured radioactivity using gamma counter and Liquid scintillation counter
- Determined Log P value of radio-labeled drugs using HPLC
- Conducted analysis using Phosphor imager
- Prepared detailed protocols and maintained records of each experiment
0-5 years of experience
Performed total particulate, viable active/passive air and surface monitoring in both internal and client cleanrooms.
- Sterility suite gowning qualified, and BSC/LFH trained
- Incubated and enumerated environmental monitoring and client TSA/SDA according to the associated SOPs.
- Generated and revised standard operating procedures.
- Performed lab routine and preventative maintenance and cleaning.
- Prepared microorganisms for identification via MicroSeq. This includes performing Gram stains and isolations.
- Direct contact with clients in person and via email about excursions and potential testing.
0-5 years of experience
Managed and instructed a team of six lab assistants while working with seven professors to facilitate and improve the physics, optics, and electromagnetism program
- Designed and implemented four new experiments (electric field mapping, Ampere current balance, Faraday’s motor, electrical units practicum)
- Created a new digital inventory for three laboratory rooms using Filemaker Pro and Excel
- Edited the student and teacher laboratory manuals and produced new material for both, including instructions for the new experiments and a manual for the oscilloscope
0-5 years of experience
Prepared and updated various laboratory logbooks daily
- Organized, edited, and distributed lab reports to the scientists
- Assisted in general maintenance and upkeep of the lab including maintenance of the supplies
- Answered any questions regarding lab work to my supervisor
- Prepared cell plates, sterilized equipment, and disposed of contaminants
- Created and documented new processes that makes the lab procedures more safe and efficient
6-10 years of experience
Organized, prioritized and completed work to meet defined turnaround time and expectations.
- Successfully managed instrumentation and specimen samples for analysis.
- Demonstrated initiative in assisting several departments and supported areas where needed.
- Managed patient referrals.
- Performed phlebotomy procedures under minimal supervision.
- Complied with all safety regulations and requirements (ie. Chemical hygiene plan, exposure control plan, blood borne pathogens.
- Communicated with medical, nursing and office personnel regarding laboratory results and protocols
0-5 years of experience
Process specimens in a timely and accurate manner while adhering to all hospital and laboratory procedures, to ensure specimen integrity
- Order lab tests in computer system per doctor orders
- Correctly and efficiently sort all interdepartmental specimens as well as outreach specimens.
- Implemented new processes to cut back on turnover time for IT related issues with specimens
- Updated, as well as created new, instructions for department processes for new hires
- Aided in training new employees
0-5 years of experience
Operated and maintained selected laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, cell washers, and balances.
- Verified specimen identification, assessed appropriateness of test orders and quality of specimen by recognizing factors that affect procedures and results; took appropriate action when corrections were indicated.
- Identified patient samples by strict adherence to established procedures; labeled samples accurately and completely.
- Ordered, allocated, issued and delivered supplies of blood and blood products.
- Prepared blood components for transfusion therapy.
- Prepared trauma packs and performed daily inspections.
- Saline washed RBC’s, Platelets, and deglycerolized frozen thawed RBC’s in preparation for transfusion.
- Became proficient at using the Meditech system.
0-5 years of experience
Reared, sexed and maintained populations of Mile-a-Minute weevil, Lily-leaf beetle, Hypena moth, Abrostola moth, and Galerucella beetle; collected specimens for the Emerald Ash Borer project
- Managed Lily-leaf beetle project
- Worked in and maintained quarantine facilities; maintained populations of plant species for testing
- Collected and recorded data in the laboratory and field
- Surveyed and monitored field sites, collected insect and plant specimens for multiple research projects, and released biological control agents
Biology Lab Assistant Duties and Responsibilities
While a biology lab assistant’s day-to-day responsibilities are determined by the lab or university where they work, there are many core tasks associated with the role. Based on our analysis of job listings, these include:
Set Up Lab Equipment A biology lab assistant sets up the lab equipment necessary to perform the scientists’ upcoming experiment. They either read preliminary experiment documentation or speak directly with the scientists to know what equipment is needed.
Log Experiment Details and Results Documentation is necessary throughout the duration of a lab experiment, and it is the responsibility of biology lab assistants to perform this documentation. They write experiment details and results with precision and clarity so they can be translated properly in the official lab report.
Assist Scientists or Professors In general, biology lab assistants are responsible for assisting scientists or professors with whatever they need. This can include mundane tasks like organizing reports or fetching coffee, or it can include providing opinions based on their knowledge and experience.
Clean Up Lab and Equipment After an experiment has been completed, it is the biology lab assistant’s responsibility to clean up the laboratory and the used equipment. This may also include recalibrating lab machines so they are ready for the next experiment.
Write Lab Reports Biology lab assistants are responsible for writing much of an official lab report. This includes translating notes taken during the experiment process and creating a general structure outline for the entire lab report.
Biology Lab Assistant Skills and Qualifications
Biology lab assistants are passionate about their field of study and possess the education to match their passion. They have at least a bachelor’s degree and may hold an advanced degree. Biology lab assistants also demonstrate the following skills and qualifications:
- Analytical skills – biology lab assistants are highly analytical, and they can think of all the moving pieces of an experiment during their analysis
- Logical thinking – biology lab assistants think logically so they can find creative solutions to the problems they are trying to solve during their experiments
- Lab experience – biology lab assistants with previous lab experience are particularly successful in gaining employment. Familiarity with standard lab procedures and safety is incredibly helpful
- Organization skills – organization goes a long way in the laboratory, and biology lab assistants must demonstrate a high level of organization so they can keep their experiments on track
- Attention to detail – plenty of little things can be missed during an experiment, but biology lab assistants catch them before they cause problems. Their attention to detail is essential to the success of the experiment
Biology Lab Assistant Education and Training
Biology lab assistants must possess a high level of education before gaining employment. At the bare minimum, successful biology lab assistants possess a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, but many employers require candidates to possess a master’s degree before hiring them. Biology lab assistants receive comprehensive on-the-job training that includes learning how to use the lab’s specific equipment and getting caught up to speed on the current and upcoming experiments or research tasks.
Biology Lab Assistant Salary and Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists biology lab assistants under the biological technician category. As such, biology lab assistants can expect to make an average median salary of around $44,000 per year. However, biology lab assistants with more education and experience may make as much as $70,000 per year, while those just starting out may make as little as $30,000 per year. Biology lab assistants usually receive a healthy benefits package that includes health insurance, paid time off, and performance incentives. The BLS reports a high growth outlook for biology lab assistants – 10 percent growth over the next 10 years. The high demand for medical and biological research is causing a greater need for biology lab assistants.
Helpful Resources
Check out some of the following resources to learn more about the role of a biology lab assistant:
ScienceDaily: Biology News – ScienceDaily is a well-known website that contains a vast amount of information for anyone interested in any field of scientific study. However, the website also contains a biology news section that focuses purely on biological subjects. The blog is updated regularly and features reports on recent breakthroughs and studies
The Company of Biologists – this organization is “dedicated to supporting and inspiring the biological community” through journals, grants, events, and more. Newcomers to the field may be interested in visiting its website to learn more about the profession as a whole
The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA – this book documents the incredible discovery of DNA, the building block of all biological life. Every biology lab assistant should understand this discovery and the impact it made on the field
The Origin of Species: 150th Anniversary Edition – this book revolutionized the entire course of science. Written by Charles Darwin in the 1800s, the book focuses on the idea that “species derive from other species” and only survive if they are the fittest species. This text is essential reading for any biologist so they can understand the basis of the entire field of biology