A laboratory is a place where scientists conduct research and investigation. A laboratory’s work could include tests, identification, experiments, analysis, and the development of new products, techniques, or processes. To meet the needs of the wide range of laboratory activities, laboratory jobs are diverse. Some can be found in government laboratories, while others can be found in colleges and universities, health care facilities, and private businesses.
Technicians in forensic science work with evidence recovered from crime scenes. They may be involved in the collection of it, which is usually done outside of the laboratory. They identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes as part of their laboratory work. Technicians in forensic science may specialize in one area, such as documents, ballistics, fingerprints, DNA, or handwriting, or they may work in several.
Laboratories are also occupied scientists and engineers who work in research and development. Aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, chemistry and materials science, electronics, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are among the fields in which these laboratory workers work. They could work on developing new processes, techniques, or products, or they could look for practical applications for existing processes, techniques, and products.
Hospitals, medical practices, dental and ophthalmic laboratories, and veterinary laboratories are all places where medical laboratory technicians can work. Laboratory jobs in hospitals and medical practices entail performing standard and specialized medical testing, such as blood tests and urinalysis tests. Corrective shoes, orthotics, and prosthetics are all made specialized medical appliance technicians. Dental laboratory technicians make bridges and dentures, among other dental prosthetics. Meanwhile, vision correction prescriptions are written ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
Other laboratory technicians work in environments that require them to set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments, conduct experiments, record and interpret data, and calculate and analyze results. Laboratory technicians may work as part of a research team, with other scientists providing guidance. They work in agricultural science, contributing to quality control and developing new products; food science, ensuring FDA compliance; chemistry, synthesizing compounds; and environmental science, monitoring pollution.
Animal caretakers are required for some laboratory jobs. These laboratory technicians are responsible for keeping lab animals healthy and fed, as well as cleaning and disinfecting their cages. They’re also in charge of making sure animals get medical help when they need it.