Laboratory Technician

Agricultural laboratory technician positions usually involve animals or an agricultural product, such as dairy foods or crops. Laboratory technicians in agricultural settings may work with animals, plants, cells, chemicals, etc. Any research based laboratory needs one or more workers to perform the duties of a research technician. In agriculture especially, the research laboratory may not be the sterile environment that many people immediately think of when a laboratory is mentions. An agriculture laboratory may include field plots, animal holding areas, mechanics labs and greenhouses. The job of laboratory technicians is broad and covers all the areas of agriculture. However, specific tasks of individuals that work as laboratory technicians is usually narrow in scope.

Many technicians work for private companies but most are employed by state and federal government or colleges and universities. Laboratory technicians are extremely important to the scientists they work for. They are laboratory managers. The technicians may help in the design of the research, but their main job is to make the design work. This may involve building a research device, operating laboratory equipment and securing study subjects. Laboratory technicians also help gather and analyze data and prepare reports.