Lab Associate Jobs

Lab Associate jobs are open across clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, and environmental testing, hiring from entry-level technician roles to senior associate positions in hospitals, biotech firms, contract research organizations, and university research centers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles198+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerBJC HealthCare
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 198+ Lab Associate jobs

Quest Diagnostics
Lab Associate III - Special Chemistry
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Quest Diagnostics
Added 1d ago
Lab Associate III - Special Chemistry
Quest Diagnostics
Cleveland, Ohio
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
$22.65/hr
Bachelor's degree in biological science
10,000+

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Postdoctoral Research Associate -Structural Biology - Mittag Lab
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Added 1d ago
Postdoctoral Research Associate -Structural Biology - Mittag Lab
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Research & Academia
5,001-10,000

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Cell & Molecular Biology - Kosinski Lab
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Added 1d ago
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Cell & Molecular Biology - Kosinski Lab
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Doctoral degree in biochemistry
5,001-10,000

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Quest Diagnostics
Lab Associate I
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Quest Diagnostics
Added 2d ago
Lab Associate I
Quest Diagnostics
Wood Dale, Illinois
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$18.39 - $27.58/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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UC San Francisco Academic
Associate or Full Specialist – Diaz lab
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UC San Francisco Academic
Added 2d ago
Associate or Full Specialist – Diaz lab
UC San Francisco Academic
San Francisco, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$78k - $202k/yr
Master's degree

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Lab Associate Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • B
    BJC HealthCare11
  • Quest Diagnostics
    Quest Diagnostics11
  • Rutgers University
    Rutgers University7
  • Sutter Health
    Sutter Health6
  • U
    UC San Francisco Academic6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education23
  • Healthcare & Medical Services16
  • Investment & Asset Management6
  • Science & Research4
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in lab associate jobs.

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, or a related field
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory instruments such as centrifuges, pipettes, PCR machines, or analyzers
  • Knowledge of standard laboratory safety protocols, including proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials
  • Familiarity with laboratory information systems or data management software used to record and track results
  • ASCP certification or eligibility, particularly for clinical and hospital laboratory positions
  • Ability to follow detailed written protocols with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail

Tips for Your Lab Associate Job Search

Tailor your resume to the lab type

A clinical lab associate resume should lead with specimen handling and quality control experience, while a research lab resume should front-load assay development and data analysis. Matching your resume's language to the specific lab environment gets you past automated screening.

List every instrument you have used

Hiring managers scan for specific equipment names, so list centrifuges, PCR machines, spectrophotometers, or any analyzers you have operated. A vague phrase like 'laboratory equipment' is far less effective than naming the exact models or platforms you know.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists lab associate openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Address certification gaps before applying

Many clinical and hospital lab postings require ASCP certification or a state license. If you are close to eligibility, note your expected exam date on your resume so recruiters do not automatically disqualify you before you can complete the credential.

Prepare a practical skills walkthrough for interviews

Lab associate interviews often include a technical component where you describe a protocol you have run from start to finish. Practice walking through a standard procedure, naming each step, the controls you used, and how you handled a result that fell outside expected range.

Follow up with specifics after your interview

A follow-up note that references a specific instrument, assay, or workflow discussed during the interview stands out more than a generic thank-you. It signals genuine interest and shows you were engaged with the technical details of the role.

Lab Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most lab associates?

BJC HealthCare, Quest Diagnostics, and Rutgers University are hiring the most lab associates right now, with openings concentrated in California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Contract research organizations and hospital networks tend to post the highest volume of openings at any given time.

How many lab associate jobs are remote?

About 0% of lab associate openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which is lower than most professional roles because bench work requires physical presence. The sub-areas most likely to include remote components are data analysis, lab informatics, and quality documentation roles where results review and reporting can be done off-site.

How do you become a lab associate?

You typically start by completing an associate or bachelor's degree in a life science such as biology, chemistry, or clinical laboratory science. From there, gaining hands-on experience through internships, coursework labs, or entry-level technician roles builds the practical skills employers look for. Pursuing certification through a body like ASCP strengthens your candidacy significantly for clinical positions.

Can you get hired as a lab associate with little experience?

Yes, many employers hire candidates with limited formal work history if you can demonstrate hands-on technique from coursework or volunteer research. Emphasizing specific procedures you have performed, even in an academic setting, matters more than job titles. Entry-level postings at contract labs, reference labs, and university core facilities are often structured to train candidates who show strong foundational skills.

What does the lab associate interview process look like?

Most lab associate interviews include a phone screen with HR, followed by a technical interview with a lab manager or lead where you walk through your hands-on experience in detail. Some employers add a practical assessment or ask you to describe how you would handle a protocol deviation or an out-of-range result. References from supervisors who can speak to your bench skills are commonly requested before an offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to lab associate jobs?

You can find and apply to lab associate jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, whether in clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, or environmental testing, and apply directly to each listing that fits.

See All 198+ Lab Associate Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Lab Associate Jobs