Laboratory Researcher Jobs
Laboratory Researcher jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, academic institutions, and government agencies, at every level from research assistant to principal investigator, with specializations in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and clinical research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Laboratory Researcher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 136+ Laboratory Researcher jobs
- 538507
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Mining and Minerals Engineering
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Other
- Research / Scientific
Show More Show Less
- Wage (Hourly)
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual to support laboratory-based mineral processing, characterization, and chemical separations for mining and minerals research. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and outside collaborators and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble’s group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate to gain hands-on laboratory and analytical experience in a rapidly growing research field with a nationally recognized department.
The Laboratory Research Assistant will be responsible for sample intake and organization, following established laboratory procedures and safety protocols for chemical separations and/or sample processing, and compiling and analyzing analytical data. Due to the broad range of research activities, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of organization and an ability and desire to learn new methods and procedures. The successful candidate will assist with development of standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The Laboratory Research Assistant will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Required Qualifications
- Experience or coursework in geology, mining, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to follow established safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Basic computer skills for data entry and reporting (Excel or similar)
- History of strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sample preparation and/or processing equipment (e.g., jaw crushers, shatter boxes, sieve stacks, automatic fluxing equipment, etc.)
- Experience in general wet laboratory practices and safety procedures (specifically acid handling and safety)
- Experience with sample collection, labeling, and processing protocols
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$17/hr - $30/hr
Hours per week
up to 40
Review Date
November 30th, 2026
Additional Information
Final candidate will need to be approved by sponsoring agencies.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annie Lawrence at annie.lawrence@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
- 538507
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Mining and Minerals Engineering
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Other
- Research / Scientific
Show More Show Less
- Wage (Hourly)
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual to support laboratory-based mineral processing, characterization, and chemical separations for mining and minerals research. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and outside collaborators and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble’s group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate to gain hands-on laboratory and analytical experience in a rapidly growing research field with a nationally recognized department.
The Laboratory Research Assistant will be responsible for sample intake and organization, following established laboratory procedures and safety protocols for chemical separations and/or sample processing, and compiling and analyzing analytical data. Due to the broad range of research activities, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of organization and an ability and desire to learn new methods and procedures. The successful candidate will assist with development of standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The Laboratory Research Assistant will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Required Qualifications
- Experience or coursework in geology, mining, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to follow established safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Basic computer skills for data entry and reporting (Excel or similar)
- History of strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sample preparation and/or processing equipment (e.g., jaw crushers, shatter boxes, sieve stacks, automatic fluxing equipment, etc.)
- Experience in general wet laboratory practices and safety procedures (specifically acid handling and safety)
- Experience with sample collection, labeling, and processing protocols
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$17/hr - $30/hr
Hours per week
up to 40
Review Date
November 30th, 2026
Additional Information
Final candidate will need to be approved by sponsoring agencies.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annie Lawrence at annie.lawrence@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Laboratory Researcher Jobs by Experience Level
See All 136+ Laboratory Researcher Jobs
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Find Laboratory Researcher JobsLaboratory Researcher Job Market
Who's Hiring
- University of Pittsburgh16
- University of Colorado7
- Creighton University6
- University of Miami5
- Virginia Tech4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education14
- Healthcare & Medical Services4
- Science & Research1
- Agriculture & Farming1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in laboratory researcher jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related life science field
- Hands-on experience with standard laboratory techniques such as PCR, Western blot, or cell culture
- Proficiency with laboratory information management systems and data analysis software
- Ability to maintain detailed, accurate laboratory notebooks and comply with GLP or GMP standards
- Experience operating and maintaining analytical instruments including spectrophotometers, centrifuges, or chromatography systems
- Strong written communication skills for documenting protocols, reporting results, and contributing to scientific publications
Tips for Your Laboratory Researcher Job Search
Tailor your resume to lab methods
List the specific techniques you've performed, such as PCR, ELISA, chromatography, or cell culture, rather than broad categories like 'lab skills.' Hiring managers scan for exact methodology matches, so your resume should mirror the methods named in each job posting.
Highlight instrument proficiency precisely
Name the exact instruments you've operated, including specific models where possible, like a particular mass spectrometer or flow cytometer. Many lab postings filter candidates by equipment familiarity, and vague claims like 'familiar with spectroscopy' won't clear that bar.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists laboratory researcher openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by research phase
Laboratory researcher roles differ sharply depending on whether a team is in discovery, preclinical, or translational research. Filter openings by keywords tied to the phase you've worked in so you're not competing in areas where your direct experience doesn't translate well.
Prepare a data narrative for interviews
Interviewers in research settings often ask you to walk through a failed experiment and what you concluded. Prepare two or three specific examples where your data interpretation, not just your protocol execution, shaped next steps or corrected a project direction.
Negotiate start date around publication timelines
If you're finishing a thesis or co-authoring a paper, disclose that upfront and propose a firm start date. Most research employers accommodate pending publications, and raising it after an offer creates friction that an honest early conversation avoids entirely.
Laboratory Researcher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most laboratory researchers?
The most active employers for laboratory researchers right now are University of Pittsburgh, University of Colorado, and Creighton University, and the most openings are in Pennsylvania, California, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies consistently account for a large share of open roles.
How many laboratory researcher jobs are remote?
About 18% of laboratory researcher openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most bench science roles. Positions in bioinformatics, computational biology, and data-heavy clinical research tend to offer the most flexibility for off-site work.
How do you become a laboratory researcher?
Most laboratory researcher roles require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a biological or chemical science, followed by hands-on training through undergraduate research programs, internships, or technician positions. Gaining proficiency in core techniques, building a record of documented experimental work, and pursuing graduate study or certifications in a specialty area strengthens your candidacy for independent research roles.
How do you get a laboratory researcher job with little experience?
Start by seeking research assistant or laboratory technician openings, which are specifically designed for candidates earlier in their careers. Undergraduate research experiences, volunteer positions in university labs, and community college laboratory courses all provide documented hands-on work you can reference. Applying to contract or temporary research roles is another direct path that often converts to full-time positions.
What does the laboratory researcher interview process look like?
Most laboratory researcher interviews include an initial screening call focused on your technical background, followed by one or more in-depth conversations where you walk through past experiments and explain your methodology. Many employers also include a lab visit, a written or practical skills assessment, and a meeting with the broader research team before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to laboratory researcher jobs?
You can find and apply to laboratory researcher jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
See All 136+ Laboratory Researcher Jobs
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