Job Responsibilities
Laboratory Supervisor
25% ordering suplies and making sure the other people have what
they need to do their jobs.
25% maintaining and repairing lab equipment
50% carrying out my assigned research projects
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Job Requirements
I have a BS in Biology with a minor in Microbiology. Taking
rigorous courses in Math and Sciences was expected 30 years ago.
In addition to the science and math, I also had to take 2 years
each in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
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Uppers
I like the time flexibility. The work is mentally challenging and depending on
who I work with, can be on the cutting edge of science.
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Downers
On the down side, time flexibility also includes weekends,
nights and holidays with no overtime or compensation. There is
absolutely no job security!!! I can pour my time, effort and
expertise into a job, but if the primary investigator does not
get a grant, then I'm out of a job. The worse part of this end
of scientific research is that I am NOT in control of my earning
power nor whether I have a job or not.
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Lifestyle
Although the work hours are flexible, they can be long. There is no specific
dress code, but I dress professionally. If there are social interactions usually
it is not thru the work place. There is very little racial diversity in the
universities that I have worked; you can count the number of blacks on one hand
that are doing research. Also Blacks are given little to no opportunity to
obtain advanced degrees.
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Compensation
My salary is $40,000.00/yr. which is $5,000/yr less than I made
6 years ago. Employees pay into the retirement plan which is
$245/month from my pay. Health insurance is $275/mo and does
not cover my college aged son. There are no bonuses, cost of
living raises do not exist, no overtime nor comp time.
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Advice to Jobseekers
This job is just a pit stop on the way to medical school,
graduate school or industry, but I wished I had realized that 20
years ago when I first came into research. The job outlook for
research is dependent on whether the federal government is still
willing to fund research. Unfortunately, the salaries in this
area of the country remain below the national average and I
don't see that changing anytime soon.
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