Laboratory Assistant Posts
The School of Biomedical Sciences runs a scheme in conjunction with various Research Institutes in
the Faculty of Medicine to allow stage 2 students to apply to work as a Laboratory Assistant within
one of the research laboratories. The scheme is flexible to allow students to work around lectures
and study time and runs during term time from October through to the end of semester 2. Students
appointed will be paid to work for a maximum of up to eight hours. Approximately 20 posts are
available each year.
Here is what some of our past students had to say about the positions:
Being a laboratory assistant this year was a truly fantastic experience for me. The work load was
really relaxed and so convenient to fit around your studies. The staff in my lab were all really
friendly. I'd definitely recommend it as it's good practical experience to have and puts you in contact
with some leading researchers. The pocket money is a bonus too!
Stef Parker, Stage 2 Physiological Sciences 2014-2015
I was able to get first hand experience on how a research lab is run, what doing a PhD is really like
and what duties the lab technicians have in the lab. It's because of this scheme that I now have a
better idea of what I want to do once I graduate, and so this experience has been invaluable.
Danielle Nicholl, Stage 2 Biomedical Sciences 2014-2015
The Lab assistant post was an incredible opportunity for me to learn new skills, feel more confident in
the lab and appreciate the level of maintenance work required in order to carry out experiments. It
teaches you how to be organised and work in a team, without taking too much time away from
studies.
Camilla Ascanelli, Stage 2 Pharmacology 2014-2015
“The lab assistant post was a great opportunity given to me. It’s a great way to boost your
confidence in practical skills, and gives the student an insight to the latest research going on. It is also
very useful for students thinking of doing a PhD as you get to interact with PhD students and
Postdocs. The team in my lab was very understanding and if I had an exam or assessment I was
allowed that time off, which I am thankful of. I don't think any other job will be as flexible as a Lab
assistant job”.
Mandeep Atwal
“I thoroughly enjoyed being a laboratory assistant this year. It was a great opportunity to experience
first-hand what working in a research laboratory is like and also learn more about the particular area
of research of the lab I was in. The hours were manageable and flexible, so fit into my timetable well.
I feel I have been able to build on basic skills learnt during my course which has made me feel more
confident in lab practicals, as well as develop new skills and use new techniques that I had never used
before. I also enjoyed working within the group dynamic of the lab. I would recommend the scheme a
lot as it gives a great insight into research as a career and, for me, has really made an impact on
deciding what I want to do after completing my degree. It has also inspired me to apply for a summer
placement in a research lab”.
Rebecca Rigby
“In my opinion the experience you get through the scheme that the School of Biomedical Sciences
offers is extremely beneficial for the second year students who are fortunate enough to have it.
Firstly, this is because you get the opportunity to actually work in a lab taking part in a real project,
acquiring invaluable skills, even though the procedures you are asked to carry out are relatively basic.
Secondly, and this is probably more important, working in a university lab gives you a general idea of
how the whole process of research in academia is organized. You get to talk to professors, postdocs,
PhD students and start to learn from their experience as well. Overall, I think this scheme is very
useful for every biomedical student and especially for those who yet haven't decided what they want
to do in future”.
Erik Aznauryan
“The Lab Assistant scheme was the best way to understand the reality of working in a scientific
laboratory and earn some extra money while studying. Obviously it looks great on a CV, but more
importantly the experience it provides is invaluable and I believe it was because of this placement
that I am now sure I wish to stay on and pursue a career in research after graduation”.
Yura Grabovska
“During my second year of studying Biomedical Sciences at Newcastle I found out about the Lab
Assistant programme, which offers the opportunity for part time work in a laboratory setting. I was
extremely happy to be selected to work in Academic Haematology within the Institute of Cellular
Medicine, which deals with transplant patient specimens. As part of the scheme I carried out general
lab tasks but also got the opportunity to work with real patient samples, and gained a lot of
knowledge as to how a research laboratory is run. I worked with a range of people within the lab,
who I shadowed for a few weeks until I felt confident enough to carry out the tasks myself. All of the
staff were really friendly and helpful, and always encouraged my to try out new techniques, such as
cell culture, how to store cells and working in a containment laboratory. Working at the lab was an
ideal job whist studying, as the hours fit around your timetable, and it has enabled me to develop lots
of new skills. The scheme provided real work experience which will be invaluable when applying for
jobs in the future, and has really helped with my course as I am now much more confident during lab
practicals. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working in the lab, and would definitely recommend
this opportunity to other students!”
Emma Curry
“My main duties within the lab involved DNA extraction from candida and producing culture plates.
As well as this I also helped out with the general lab maintenance of organising the glassware and
making up solutions. The scheme has allowed me to become familiar with the lab environment and
put some of my knowledge into practice as well as learning about some of the everyday techniques
used. The scheme is designed around the students so it allowed me to fit my hours in around my
course which is very important, and provide me with an insight into research which I hope will aid my
3rd year lab project and my future career aspirations”.
Ami Gisby
“Having been working as a lab assistant in a Cell and Molecular Biosciences lab since last November,
I have obtained many invaluable drosophila-related skills like egg collection, brain dissecting,
dechorionate and imaging embryos under confocal laser scanning microscopes. This experience not
only boosted my interest and practical skills in academic researches but also put me in great
advantage in applying for this summer placements. Successfully, I achieved a summer internship at
the Campus for Ageing and Vitality to generate and validate a biological tool to measure intracellular
pH in vivo. Moreover, I believe that with this advanced experience, it greatly enhances my possibility
of employability for my future career as it glorifies my CVs. Lastly, this experience would be one of
invaluable memories in my life and it cultivated my desire to pursue scientific research as my future
career”.
Hua Lin