How Do I Become a Laboratory Coordinator?

Laboratory coordinators often have a combination of education and training in an area of the sciences. You can become a laboratory coordinator by having the necessary educational requirements as well as organizational and management skills. This position is often found at college and university research labs, and sometimes the laboratory coordinator is a faculty member at the university as well as the lab coordinator. Skills include the ability to communicate well with others, an aptitude for research, and the desire to teach and help others.

Become a laboratory coordinator by first receiving an undergraduate degree in an area of the sciences that interests you. Laboratory coordinators often hold positions at colleges and universities in research labs. The position is sometimes held by faculty members at the university who also teach classes, supervise students and work on personal research projects. In this case, the position generally requires a doctoral degree (PhD) along with teaching experience. Other colleges and universities hire individuals with a master's or PhD to coordinate the lab without being a member of the faculty.

Experience working in a lab is important in order to become a laboratory coordinator whether the position is faculty or not. During your time as a student, attempt to gain as much research experience as possible by volunteering to help professors and other students with their projects. You need to be able to show the people hiring that you understand how to do research as well as organize and coordinate lab operations. Management experience is helpful when attempting to showcase your ability to coordinate the lab activities. Any work you have done running a lab or projects will help you understand better the intricacies of managing staff, students and the research activities.

Since many laboratory coordinator positions involve working with undergraduate and graduate students, a desire to teach and help others is an important quality to have. To become a laboratory coordinator, you need to have good listening skills, patience and the ability to give feedback that is constructive to students. Good laboratory coordinators are able to balance all of these demands while still accomplishing important research in their labs.

Once you meet all of the qualifications to become a laboratory coordinator, look for positions on college and university job postings and websites. You might be asked to take an aptitude test before being hired. Application materials generally include your curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and an employment and research history.