Will “Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

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Job Description

Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 19-4011.01

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Agricultural Technicians”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)”

Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations.
Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
Collect animal or crop samples.
Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions.
Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.
Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas.
Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.
Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.
Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows.
Conduct insect or plant disease surveys.
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification.
Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.
Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application.
Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public.
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.

Related Technology & Tools

Aerosol foggers
Spectrometers
Elastrator bands
Fertilizer or seed spreaders
Notebook computers
Soil sterilizers
Vaccination syringes
Mowers
Tracked bulldozers
Shielded arc welding tools
Vacuum blood collection tubes
Planters
Grain augers
Temperature gauges
Personal digital assistants PDA
Combine harvesters
Ladders
Air samplers
Sample vials
Sweep cultivator shovels
Portable refractometers
Nitrogen test meters
Laser printers
Plows
Callicrate banding systems
Moisture meters
Egg incubators
Air compressors
Animal tatooers
Water samplers
Steam sterilizers
Pruning shears
Spray-dip machines
Bed shapers
Disks
Infrared lamps
Insect collectors
Soil moisture neutron probes
Blood collection syringes
Threshers
Weather instruments
Laboratory separators
Granule applicators
Electronic bench scales
Temperature controlled reach-in growth chambers
Rakes
Milking machines
Gas welders
Desktop computers
Cultivators
Surface thermometers
Personal computers
Harrows
Drying ovens
Balers
Tablet computers
Pollen collectors
Hypodermic syringes
Chisel cultivators
Dipping vats
Animal head-locks
Laboratory mechanical convection incubators
Milk cooling equipment
Weight meters
Crop sprayers
Livestock scales
Reverse osmosis systems
Power saws
Agricultural tractors
Reach pole saws
Aerosol generators
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Egg setters or hatchers
Power dusters
Harvesters
Animal chutes
pH meters
Chemical sprayers
Artificial insemination syringes
Heavy cargo trucks
Benchtop centrifuges
Trenchers
Animal measuring sticks
Planting sleds
Light trucks
Compound binocular light microscopes
Steam autoclaves
Electronic counters

Word processing software
Email software
Web browser software
Microsoft Excel
SAP
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Statistical software
Microsoft Office
Data entry software
Desktop publishing software