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Is there a career that focuses a lot on being in the lab/Inventing new stuff?
I though it would be better to get more specific in my description here as I'm very interested in the Biomedical field, Is there a specific career or field that encompasses more of the Lab environment? I was thinking more of something that has to do with tissues or genetic devices? I think I would enjoy getting to have a part in that sort of work. Less research, more doing, but not the engineering part. I'm not really sure if something like this is a thing, but if it is I really think I would love it.
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Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
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Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Sketch!
That's a really good question, and it seems like you already know exactly what motivates you: doing practical lab work, creating or experimenting with real-world objects, and seeing scientific discoveries.
There are a number of positions that might be ideal if you are passionate about biomedicine but prefer "doing" over pure theory:
1. Biomedical Laboratory Scientist: You would conduct tests that aid in patient care and medical research while working directly with biological samples, tissues, or cells. Every day, it produces measurable results and is heavily lab-based.
2. Biotechnologist: This position combines biology and technology; you may contribute to the development of new medications, tissue cultures, or living system-based medical devices.
3. Tissue Engineering or Regenerative Medicine Technician: These experts actually assist in the development of tissues or create materials that communicate with cells. It is innovative, practical work that connects biology with creativity.
4. Genetic Technologist: You would be working in labs connected with hospitals, universities, or biotech companies on DNA analysis, genetic testing, or gene-based treatments.
If you want less theory but still want to “invent” or contribute to discoveries, you can pursue associate or bachelor’s programs in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory science. You can then focus on tissue or genetic work.
You already have an innovative mindset; people who enjoy bringing ideas to life are always needed. Keep researching programs that provide research internships or lab practicums early on; those hands-on experiences will show you exactly where your interest fits.
Best wishes!
That's a really good question, and it seems like you already know exactly what motivates you: doing practical lab work, creating or experimenting with real-world objects, and seeing scientific discoveries.
There are a number of positions that might be ideal if you are passionate about biomedicine but prefer "doing" over pure theory:
1. Biomedical Laboratory Scientist: You would conduct tests that aid in patient care and medical research while working directly with biological samples, tissues, or cells. Every day, it produces measurable results and is heavily lab-based.
2. Biotechnologist: This position combines biology and technology; you may contribute to the development of new medications, tissue cultures, or living system-based medical devices.
3. Tissue Engineering or Regenerative Medicine Technician: These experts actually assist in the development of tissues or create materials that communicate with cells. It is innovative, practical work that connects biology with creativity.
4. Genetic Technologist: You would be working in labs connected with hospitals, universities, or biotech companies on DNA analysis, genetic testing, or gene-based treatments.
If you want less theory but still want to “invent” or contribute to discoveries, you can pursue associate or bachelor’s programs in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory science. You can then focus on tissue or genetic work.
You already have an innovative mindset; people who enjoy bringing ideas to life are always needed. Keep researching programs that provide research internships or lab practicums early on; those hands-on experiences will show you exactly where your interest fits.
Best wishes!
Updated
George’s Answer
Hi Sketch,
There are many careers in the biomedical field where you can spend most of your time in the lab, doing hands-on work and helping create new ideas, without needing to be a full engineer or a pure researcher. For example, some people become lab technicians or research associates. In these jobs, you do real experiments every day, handle equipment, test new products, and help your team build or improve medical tools. You are not just reading papers—you are actually doing the work with your hands.
If you enjoy working with tissues, you may like being a tissue engineering technician. In this job, you help grow cells, build small pieces of tissue, and use machines that help tissues form correctly. You get to work with living materials and see how your work can help people in the future. If you enjoy genetics, you might prefer being a genetic engineering or synthetic biology technician. These workers handle DNA, use tools like CRISPR to edit genes, build new genetic devices, and help test future medicines. This is a very creative field, because you are basically helping “invent” new biological tools.
There are also jobs like biomanufacturing specialists, where you help produce things like special cells, viruses for gene therapy, or biomaterials. This work is still very hands-on and helps bring good ideas from the lab into real products. Another option is working in medical device labs, where you help test new sensors, chips, or tiny tools for the body. You help make sure these devices are safe and work the way they should.
Majors that prepare you for these careers include biomedical science, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or genetic engineering. These degrees teach you how to work safely in a lab, handle cells and DNA, and understand how tissues and devices work. If you like using your hands, being in a lab environment, and helping create medical ideas that could help people, these careers could be a great match for you.
There are many careers in the biomedical field where you can spend most of your time in the lab, doing hands-on work and helping create new ideas, without needing to be a full engineer or a pure researcher. For example, some people become lab technicians or research associates. In these jobs, you do real experiments every day, handle equipment, test new products, and help your team build or improve medical tools. You are not just reading papers—you are actually doing the work with your hands.
If you enjoy working with tissues, you may like being a tissue engineering technician. In this job, you help grow cells, build small pieces of tissue, and use machines that help tissues form correctly. You get to work with living materials and see how your work can help people in the future. If you enjoy genetics, you might prefer being a genetic engineering or synthetic biology technician. These workers handle DNA, use tools like CRISPR to edit genes, build new genetic devices, and help test future medicines. This is a very creative field, because you are basically helping “invent” new biological tools.
There are also jobs like biomanufacturing specialists, where you help produce things like special cells, viruses for gene therapy, or biomaterials. This work is still very hands-on and helps bring good ideas from the lab into real products. Another option is working in medical device labs, where you help test new sensors, chips, or tiny tools for the body. You help make sure these devices are safe and work the way they should.
Majors that prepare you for these careers include biomedical science, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or genetic engineering. These degrees teach you how to work safely in a lab, handle cells and DNA, and understand how tissues and devices work. If you like using your hands, being in a lab environment, and helping create medical ideas that could help people, these careers could be a great match for you.
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Sketch. If you love being in the lab, working with your hands, and creating or improving medical technologies, there are several careers in the biomedical field that might fit your interests. Since you mentioned you enjoy the idea of working with tissues or genetic devices and prefer "doing" rather than just research or engineering design, you might enjoy careers such as a biomedical laboratory technologist or biomanufacturing specialist. These roles focus on hands-on work in a lab environment where you help develop or test new biomedical products or devices. For example, biomanufacturing specialists help produce biological products like vaccines or genetic materials used in medicine.
If you are interested in genetics, you might also look into becoming a genetic technologist or molecular biology technologist. These professionals often prepare samples, run experiments, and use advanced lab equipment daily.
Most of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, biotechnology, molecular biology, or a related field, and sometimes an additional certification or lab experience. The work is very practical and rewarding, especially if you like seeing real-world results from your experiments. As you continue your studies, try to take lab-based science courses and look for internships or research assistant positions that let you practice these hands-on skills. Wishing you all the best.
If you are interested in genetics, you might also look into becoming a genetic technologist or molecular biology technologist. These professionals often prepare samples, run experiments, and use advanced lab equipment daily.
Most of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, biotechnology, molecular biology, or a related field, and sometimes an additional certification or lab experience. The work is very practical and rewarding, especially if you like seeing real-world results from your experiments. As you continue your studies, try to take lab-based science courses and look for internships or research assistant positions that let you practice these hands-on skills. Wishing you all the best.
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Sketch,
It is good that you are thinking about going into the biomedical field because there are many different jobs that you can do that involve labs and don't focus a lot on engineering. I will create a list for you to think about and look over. Hope this helps!
List:
-Research Scientist
-Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technologist
-Clinical Research Associate
-Biomedical Scientist
-Biochemist
-Microbiologist
It is good that you are thinking about going into the biomedical field because there are many different jobs that you can do that involve labs and don't focus a lot on engineering. I will create a list for you to think about and look over. Hope this helps!
List:
-Research Scientist
-Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technologist
-Clinical Research Associate
-Biomedical Scientist
-Biochemist
-Microbiologist