Laborant

A laborant, or laboratory technician, is a professional who supports scientists and clinicians by performing routine laboratory tasks, preparing specimens, and maintaining laboratory equipment. In several languages, such as Polish, Turkish, and German, the term laborant denotes a laboratory technician or laboratory assistant. The role involves carrying out standardized procedures under supervision, recording data, and ensuring the accuracy and safety of work.

Typical duties include preparing and labeling samples, aliquoting and storing materials, running basic analyses or assays under established protocols, operating and calibrating instruments, performing quality control checks, and maintaining inventory of reagents and supplies. Laborants document procedures and results, follow strict safety and biosafety rules, dispose of waste properly, and help maintain a clean and organized work environment. They may also assist with data entry, report generation, and the preparation of materials for experiments or clinical testing.

Laborants work in a range of settings, including medical and clinical laboratories, academic and industry research labs, pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing, and environmental testing laboratories. The exact duties and required qualifications vary by country and by the level of responsibility. In many places, the title corresponds to a vocational or associate-level education and can require certification or licensing.

Education and training typically involve a dedicated laboratory technology or bioscience program, apprenticeship, or an associate degree, complemented by on-the-job training. Career paths may lead to senior technician roles, quality control, or supervisory positions, and with further study to technologist or scientist roles.