WHAT DOES A LABORATORY SCIENTIST DO?
Published: Jan 10, 2026 - The Laboratory Scientist performs testing across all analytic phases while ensuring accuracy, reliability, and adherence to laboratory policies and safety procedures. This role evaluates and reports test results, manages reagents and inventory, maintains documentation, and supports quality control and inspection readiness. The scientist also contributes to updating laboratory procedures and assisting in the training of new personnel.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Laboratory Scientist
1. Laboratory Scientist Duties
- Laboratory Testing: Performs laboratory tests according to established protocols as designated by the supervisor.
- Order Interpretation: Interprets physician laboratory orders to assist in appropriate test selection.
- Specimen Research: Researches referral laboratory specimen requirements for collection, handling, storing and shipping laboratory specimens.
- Result Entry: Accurately transcribes test results or enters results into the laboratory information system.
- Quality Documentation: Follows established policies regarding proper documentation of critical values, reagent lot numbers and other quality assurance data.
- Problem Solving: Assumes responsibility for problem solving, teaching of students and/or new employees, quality control and instrument maintenance.
- Instrument Troubleshooting: Troubleshoots instrumentation with the aid of consulting technical services, with proper documentation.
- Inventory Management: Keeps adequate inventory.
- Supply Ordering: Orders supplies appropriately to ensure there is limited or no waste due to the expiration of products.
- Method Evaluation: Assists in method evaluation and technical writing.
- Workload Prioritization: Organizes and prioritizes daily workload to complete assigned tasks in a timely fashion.
- Task Adaptability: Handles multiple assignments with the ability to adapt to changes.
- Committee Participation: Serves on various laboratory committees.
- Continuing Education: Attends continuing education or training sessions to meet the minimum standards of accrediting agencies.
2. Laboratory Scientist Details
- Laboratory Testing: Perform laboratory tests according to approved policies and procedures for all phases of testing.
- Phase Management: Pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic, as well as general laboratory systems.
- Preventive Maintenance: Perform and document routine preventive maintenance and independently identify and troubleshoot highly complex problems that adversely affect test performance.
- Laboratory Operations: Perform essential laboratory activities including reagent qualification, inventory management and inspection preparation.
- Quality Compliance: Follow quality control and quality assessment programs.
- Result Evaluation: Evaluate test results for completeness, accuracy and quality.
- Result Reporting: Report test results to clients.
- Document Revision: Assist with revising laboratory documents including policies, procedures and forms.
- Safety Compliance: Follow all safety policies and procedures.
- Reagent Management: Perform essential job-related functions including reagent qualification, inventory management and inspection preparation.
- Personnel Training: Assist with the training of new laboratory personnel.
3. Laboratory Scientist Responsibilities
- Work Environment: Create and maintain a respectful work environment by listening, seeking facts to support decisions, managing one's own reactions, and addressing unacceptable behavior.
- Laboratory Testing: Conduct laboratory experiments and testing of raw materials.
- Procedure Support: Support the evaluation and upgrade of laboratory procedures.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Maintain working knowledge and understanding of USP, FDA, ISO, and other regulatory standards applicable to chemical testing and validation.
- Safety Promotion: Promote safety and ensure a safe work environment and safe work habits.
- Instrument Operation: Use and maintain highly advanced scientific instrumentation in the Analytical Laboratory.
- Manufacturing Support: Provide support to the manufacturing site in the areas of analytical testing and review.
- Team Communication: Communicate with and listen to lab staff daily regarding work team performance, strategic initiatives, policy changes, safety, quality, etc.
- Vendor Coordination: Coordinate and manage external vendor equipment qualifications including the provision of necessary protocols, reports and approval.
4. Laboratory Scientist Accountabilities
- Experiment Design: Design and supervise laboratory experiments and testing of materials.
- Procedure Compliance: Develop and maintain procedures in compliance with external and internal audits.
- Regulation Adherence: Ensure adherence to all applicable ISO and FDA quality regulations and industry standards.
- Test Documentation: Ensure correct documentation on Analytical Laboratory testing.
- Record Maintenance: Maintain all required laboratory records.
- Training Management: Ensure training materials are updated accordingly and appropriate personnel are trained.
- Technical Analysis: Provide technical analysis and guidance on manufacturing issues and conduct laboratory experiments as part of manufacturing investigations.
- Chemical Release: Release incoming chemicals and in-process solutions.
- Documentation Review: Review notebooks, spreadsheets and electronic documentation for accuracy in accordance with the appropriate standards.
5. Laboratory Scientist Functions
- Result Approval: Review, approve and release test results and other pertinent documentation.
- Analytical Support: Cross-Facility Analytical Support in testing, supplier sharing, resource sharing, advanced equipment troubleshooting, procedures and instructions.
- Method Development: Develop, validate and implement test methods for laboratory equipment.
- Staff Training: Provide training to laboratory technicians on instrumentation, test procedures, software analysis programs and laboratory standards.
- Work Direction: Provide work direction and/or project management to technicians.
- Document Review: Review reports, protocols, specifications, procedures, project schedules, COs, DDA’s, NCMR’s, CEA’s and other pertinent documentation.
- Protocol Writing: Write and obtain approval on Analytical Laboratory protocols and reports.
- Chemical Support: Provide chemical expertise and support to the manufacturing facilities.
- Technical Guidance: Provide technical analysis and guidance on issues such as contamination and failures of prepared solutions.