research work laboratory

Research Lab Specialist

How to apply.

Please review the job summary and apply with a cover letter stating your interest in the position and outline skills and experience that relate to this position along with research interests, career aspiration.

Job Summary

The Laboratory of Dr. Catherine Kaczorowski is seeking a highly organized and skilled research laboratory specialist (associate-lead) in genetic mechanisms that promote resilience to AD at the cellular level. The successful candidate for this position will be responsible for performing patch-seq experiments using brain slice electrophysiology and cell culture models to measure intrinsic and synaptic plasticity in mice resilient to developing cognitive deficits despite harboring causal mutations (see Neuner et al., 2019, Neuron). This role requires a high level of self-motivation and organization, along with the ability and willingness to acquire new skills. The candidate must be capable of working independently as well as in a team environment. The Kaczorowski lab is a well-funded and collaborative team, with leadership that values supporting high-quality training, opportunities for travel by presenting and conferences, and recognition for contributions with authorship on publications and opportunities for career development.

The Kaczorowski lab is in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The city is ranked among the top 10 places to live in the U.S, with a community that is culturally rich, diverse, and pedestrian/bike friendly. The Michigan Neuroscience Institute (MNI) continues to be a leader in innovative, collaborative, and visionary research in the areas of brain science and brain impacting diseases. MNI?s cross-disciplinary research portfolio reflects the full range of basic and translational projects from molecular analyses to animal models to human applications. More information about the Kaczorowski lab can be found at http://kaczorowski.lab.medicine.umich.edu or on Twitter @KaczorowskiLab.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Responsibilities*

The successful candidate will be able to plan, develop, execute, and analyze an independent research project in the context of a supportive lab and institutional environment. In addition, they will help train undergraduate research assistants and junior technicians in the lab. We are looking for someone who has the aptitude to learn new techniques, works well with others, and possesses strong critical thinking skills.

• Uses patch clamp electrophysiology in acute brain slices to record neuronal activity and measure intrinsic and synaptic plasticity, fill and label neurons for subsequent morphological characterization, and preserve nuclei for subsequent transcriptomics.
• Proactively identifies problems, troubleshoots, and analyzes variations observed and reported in regular testing protocols; develops, modifies, refines, or adapts techniques and procedures; modifies and/or adjusts quality control measures.
• Monitors documentation of results; reviews and recognizes documentation which may lead to modification and adaptation of research methodologies; may collaborate with others.
• Plans and monitors resources needed to operate the laboratory; maintains chemical inventory.
• Leads exchange of research information through demonstration and instruction.
• Assists with the creation of posters, manuscripts, and presentations for meetings and grants.
• Is organized, responsible, and reports results clearly and efficiently to supervisor.
• Records all information, daily, in an official electronic laboratory notebook.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

This position is posted with an underfill. Individual requirements for each level are as follows:

• Associate: Bachelor's degree in a related field and 1+ years of experience.
• Intermediate: Bachelor's degree in a related field and 4+ years of experience.
• Senior: Master's degree preferred and 5+ years of experience.
• Lead: Master's degree and 6+ years of experience.

Desired Qualifications*

• Mouse handling and husbandry skills preferred.
• Familiarity with the preparation and use of acute mouse brain slices.
• Ability to communicate information verbally clearly and concisely and in written form.
• Must be a strong team player and posses excellent listening and speaking skills.
• Ability to work flexible shifts (evening/weekend/holiday)
• Experience with statistical analysis; interprets and evaluates results and compiles data for peer and PI review.

Research laboratory specialist senior or lead desired qualifications:

• Has experience (5+ years) with brain slice electrophysiology.
• Helps train personnel in electrophysiological techniques and data analysis.
• Helps develop and lead the direction of scientific inquiry, including devising and implementing hypotheses, analysis, and interpretation of data.
• Ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced, team-oriented environment, while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
• Computer skills for data documentation, analysis, and presentation (Word, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalents) are required. Coding skills (R, Python, or equivalent) are desired.
• Demonstrated team player with a professional, positive attitude and willingness to be flexible.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

MaP+S Group

Material processes and systems @ harvard gsd, open research position: data science / machine learning for design.

Location: Cambridge MA (remote option is possible but must have a US work visa/authorization) Position Type: Part-time, Temporary Compensation: part-time 10 – 20 hours/week, hourly rate dependent on experience. Duration: Fall 2024 Job Description: We are seeking a highly motivated and talented graduate student with expertise in Data Science and Machine Learning to join our research team for a short-term research project. The primary focus of this position is to develop predictive models that can forecast preferences and ratings based on image data, in the context of an on-going design study on the aesthetic perception of wall and floor tiles. This role will provide an excellent opportunity to apply advanced machine learning techniques to a practical problem while contributing to cutting-edge research. This work is part of the Laboratory of Design Technologies and the Material Processes and Systems Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Key Responsibilities: • Model Development: Design and implement machine learning models to predict user preferences and ratings from image data. • Data Processing: Clean, preprocess, and augment mid-size datasets of images to prepare them for model training and evaluation. • Model Training and Evaluation: Train, validate, and tune models to ensure high accuracy and robustness. Conduct performance evaluations using appropriate metrics. • Research Documentation: Document methodologies, experiments, and results in a clear and concise manner for both internal use and potential publication. • Collaboration: Work closely with interdisciplinary team members including designers, architects, industry experts, and supervisors to refine models and achieve research goals. • Literature Review: Stay updated with recent advancements and trends in machine learning and related fields to incorporate best practices into the project. Required Qualifications: • Education: Currently enrolled in, or recent graduate of a graduate program (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Data Science, Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a closely related field. • Technical Skills: o Proficiency in machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras. o Strong programming skills in Python. • Analytical Skills: Strong understanding of statistical and machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised techniques. • Research Experience: Proven experience in conducting research projects, with a strong emphasis on machine learning or data science. • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch). • Experience with computer vision techniques and libraries such as OpenCV, scikit-image, or similar. • Publications or significant coursework in machine learning, computer vision, or related areas. • Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques. Application Process: Interested candidates should submit the following documents: 1. Resume/CV: Detailing relevant educational background and research experience. 2. Statement: Explaining your interest in the position and highlighting any specific expertise that aligns with the job description. Max. 250 words. 3. References: Contact information for at least one academic or professional reference. Please send your application materials to [email protected] by September 15th 2024.

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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Clinical Research Coordinator

• Anesthesiology
• Columbia University Medical Center
• Opening on: Aug 28 2024
• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Salary Range: $62,400 - $78,600

Position Summary

A Clinical Research Coordinator position is available at the Moitra Laboratory in the Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care Medicine.  The Laboratory conducts a variety of clinical research studies, including studies of sepsis, cognitive dysfunction, delirium, mechanical ventilation, and complications after surgery. The successful candidate will work under the general supervision of the Director of the Laboratory, Dr. Vivek Moitra, and function as a team member with other research staff members.

Responsibilities

• Assists with screening and recruiting patients for clinical trials
• Provides basic explanation of study to potential participants and obtain informed consent from subjects
• Collects & organizes patient data from medical records, research subjects, physicians, etc.
• Maintains research records and databases
• Updates study forms per protocol
• Assists with conducting and documenting research subject study visits. Performs study procedures, which may include phlebotomy (if willing to take phlebotomy training).
• Maintain regulatory binders and QA/QC procedures
• Assists with interviewing study subjects
• Administers and scores questionnaires
• Ensure study regulatory submissions to the IRB, FDA, and regulatory bodies
• Performs administrative support duties or other duties as assigned.
• Takes responsibility for adherence to IRB approved protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

While experience is helpful, we will welcome new graduates with relevant course/project work. Ability to use statistical software not required but a plus.

Other Requirements

• CITI Certification is required
• Intermediate Microsoft Office knowledge
• Have good organizational skills
• Ability to follow directions
• Have good communication skills
• Ability to write scientific reports and papers
• Willing to work off hours when needed per protocol
• Knowledge of clinical research protocols
• Ability to demonstrate respect and professionalism for subjects’ rights and individual needs
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Values a growth mindset and collaboration

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Commitment to Diversity 

Columbia university is dedicated to increasing diversity in its workforce, its student body, and its educational programs. achieving continued academic excellence and creating a vibrant university community require nothing less. in fulfilling its mission to advance diversity at the university, columbia seeks to hire, retain, and promote exceptionally talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.  , share this job.

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• DOI: 10.54919/physics/56.2024.0fer1
• Corpus ID: 271144563

The development of research skills in physics laboratory works of secondary school students in an information and education environment

• Nazym Zhanatbekova , Yerlan S. Andasbayev , +2 authors Farzana Boribekova
• Published in Scientific Herald of Uzhhorod… 21 April 2024
• Physics, Education

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Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (W24142)

Deep Learning Theory Team Generic Technology Research Group RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (Laboratory head：Taiji Suzuki)

Research field

The RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project has been launched since April 2016 with the subsidy for "Advanced Integrated Intelligence Platform Project-Artificial Intelligence/ Big Data/ Internet of Things/ Cybersecurity-." from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Our center aims to achieve scientific breakthrough and to contribute to the welfare of society and humanity through developing innovative technologies. We also conduct research on ethical, legal and social issues caused by the spread of AI technology and develop human resources

Deep Learning Theory Team | RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project

Job title and job description

Job title, available positions.

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, a few positions.

Job description

The candidate will focus on the development of deep learning theories and related machine learning methodologies. More concretely, the candidate will work on analyzing theories such as approximation theory and generalization error analysis for deep learning, constructing mathematical tools required for machine learning methods, developing a new method based on theories, and developing optimization methods such as stochastic optimization for efficiently executing optimization problems that appear in machine learning problems.

The candidate is expected to carry out research and publish their findings in top machine-learning conferences or top statistics journals.

Qualifications

• must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. before the date of employment in machine learning, computer science, statistics or a related field.
• must have research experience about theory of machine learning such as statistical learning theory for deep learning and other methods or optimization theory including stochastic optimization.
• must be proactive, cooperative, flexible, and able to respond according to the circumstances.
• must also have good communication skills and be able to cooperate with the relevant personnel within/outside of the laboratory to fulfill the tasks.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Hongo campus of The University of Tokyo (7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

• 1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment. (Maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher is 5 years)
• 2. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee's abilities, work load at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee's center, laboratory or project and RIKEN's management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. Thevariable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary is 361,000 JPY for Research Scientist, 305,100 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, as of April 1, 2024. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai). This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day. Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment). There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave. Smoking is not permitted on site except in designated smoking areas. These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity , and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research ( Kakenhi ).

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako . For details, please send an email to the HR at kids [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents.

• 1. List of publications: Circle titles of three major papers in the list
• 2. Photocopies of three major research papers.
• If you cannot obtain a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, the same document issued by a third party is acceptable.
• Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• Letters of recommendation must be addressed to: Director of RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
• Recommendation letters must be submitted directly by the recommender, not by the applicant. We will contact the recommender with the URL to which the recommendation letter should be submitted.
• 4. Research in the past and research plan (3 pages in A4 size) Your research plan must include outcome expected within a few years from your appointment.
• You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website: Data protection | European Commission
• You will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website: Data Protection and the EU | Information Commissioner’s Office

How to apply

• A) Please access " [HR] Inquiry for public recruitment " and enter your contact information, the Open call ID (W24142) and so on.
• B) Our HR staff will send you an email with instructions on how to submit your application.

Note: Application documents will not be returned. We cannot answer any inquiry about information regarding application status or evaluation details prior to, during, or after the evaluation process.

Open until the position is filled

Handling Personal Data

Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Application screening, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants

Start of employment

As early as possible

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 15th floor, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan Email: aip-hr [at] ml.riken.jp For inquiries, please send an email.

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Emergency Management of Tomorrow Research: Artificial Intelligence Landscape Assessment

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) partnered with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to  identify current emergency management research, elicit capability needs from practitioners, and identify where technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), may benefit the future of emergency management and emergency operations centers.

The PNNL team performed a landscape assessment of AI technologies. The assessment began with an extensive literature review and tagging exercise to capture ideas, then curated and validated those ideas through discussions with emergency managers, university faculty, college students, national laboratory researchers, and federal staff. This report summarizes the methodology, analysis, and insights of the AI landscape assessment, highlighting an in-depth review of AI technologies and their potential applications to emergency management.

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• Facilities Updates

Controlling molecular electronics with rigid, ladder-like molecules

8/26/2024 Amber Rose

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Written by Amber Rose

As electronic devices continue to get smaller and smaller, physical size limitations are beginning to disrupt the trend of doubling transistor density on silicon-based microchips approximately every two years according to Moore’s law. Molecular electronics—the use of single molecules as the building blocks for electronic components—offers a potential pathway for the continued miniaturization of small-scale electronic devices. Devices that utilize molecular electronics require precise control over the flow of electrical current. However, the dynamic nature of these single molecule components affects device performance and impacts reproducibility.  

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers report a unique strategy for controlling molecular conductance by using molecules with rigid backbones—such as ladder-type molecules, known as being shape-persistent. Further, they have demonstrated a straightforward “one-pot” method for synthesizing such molecules. The principles were then applied to the synthesis of a butterfly-like molecule, showing the strategy’s generality for controlling molecular conductance.   

This new research , led by Charles Schroeder, the James Economy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,  along with postdoc Xiaolin Liu and graduate student Hao Yang, was recently published in the journal Nature Chemistry.   

“In the field of molecular electronics, you have to consider the flexibility and the motion of the molecules and how that affects the functional properties,” Schroeder says. “And it turns out that plays a significant role in the electronic properties of molecules. To overcome this challenge and achieve a constant conductivity regardless of the conformation, our solution was to prepare molecules with rigid backbones.”  

One of the main challenges for molecular electronics is that many organic molecules are flexible and have multiple molecular conformations—the arrangement of atoms due to bond rotation—with each conformation potentially resulting in a different electrical conductance. Liu explains, “For a molecule with multiple conformations, the variation in conductance is very large, sometimes 1000 times different. We decided to use ladder-type molecules, which are shape persistent, and they showed a stable set of rigid conformations so that we can achieve stable and robust molecular junction conductance.”  

Ladder-type molecules are a class of molecules that contain an uninterrupted sequence of chemical rings with at least two shared atoms between rings, which “locks” the molecule into a certain conformation. Such a structure provides shape-persistence and constrains the rotational movement of the molecule, which also minimizes conductance variation.   

Having consistent conductance is particularly important when the ultimate goal of molecular electronics is for use in a functional device. This means billions of components that need to have the same electronic properties. “The variation in conductance is one of the issues that has prevented the successful commercialization of molecular electronic devices. It is very difficult to fabricate the large number of identical components necessary and control the molecular conductance in single molecule junctions,” Yang explains. “If we are able to precisely do this, that can help push the commercialization and make electronic devices very small.”  

To control the molecular conductance of shape-persistent molecules, the team used a unique one-pot ladderization synthesis strategy that produced chemically diverse, charged ladder molecules. Traditional synthesis methods use costly starting materials and are usually two component reactions, which limits the diversity of the products. Using the one-pot multicomponent strategy, also called modular synthesis, the starting materials are much simpler and commercially available. “We can use many different combinations of those starting materials and make a rich diversity of product molecules suitable for molecular electronics,” Liu says.   

Further, Liu and Yang applied the rules they learned from ladder-type molecules and demonstrated the broad applicability of shape persistence by designing, synthesizing and characterizing the electronic properties of a butterfly-like molecule. These molecules have two “wings” of chemical rings, and like ladder molecules, butterfly molecules feature a locked backbone structure and constrained rotation. This will pave the way for the design of other functional materials and ultimately, for more reliable and efficient devices.   

Charles Schroeder is also an affiliate of the departments of chemistry and bioengineering, the Materials Research Laboratory and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois.   

Xiaolin Liu is affiliated with the department of chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois.   

Hao Yang is affiliated with the department of materials science and engineering and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois.   

Other contributors to this work include Jeffrey S. Moore (departments of chemistry and materials science and engineering, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Illinois), Joaquín Rodríguez-López (department of chemistry, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Illinois), Qian Chen (departments of chemistry and materials science and engineering, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Illinois), Adolfo I. B. Romo (department of chemistry, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Illinois), Oliver Lin (department of chemistry, Illinois), Toby J. Woods (department of chemistry, Illinois), Rajarshi Samajdar (department of chemical and biomolecular engineering, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Illinois), Hassan Harb (Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory) and Rajeev S. Assary (Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory).  

This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.

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This story was published August 26, 2024.

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Senior Data and Software Engineering Research Professional

Date: Aug 27, 2024

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830

Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 13632 

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

The Cyber Resilience and Intelligence Division (CRID) in the National Security Sciences Directorate at ORNL is seeking a senior research professional to perform world-class applied research and development in a team environment.

The Data and Software Engineering (DSE) Group within CRID includes data scientists and software engineers carrying out applied research and development for scalable machine learning-based platforms that enable domain experts to more effectively draw insights from large, heterogeneous, multi-modal data sets, such as those commonly encountered by the national security community. Examples of data of interest include signals, network traffic, multi-modal imagery, video, text, open-source data, and other sources of interest to the national security community. This group develops and employs the most effective solutions in scalable data management and analysis. The focus of the group’s projects is to deploy these solutions onto operational platforms to meet the needs of the national security mission (NSM). A Senior Research Professional will oversee the group’s applied R&D agenda, recruit and hire new staff that will enable execution of  R&D to serve the group and greater Division mission Theywill lead efforts to respond to new funding opportunities, and work with the group leaders, section head, and division director to guide the ongoing growth and development of the research staff to  carry out that R&D agenda.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Conduct innovative research and publish results in journals, conferences, and technical reports.
• Oversee high quality applied research in various domains related to national security.
• Collaborate with scientists inside and outside of the laboratory to advance the mission of the group, laboratory, and sponsors such as DOD, IC, DHS, DOE, and other agencies that support the NSM. .
• Develop new research proposals as a basis of continued support of the NSM  and the overall health of the group.
• Mentor less experienced staff in developing ideas and proposals, developing and implementing a research plan, and presenting results.
• Represent team and individual capabilities to review committees and outside bodies as appropriate.
• Fully participate in all areas of Environmental Safety & Heath
• All team members deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• MSin computer science, applied math, electrical engineering, or a related field and 12 years of relevant experience An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
•  R&Dexperience in national security research or a complementary field.
• Experience writing successful R&D proposals, research plans, and engaging government agencies to capture sponsored research programs.
• Experience managing medium/large research projects and presenting project results.
• Experience managing/mentoring students or researchers and recruiting new staff.
• Experience deploying complex software stacks to operational use.
• A proven publication record in the field of interest.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in computer science, applied math, electrical engineering, or related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of fundamental data and software engineering methods.
• Knowledge and experience with the development and deployment of state-of-the art architectures for data management and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior levels of client management and others involved in technical endeavors.
• A successful record of developing research partnerships and collaborative relationships with universities, industry, and research laboratories.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.  In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.   

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: [email protected]

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email [email protected].

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

Nearest Major Market: Knoxville

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Johns Hopkins research finds national decline in workplace well-being

Companies that backed off on supportive climates after pandemic saw dips in worker experience.

By Maggie Ward

Workplace well-being across the United States has steadily declined in recent years as employers have scaled back the supportive, flexible climates they implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School .

An annual survey of more than 1.5 million individuals at over 2,500 organizations in the U.S. found that workplace well-being from 2019 through 2023 spiked at the start of the pandemic in 2020 and has since regressed as workers have returned to offices and lost some of the flexibility that had provided work-life balance.

The survey is detailed in a report— Well-Being At Work: Fostering a Healthy Work Climate for All —from Carey's Human Capital Development Lab .

Female, African-American, and younger employees all scored lower in well-being than colleagues who were male, white, and older, according to the survey. The survey's findings regarding gender and race highlight a worrisome gap that supports "the ongoing need for organizations to address equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees," the report states.

While all surveyed industries experienced the same downward trend, the health care, retail, and hospitality sectors recorded the lowest levels in workplace well-being.

"The COVID pandemic heightened employers' awareness of the importance of well-being, and many of the best organizations worked to create a positive work climate," said Michelle Barton , a Carey Business School associate professor and co-author of the study. "The challenge now, will be to integrate those practices into everyday work life, rather than simply as a crisis response."

The research—conducted in partnership with Great Place To Work —measured key dimensions for fostering corporate climates of well-being: "mental and emotional support," "sense of purpose," "personal support," "financial health," and "meaningful connections."

Companies with high levels of well-being prove what the survey and other research has shown for years: "Proactively addressing employee well-being makes good business sense," the report states. "Poor mental and physical health in a workforce can erode profits through higher turnover, decreased engagement, reduced customers service, and increased health care costs."

One problem: Executives and managers reported higher levels of well-being, which leaves many of them "out of touch with their employees."

"Improving employee well-being can be complex—our research highlights a need for leaders to address organizational culture factors coupled with a more nuanced management approach to create a climate of well-being for all," said Rick Smith , faculty director at the Human Capital Development Lab and co-author of the study.

Leaders who enjoyed a "great deal" of confidence from employees and who continued to allow flexible and remote work options enjoyed a higher level of workplace well-being.

The survey found the highest levels of well-being at companies that prioritized "trust in leadership, pride in work, and connections among colleagues," the report states.

"By involving employees in decision-making processes, fostering fair management practices, encouraging work-life balance, and connecting employees to meaningful work, organizations can create a positive workplace culture conducive to employee satisfaction and productivity," the report stated.

Posted in Politics+Society

Tagged business , workplace

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Students Conduct Research for the State Department Through Diplomacy Lab

August 28, 2024 | by Caitlin Fillmore

News Stories

Even the State Department gets overwhelmed by its to-do list.

That’s why the federal government partners with select universities and graduate schools to outsource projects to students through their  Diplomacy Lab .

“This is an opportunity for students interested in working in any area of international economic policy to have a very hands-on experience dealing with an issue defined by officials at the State Department,” said  Robert Rogowsky , a professor in the  International Trade program. “It’s a remarkably practical application of the things we are teaching at Middlebury Institute.”

This year marked the first that the Institute participated, with international policy and development student Nancy Kwang Johnson MAIPD ’24 selected to research transitional justice in Montenegro in the western Balkans. Johnson capped the project by presenting her team’s findings to high-level diplomats at the State Department in April 2024.

“The country’s recent census shows what it means to self-identify and embrace the Montenegrin language versus the Serbian language,” Johnson said. “This alludes to what’s coming down the road as far as  conflict transformation .”

Leveraging  experiential learning funding through the Institute, Johnson spent a month in fall 2023 conducting interviews on the ground, working with the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro to reach local NGOs. She recruited MPA student Elizabeth Hammond to support with quantitative analyses.

“I did the quantitative lifting on the project, building out statistical models for freedom and fragility scores across the world to identify key variables relevant to the embassy’s goals,” Hammond said. “We also worked together to model the results Nancy found from her on-the-ground research. She found that the quantitative models triangulated her qualitative findings of brain drain in the country.” 

“There’s a marvelous sense of teamwork that evolves among the students,” Rogowsky said. “They are not just working together on a paper for a professor. They are working together to make a presentation to the State Department. Wonderful camaraderie and competitive pressure develops to make sure everyone pulls their weight.”

Johnson presented her findings to State Department officials at the annual  Diplomacy Lab Fair in Washington, D.C. Most of the invited institutions include D.C.-, Virginia-, and Maryland-area colleges and universities. Middlebury Institute’s recent inclusion brings new opportunities for students and a chance for the graduate school to shine. Johnson, who specializes in French and also studied Korean (one of her mother tongues) through Middlebury’s intensive summer program, said attendees noted the Institute’s leadership in language.

In contrast, Hammond said she did not embark on Diplomacy Lab with any specific career goals in mind. However, the experience has led to fresh opportunities.

“I didn’t do it to further any specific career goals, other than practicing independent analytical work,” she said. “However, I find myself being recruited as a data scientist, and this work is directly relevant to the position they want me to fill.”

Diplomacy Lab is a remarkably practical application of the things we are teaching at Middlebury Institute.

Rogowsky hopes to grow the program. Because many of the projects focus on emerging hot topics, students have a chance to be pioneering researchers and even achieve publication. Johnson used her research to complete her client-based  international policy and development practicum , working closely with  Professor Scott Pulizzi .

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to dig into a topic I had never researched and follow my curiosity wherever it might prove helpful to the team and embassy,” Hammond said.

“The diplomats in the room commented that they learned a lot and if I was ever interested in pursuing a career in the State Department they would offer a helping hand,” Johnson said. “Having the honor to present and represent the Middlebury Institute as the first project ever accepted was life altering.”

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August 23, 2024 | by Jonathan Phan MAIPD/MPA ’24

International Policy and Development/MPA graduate Jonathan Phan shares how class projects and a practicum helped him launch a career as a nonprofit program manager.

Faculty and Students Collaborate on 17-Language Anthology Interweaving Peace, Poetry, and Policy

July 19, 2024 | by Caitlin Fillmore

During a period of escalating global conflicts, nearly 70 international poets contributed writing around the themes of peace, poetry, and policy.

Students Prepare for Careers in Development with UNICEF Internships

April 29, 2024 | by Jason Warburg

Eighteen students have completed paid internships with UNICEF over the past two years through a Memorandum of Understanding that kicked off in 2019.

Lead Clinical Research Coordinator (Fixed-term 2 years)

🔍 school of medicine, stanford, california, united states.

The Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, is a world-leading department that offers comprehensive training and perioperative patient care, pain management, and critical care medicine as well as cutting-edge research, encompassing a wide spectrum of programs in basic, translational, clinical, health services and medical education.

The Berger lab at the Stanford Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, is seeking a Clinical Research Coordinator 2 (Fixed-term 2 years) to conduct clinical research and work independently on progressively more complex projects/assignments. Independently manage significant and key aspects of a large study or all aspects of one or more small research studies. The Berger lab focuses on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of postoperative neurocognitive disorders such as delirium among older surgical patients, and clarifying the relationships (and potential overlaps) between these disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. We are also interested in studying how the APOE4 allele contributes to synapse loss and an increased risk of Azlheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, use a life course/lifespan approach across the full adult human age range.

Towards these goals, we use a transdisciplinary approach that combines elements of cognitive/systems neuroscience, molecular/cellular neuroscience, as well as elements from the clinical specialties of psychiatry, neurology, anesthesiology and geriatric medicine. We use a wide variety of research tools from these different disciplines, ranging from electroencephalography (EEG), functional MRI imaging, molecular and cellular biomarker assays, genetics and epigenetic assays, as well as cognitive testing, delirium screening, and anesthetic pharmacology studies. The CRC2 will oversee studies that use all of these methods, and will formally supervise entry-level clinical research staff and undergraduate/master’s level students.

At Stanford University School of Medicine, the work we do touches the lives of those today and tomorrow. Through education, research, and health care, the School of Medicine improves health through leadership, diversity, collaborative discoveries, and innovation in health care. Whether working in departments with faculty, or in units that support the school, our staff are a part of teams that propel us on our journey toward the future of medicine and Precision Health.

Stanford is rooted in a culture of excellence and values innovation, collaboration, and life-long learning. To foster the talents and aspirations of our staff, Stanford offers career development programs, competitive pay that reflects market trends, and benefits that increase financial stability and promote healthy, fulfilling lives. An award-winning employer, Stanford offers an exceptional setting for professionals looking to advance their careers.

The School of Medicine and the Department of Anesthesia are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for its faculty, staff, residents, postdocs, and fellows. We aim to recruit, support, retain, and promote diversity in our department.

For more information on our department, please see our website: https://med.stanford.edu/anesthesia.html

Duties include:

• Oversee subject recruitment and study enrollment goals. Determine effective strategies for promoting/recruiting research participants and retaining participants in long-term clinical trials.
• Oversee data management for research projects. Develop and manage systems to organize, collect, report, and monitor data collection. Extract, analyze, and interpret data.
• Develop project schedules, targets, measurements, and accountabilities, as assigned. Lead team meetings and prepare/approve minutes.
• Formally supervise, train, and/or mentor new staff or students, as assigned, potentially including hiring, preparing or assisting with the preparation of performance evaluations, and performing related duties, in addition to instruction on project work.
• Audit operations, including laboratory procedures, to ensure compliance with applicable regulations; provide leadership in identifying and implementing corrective actions/processes. Monitor Institutional Review Board submissions, and respond to requests and questions.
• Collaborate with principal investigators and study sponsors, monitor and report serious adverse events, and resolve study queries.
• Provide leadership in determining, recommending, and implementing improvements to policies/processes; define best practices.
• Develop study budget with staff and principal investigator, identifying standard of care versus study procedures. Track patient and study specific milestones, and invoice sponsors according to study contract.
• Ensure regulatory compliance. Regularly inspect study document to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Work with principal investigator to ensure Investigational New Drug applications are submitted to the FDA when applicable. Ensure Institutional Review Board renewals are completed.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of principles of clinical research and federal regulations.
• Ability to effectively work in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and timelines.
• Familiarity with IRB guidelines and regulations.
• Previous experience with REDCap/Qualtrics or other related database applications.
• Previous experience working with surgical patients is desired but not required.
• Experience/knowledge of neuroimaging, and cognitive and/or molecular/cellular neuroscience.
• Minimum of two years related experience .
• Fast Learner.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

Bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of experience in clinical research, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database applications (Redcap, etc).
• Experience with research protocols and regulatory or governing bodies, which include HIPAA and FDA regulations, Institutional Review Board requirements, and Good Clinical Practices.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

Society of Clinical Research Associates or Association of Clinical Research Professionals certification is preferred. May require a valid California Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat and use fine light/fine grasping.
• Occasionally sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
• Rarely kneel, crawl, climb ladders, grasp forcefully, sort and file paperwork or parts, rarely lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or exposure to chemicals, blood, body fluid or tissues and risk of exposure to contagious diseases and infections.
• May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.

WORK STANDARDS

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,  http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

The expected pay range for this position is $69,100 to $92,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4923
• Employee Status: Fixed-Term
• Requisition ID: 104378
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible

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• Five Ways LiSA is Advancing Solar Fuels
• Alternative Energy

Artificial photosynthesis could one day harness energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water into liquid fuels to power your car, and enable a process for creating chemicals and fertilizers that is better for the environment. But scientists first need new techniques to efficiently convert sunlight into solar fuels and chemicals at scale, and store them for later use.

Since its founding in 2020 , the Liquid Sunlight Alliance (LiSA) – a Fuels from Sunlight Energy Innovation Hub funded by the U.S. Department of Energy – has made advances in developing the science principles by which liquid fuels can be generated from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.

“LiSA is bringing solar fuels closer to reality. In just five years our researchers have achieved major milestones in artificial photosynthesis.” – Joel Ager, senior scientist and LiSA program lead at Berkeley Lab

Led by Caltech in close partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), LiSA brings together more than 100 scientists from national lab partners at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and university partners at UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and the University of Oregon. This multi-institutional collaboration is focused on accelerating advances in solar fuels research by combining computationally driven experimentation with real-time observations using ultrafast X-rays and other advanced imaging techniques. By facilitating a national network of leading research capabilities, advanced instruments, and cutting-edge user facilities that are unique to national labs and universities, LiSA is paving the way for a solar fuels future.

“LiSA is bringing solar fuels closer to reality,” said Joel Ager, a senior scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Chemical Sciences Division who manages the Northern California LiSA facility at Berkeley Lab. “In just five years our researchers have achieved major milestones in artificial photosynthesis, from new materials and devices that convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into ethylene and other chemical fuels, to advances in computer modeling, data visualization, and X-ray imaging techniques that could make the conversion process more efficient and durable at the commercial scale.”

Here are five potential breakthroughs LiSA research teams led by Berkeley Lab have achieved so far.

1. Made solar energy available 24/7

Photoelectrochemical devices use sunlight to trigger chemical reactions that convert CO 2 and water into liquid fuels. This artificial photosynthesis technology has the potential to revolutionize our energy infrastructure, but current photoelectrochemical techniques in CO 2 reduction are limited by sluggish chemical processes and high energy requirements. A project led by Peidong Yang, a senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division, offers an alternative approach: A new system design that is far less energy-demanding than conventional systems. This new design enabled 24/7 operation over multiple days – and effectively eliminated sunlight intermittency issues – by using silicon nanowire components that can be illuminated by renewably powered and superefficient LEDs.

2. Modeled artificial photosynthesis at multiple scales

Photoelectrochemical systems have the potential to produce hydrogen fuel and other liquid fuels through artificial photosynthesis, but manufacturing these fuels at scale will require improved efficiencies and product purity. In recent projects led by Adam Weber, senior scientist and head of the Energy Conversion Group in Berkeley Lab’s Energy Technologies Area, and Alexis Bell, faculty senior scientist in the Chemical Sciences Division, researchers developed and ran models to simulate how molecules, atoms, and electrons move around inside and at the interface of a photoelectrochemical device. These simulations shed light on the importance of ion transport – the movement of charged particles – in membrane materials and catalyst performance. The work also advanced new approaches to designing photoelectrochemical assemblies , including metal-insulator-semiconductor architectures, for CO 2 reduction.

3. Clarified the fundamentals of corrosion: How are ions born?

A project led by Shannon Boettcher, a senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division, and Martin Head-Gordon, a senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Chemical Sciences Division, has created a validated molecular model which accurately delineates the rates at which ions – chemical species that carry electrical current in solutions – are created when a material rusts and dissolves. The advance will help researchers understand the fundamentals of corrosion in photoelectrochemical devices, a longstanding challenge to the commercialization of artificial photosynthesis. The model also maps out the rates at which ions are consumed at the interface between a solid and a liquid, such as when metals are plated from a solution to fabricate semiconductor chips.

By combining laboratory experiments with leading-edge computation, the team’s collaborative study revealed the sequence of molecular events and the resulting barriers that control how fast ions can be formed or consumed. The researchers are currently expanding the approach to complex systems: The aim is to create a general theory that is of broad importance to electrochemical technology in renewable liquid fuel synthesis, batteries, and controlling corrosion processes.

The experimental work was completed at the University of Oregon, a partnering LiSA institution where Boettcher was a chemistry and biochemistry professor before joining Berkeley Lab.

4. Developed superfast X-ray techniques to observe a cutting-edge catalyst at work in real time

Copper is one of the best catalysts in artificial photosynthesis for converting CO 2 into liquid fuels like ethanol, ethylene, and propanol. Researchers have wanted to improve the efficiency and product yield of these reactions, but observing them under operando or real-world working conditions at the interface between metal and electrolyte has been a challenge. A project led by Junko Yano, a senior scientist and Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging Division Director at Berkeley Lab, could enable the operando characterization of chemical reactions that take place where metal and electrolyte meet. Using X-ray beamlines at SLAC’s Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource and Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Light Source , the team is developing and applying techniques to determine where chemical reactions take place in active sites of a copper-liquid interface at relevant time scales . The work can enable new insight related to the catalytic mechanism and durability issues in artificial photosynthesis systems.

5. Discovered new materials for solar-driven CO 2 conversion to fuels and chemicals

Photoelectrochemical devices for solar fuels applications rely on the reactions occurring on semiconductor surfaces under illumination. However, many otherwise promising semiconductors are not conducive for the desired CO 2 reduction chemistry due to underperformance in chemical stability and selectivity. Recent work by Joel Ager and his research team discovered two ways to overcome these challenges. First, they showed that an appropriately chosen metal oxide film can both protect the semiconductor from corrosion while allowing electrons to flow to a catalyst, allowing for solar-driven synthesis of ethylene from CO 2 .

Next, his team showed that Cu(InGa)S 2 or CIGS – a material used in the photovoltaic industry, but previously overlooked for solar fuels – can convert CO 2 to chemicals like carbon monoxide and formic acid all by itself, without any need for protective coatings or co-catalysts. This work was in collaboration with teams from imec Belgium and the Advanced Light Source at Berkeley Lab. These breakthroughs point to the vast potential of solar-driven CO 2 conversion and open new research avenues for exploration.

This work was supported by the DOE Office of Science.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to delivering solutions for humankind through research in clean energy, a healthy planet, and discovery science. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 16 Nobel Prizes. Researchers from around the world rely on the Lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science .

What is a research lab and how to start a career in one?

Understand the types of research labs, their main characteristics and get smart tips on how to become a lab researcher.

Research laboratories, or “ labs ” for the intimates, are spaces indicated to execute experimental tasks which may aim for new discoveries and advances in science . They are also used to perform quality control and optimization of processes prior to industrial implementation.

There are many laboratory types and areas. Depending on both the objective and needs of the research, each lab is supplied according to the sort of research to be performed, including equipment and environment control, such as light, temperature and pressure.

This article will take you through the types and main characteristics of research labs and provide you some insights on how to start your career in a research lab.

What do Research Labs do?

As the name says: research. And that means lots and lots of experimentation about diseases, cancers, and other factors that impact human or animal health.

Even before the term “science” was used by mankind, the need for experimentation already existed. Around the 5th century, the famous Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras de Samos, supposedly managed the oldest known laboratory in history. In it, Pythagoras headed studies about different instruments and objects’ sonority, drawing conclusions known today as frequencies.

Do as Pythagoras and start drawing your science

Mind the Graph is a tool which can easily be used to create amazing presentations, infographics, graphical abstracts and more. Start your first creation in the workspace and see for yourself!

Types of Research Labs

We can divide them according to their objectives and characteristics . It’s important to emphasize that even labs that share the same field of knowledge or specialization may have subtle but necessary differences between them. Take a look at these types of research labs:

1. Quality Control Labs

Quality Control labs are mostly used to run tests in which both components and objects of study are crucial to the analysis. This type of laboratory is often associated with chemical practices, physics or biological sciences, such as microbiology .

2. Biosafety Labs

In biological research, scientists often deal with pathogens that could represent a serious risk to public health outside of the laboratory environment, like viruses and bacteria. These labs are classified into 4 levels of biosecurity where level 1 represents the lowest and is designated for organisms of little danger, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In contrast, level 4 is where scientists study the effect of biological agents that are very harmful to individual life and with high spreading skills, like the Ebola virus.

 3. Clinical Labs

Clinical laboratories are those dedicated to the analysis of various biological samples, such as blood and urine. Also known as medical laboratories, they are essential to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of certain diseases. In such places, science is applied to improve the quality of treatment for patients, not necessarily to develop scientific knowledge.

4. Production Labs

Production Laboratories are fundamental to assure the perfect transition from research to industrial production, whereas some processes may not work well when transitioning from small to large scale, and vice versa.

Normally, the main objective of this kind of lab is the study and design of a process that works well in different technologies. Production labs are very common in industries such as biotechnology, technology and pharmaceuticals, for example.

5. Research and university Labs

Research and university laboratories focus on either science or humanities. The role of the professionals in such labs is to work alongside post-doctorates and principal investigators. It’s not unusual to see university laboratories turning research and teaching labs into places where students can practice and test their knowledge.

Solution for Labs visual creations

Talking about Labs, Mind the Graph’s Teams & Labs subscription is an awesome solution for those who like to co-create. Besides unlimited start-from templates and science illustrations , subscribers can also share creations with up to 10 simultaneous users. 

But if you haven’t started your career yet, a Researcher subscription might be better to start creating visually appealing infographics and attract attention to your science paper.

How to start a career in a research lab?

If you are interested in becoming a Lab Researcher, follow the steps below:

1. Pursue higher education

Your first objective is to gain the credentials needed to pursue your career goals. It’ll depend on the kind of Lab Researcher you want to become, but most careers start with a bachelor’s degree in the selected field of study. 

2. Gain relevant experience

After or while completing your degree program, consider finding opportunities to gain relevant work experience. Volunteer opportunities are a great gateway.

Another option is to pursue an internship during your degree program or after completing your education. Internships give you the chance to work under the supervision of an experienced professional, which could grant you much knowledge and recognition.

3. If required, obtain a license

Some countries require medical lab researchers to have licensure before they can practice. Conquering it means that you’ve reached a high standard of professional qualifications for performing your work.

If you plan to earn licensure, you’ll need a certain quantity of practical training hours and, in some cases, pass an exam. But that should be easy after years and years dedicated to scientific discoveries.

In or out of a Research Lab, communicating science visually is essential

Since humans are visual creatures, counting on the support of infographics is a great start for reaching a wider audience. Make your science greater with Mind the Graph . According to Cactus Communication studies, articles with graphical abstracts have 3x more downloads in comparison with those without it.

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Company laboratories

Government laboratories.

• Independent laboratories
• Research associations
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• The management of research and development activities
• Value engineering and cost-benefit analysis
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Types of laboratories

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• Table Of Contents

Company laboratories fall into three clear categories: research laboratories, development laboratories, and test laboratories.

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Research laboratories carry out both basic and applied research work. They usually support a company as a whole, rather than any one division or department. They may be located at a considerable distance from any other part of the company and report to the highest levels of corporate management or even to the board of directors. AT&T Bell Laboratories , the research arm of American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T), is an outstanding example. There the transistor and coaxial cable were developed, pioneer work in satellite communications was carried out, and many computer innovations have been developed.

Development laboratories are specifically committed to the support of particular processes or product lines. They are normally under the direct control of the division responsible for manufacture and marketing and are often located close to the manufacturing area. Frequently used as problem solvers by many sections of each company, development laboratories maintain close contacts with people in manufacturing, advertising, marketing, sales, and other departments with responsibilities for products or processes.

Test laboratories may serve a whole company or group of companies or only a single manufacturing establishment. They are responsible for monitoring the quality of output. This often requires chemical, physical, and metallurgical analyses of incoming materials, as well as checks at every stage of a process. These laboratories may be a part of a manufacturing organization, but many companies give them an independent status.

The pattern followed by different countries varies widely. The general policy of the U.S . government has been not to set up laboratories of its own, even for military work, but to offer research and development contracts, usually on the basis of competitive bidding, to private companies. The most important reason for this has been a belief that the right place to develop equipment is very close to the place at which it will eventually be manufactured.

There are exceptions to the rule. One is the type of laboratory represented by the National Bureau of Standards , a central authority on problems of measurement and standardization . Another is the type of laboratory supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture , set up by the government in the belief that research in this field is necessary but that the industry had neither the finances nor the organization to maintain it. The continuing support of successive administrations has resulted in a large and authoritative body carrying out research over a wide field for the benefit of the farming community and thus, indirectly, of the whole nation.

A third type of government laboratory is represented by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and its successors, the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Research. In this case the U.S. government recognized a situation of potential danger and also opportunity of such a nature that it was not practicable for it to be handled by private individuals. It therefore set up a body to deal with the situation, allocating funds directly and maintaining close control of the objectives and timing of research. A similar challenge is faced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration . Although much of the detailed research and development work is contracted to private industry, overall control, as well as much of the most important work, is handled directly by the central organization.

A different type of policy has been followed in the United Kingdom . A chain of government laboratories supports the requirements of the armed forces and carries out a great deal of the basic and applied research from which new weapons and military techniques emerge. The government laboratories play a major part in negotiating and monitoring the contracts placed with private industry for the eventual development and production of equipment for the armed forces.

In addition to the government laboratories that focus on military R and D, the U.K. government supports civilian establishments such as the National Engineering Laboratory. These have a considerable degree of independence in selecting projects that will bring the greatest benefit to industry as a whole, and their results are made available to all. They maintain close liaison with the research associations (see below Research associations ) and with private industry and attempt to concentrate their work in areas that for one reason or another are not covered elsewhere.

In Germany , as in the United Kingdom, defense research is the responsibility of a chain of government laboratories, but they are much smaller. Most of the work is done for them on contract by the research associations. They place very little research with private industry and call upon it only in the later stages of development.

In Japan there is a chain of laboratories that serves the needs of government departments. They work closely with the research associations that support particular industries. The military laboratories carry out the bulk of defense research and development themselves, and they are also responsible for the placing of contracts with private industry. These are usually confined to the later stages of development and are expected to lead almost directly to production.

The French system is similar, but the directly controlled government laboratories are even smaller and do little more than direct and coordinate work done by the research associations.

In spite of differences in organization, the day-to-day conduct of government-sponsored research and development in all countries has much in common. In every case, a comparatively small number of government employees keep in constant touch with the whole of the scientific and technical community and dispense contracts in the way they consider will make the best use of the resources available in the broad national interest. The fact that in some countries it is done in laboratories under direct governmental control, in others in those under private control, and in yet others in those in which responsibility is split is of secondary importance. In every case, government support is important. Even in the United States , with its relatively few government laboratories, government research contracts account for almost half of all R and D expenditures.

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MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.

The LMB offers a variety of work experience placements for students in Years 10 to 13 (aged 14 and above). Our placements provide hands-on experience of working in an academic research institute. Placements may be within an LMB  research group ,  scientific facility  or  support services , highlighting the variety of roles that underpin our cutting edge research.

We have partnered with  Form the Future  to offer in-person placements to underrepresented students at the LMB during the summer. Form the Future, a not-for-profit careers and employment company, was founded in 2015 to help young people find their route through education into employment and provide employers access to their future talent. Committed to each stage of young people’s development, the dedicated team provides schools, colleges and other groups with high-quality outsourced Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) services.

The deadline for 2024’s applications has passed.

Additional placements will be advertised via this webpage when they become available.

If you are an undergraduate student, you may be interested in our  Student Placement Scheme .

For any questions relating to work experience, please email  Public Engagement Team .   

Placement length

Depending which placement you apply for, the advert will tell you how long they run. Advertised work experience placements from the LMB can vary from 1-2 weeks (usually in July and August).

If selected for work experience, you will be expected to attend all days of the placement.

Food and travel expenses

For all students who applied to an advertised work experience placement via Form the Future or via our website we will cover reasonable travel expenses and offer a voucher to cover food and refreshments (approx. £5 a day) throughout their placement. This is given as a voucher which is covered in cost after spending by the LMB.

Quotes from 2023 placements

Siena – hosted by Magda Sutcliffe

“I really enjoyed the setting. LMB is so welcoming and different to anything I have ever seen. Learning to use the various equipment was great.

I plan on pursuing medicine and so seeing how the lab work can be applied to healthcare was extremely useful. It also provided the possibility of an alternative lab job in the future.”

Tolu – hosted by Magda Sutcliffe

“I really enjoyed the experience at the LMB. My highlights were going into the lab and doing hands on work instead of just observing. It emphasises the difference between small school labs and real-world labs. 

I want to study pharmacy, and this has solidified my decision as I’ve read an article that shows how molecular biology and pharmacy link and how it affects the medical industry.”

Annabelle – hosted by Millie-Jane Adcock

“The highlights of my time at the LMB were gaining new lab skills such as using pipettes and various robots. 

This experience has sparked an interest in laboratory work and careers in research because I found the work very interesting and enjoyed working in the laboratory environment.”

Summer – hosted by Lori Passmore

“I really enjoyed having a tour of the building to see all the equipment that gets used and learning how it’s used to aid research. I also really enjoyed the hands-on experience and getting to help conduct real experiments to see how methods are used and build my confidence and skills when doing practical work. 

I felt free to ask questions about university and career paths after that and I received informative, honest answers. I plan on doing a biochemistry degree at university, and this placement confirmed that this is definitely the route I want to take.”

Mariana – hosted by Lori Passmore

“Throughout this fantastic experience, I aided in a variety of experiments but my favourite has to be the CPF PAS changing an immature mRNA into a mature mRNA. Although the knowledge needed is years away in my academic career my hosts always ensured I understood, breaking down concepts and applying it to facts I learn in my current A-levels.

Originally, I worried about the work life balance in a research lab, but I learnt the lab is a community of people who consistently share knowledge and help each other. I plan to follow a more research focused life plan.”

Rami – hosted by Boglárka Anna Vámos

“Some of the highlights at the LMB was discovering how researchers used Cryo-electron microscopy to understand Alzheimer’s and even won an award, I found that quite inspiring. I also enjoyed using new tools and equipment for example centrifuges and vortex and learning a new way of pipetting I thought that was really engaging.

My time at the LMB has given me some clarification that I would like to do a health science (biomedicine) as before I wasn’t quite sure as I knew the content that would be taught but wasn’t sure what type of practical things I could be doing. I’ve never had any hands-on experience outside of school, so this was really eye opening and a unique opportunity to have.” 

Raufaeel – hosted by Andy Howe

“The highlight of my time at the LMB was learning to solder as it was a new skill.

The placement has been useful in helping me make decisions about my future because I was able to receive career advice from experts and it allowed me to understand the potential risks and benefits of each one of my ideas.”

Quotes from 2022 placements

“Working in a research-focused environment was something I found very enjoyable. I liked the emphasis on taking the time to do something right instead of making something commercially for a profit.”

“My time at the LMB was my first hands-on experience in a lab outside of school. During this time, I really enjoyed learning about and seeing what a career in science might look like. I particularly enjoyed learning about and examining  Drosophila melanogaster , as well as learning about how they could be used to aid research and test out theories in the lab. I also thoroughly enjoyed carrying out a bacterial protein expression and learning about the science behind this.”

“My time at the LMB has certainly been very helpful in guiding my decision-making over my future career, as it has given me first-hand insight into what a career in science might entail. I had a great time while I was here, and I plan to pursue a career in this field.”

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• v.44(4); 2016 Aug

What is Scientific Research and How Can it be Done?

Scientific researches are studies that should be systematically planned before performing them. In this review, classification and description of scientific studies, planning stage randomisation and bias are explained.

Research conducted for the purpose of contributing towards science by the systematic collection, interpretation and evaluation of data and that, too, in a planned manner is called scientific research: a researcher is the one who conducts this research. The results obtained from a small group through scientific studies are socialised, and new information is revealed with respect to diagnosis, treatment and reliability of applications. The purpose of this review is to provide information about the definition, classification and methodology of scientific research.

Before beginning the scientific research, the researcher should determine the subject, do planning and specify the methodology. In the Declaration of Helsinki, it is stated that ‘the primary purpose of medical researches on volunteers is to understand the reasons, development and effects of diseases and develop protective, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (method, operation and therapies). Even the best proven interventions should be evaluated continuously by investigations with regard to reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, accessibility and quality’ ( 1 ).

The questions, methods of response to questions and difficulties in scientific research may vary, but the design and structure are generally the same ( 2 ).

Classification of Scientific Research

Scientific research can be classified in several ways. Classification can be made according to the data collection techniques based on causality, relationship with time and the medium through which they are applied.

• Observational
• Experimental
• Descriptive
• Retrospective
• Prospective
• Cross-sectional
• Social descriptive research ( 3 )

Another method is to classify the research according to its descriptive or analytical features. This review is written according to this classification method.

I. Descriptive research

• Case series
• Surveillance studies

II. Analytical research

• Observational studies: cohort, case control and cross- sectional research
• Interventional research: quasi-experimental and clinical research
• Case Report: it is the most common type of descriptive study. It is the examination of a single case having a different quality in the society, e.g. conducting general anaesthesia in a pregnant patient with mucopolysaccharidosis.
• Case Series: it is the description of repetitive cases having common features. For instance; case series involving interscapular pain related to neuraxial labour analgesia. Interestingly, malignant hyperthermia cases are not accepted as case series since they are rarely seen during historical development.
• Surveillance Studies: these are the results obtained from the databases that follow and record a health problem for a certain time, e.g. the surveillance of cross-infections during anaesthesia in the intensive care unit.

Moreover, some studies may be experimental. After the researcher intervenes, the researcher waits for the result, observes and obtains data. Experimental studies are, more often, in the form of clinical trials or laboratory animal trials ( 2 ).

Analytical observational research can be classified as cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies.

Firstly, the participants are controlled with regard to the disease under investigation. Patients are excluded from the study. Healthy participants are evaluated with regard to the exposure to the effect. Then, the group (cohort) is followed-up for a sufficient period of time with respect to the occurrence of disease, and the progress of disease is studied. The risk of the healthy participants getting sick is considered an incident. In cohort studies, the risk of disease between the groups exposed and not exposed to the effect is calculated and rated. This rate is called relative risk. Relative risk indicates the strength of exposure to the effect on the disease.

Cohort research may be observational and experimental. The follow-up of patients prospectively is called a prospective cohort study . The results are obtained after the research starts. The researcher’s following-up of cohort subjects from a certain point towards the past is called a retrospective cohort study . Prospective cohort studies are more valuable than retrospective cohort studies: this is because in the former, the researcher observes and records the data. The researcher plans the study before the research and determines what data will be used. On the other hand, in retrospective studies, the research is made on recorded data: no new data can be added.

In fact, retrospective and prospective studies are not observational. They determine the relationship between the date on which the researcher has begun the study and the disease development period. The most critical disadvantage of this type of research is that if the follow-up period is long, participants may leave the study at their own behest or due to physical conditions. Cohort studies that begin after exposure and before disease development are called ambidirectional studies . Public healthcare studies generally fall within this group, e.g. lung cancer development in smokers.

• Case-Control Studies: these studies are retrospective cohort studies. They examine the cause and effect relationship from the effect to the cause. The detection or determination of data depends on the information recorded in the past. The researcher has no control over the data ( 2 ).

Cross-sectional studies are advantageous since they can be concluded relatively quickly. It may be difficult to obtain a reliable result from such studies for rare diseases ( 2 ).

Cross-sectional studies are characterised by timing. In such studies, the exposure and result are simultaneously evaluated. While cross-sectional studies are restrictedly used in studies involving anaesthesia (since the process of exposure is limited), they can be used in studies conducted in intensive care units.

• Quasi-Experimental Research: they are conducted in cases in which a quick result is requested and the participants or research areas cannot be randomised, e.g. giving hand-wash training and comparing the frequency of nosocomial infections before and after hand wash.
• Clinical Research: they are prospective studies carried out with a control group for the purpose of comparing the effect and value of an intervention in a clinical case. Clinical study and research have the same meaning. Drugs, invasive interventions, medical devices and operations, diets, physical therapy and diagnostic tools are relevant in this context ( 6 ).

Clinical studies are conducted by a responsible researcher, generally a physician. In the research team, there may be other healthcare staff besides physicians. Clinical studies may be financed by healthcare institutes, drug companies, academic medical centres, volunteer groups, physicians, healthcare service providers and other individuals. They may be conducted in several places including hospitals, universities, physicians’ offices and community clinics based on the researcher’s requirements. The participants are made aware of the duration of the study before their inclusion. Clinical studies should include the evaluation of recommendations (drug, device and surgical) for the treatment of a disease, syndrome or a comparison of one or more applications; finding different ways for recognition of a disease or case and prevention of their recurrence ( 7 ).

Clinical Research

In this review, clinical research is explained in more detail since it is the most valuable study in scientific research.

Clinical research starts with forming a hypothesis. A hypothesis can be defined as a claim put forward about the value of a population parameter based on sampling. There are two types of hypotheses in statistics.

• H 0 hypothesis is called a control or null hypothesis. It is the hypothesis put forward in research, which implies that there is no difference between the groups under consideration. If this hypothesis is rejected at the end of the study, it indicates that a difference exists between the two treatments under consideration.
• H 1 hypothesis is called an alternative hypothesis. It is hypothesised against a null hypothesis, which implies that a difference exists between the groups under consideration. For example, consider the following hypothesis: drug A has an analgesic effect. Control or null hypothesis (H 0 ): there is no difference between drug A and placebo with regard to the analgesic effect. The alternative hypothesis (H 1 ) is applicable if a difference exists between drug A and placebo with regard to the analgesic effect.

The planning phase comes after the determination of a hypothesis. A clinical research plan is called a protocol . In a protocol, the reasons for research, number and qualities of participants, tests to be applied, study duration and what information to be gathered from the participants should be found and conformity criteria should be developed.

The selection of participant groups to be included in the study is important. Inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study for the participants should be determined. Inclusion criteria should be defined in the form of demographic characteristics (age, gender, etc.) of the participant group and the exclusion criteria as the diseases that may influence the study, age ranges, cases involving pregnancy and lactation, continuously used drugs and participants’ cooperation.

The next stage is methodology. Methodology can be grouped under subheadings, namely, the calculation of number of subjects, blinding (masking), randomisation, selection of operation to be applied, use of placebo and criteria for stopping and changing the treatment.

I. Calculation of the Number of Subjects

The entire source from which the data are obtained is called a universe or population . A small group selected from a certain universe based on certain rules and which is accepted to highly represent the universe from which it is selected is called a sample and the characteristics of the population from which the data are collected are called variables. If data is collected from the entire population, such an instance is called a parameter . Conducting a study on the sample rather than the entire population is easier and less costly. Many factors influence the determination of the sample size. Firstly, the type of variable should be determined. Variables are classified as categorical (qualitative, non-numerical) or numerical (quantitative). Individuals in categorical variables are classified according to their characteristics. Categorical variables are indicated as nominal and ordinal (ordered). In nominal variables, the application of a category depends on the researcher’s preference. For instance, a female participant can be considered first and then the male participant, or vice versa. An ordinal (ordered) variable is ordered from small to large or vice versa (e.g. ordering obese patients based on their weights-from the lightest to the heaviest or vice versa). A categorical variable may have more than one characteristic: such variables are called binary or dichotomous (e.g. a participant may be both female and obese).

If the variable has numerical (quantitative) characteristics and these characteristics cannot be categorised, then it is called a numerical variable. Numerical variables are either discrete or continuous. For example, the number of operations with spinal anaesthesia represents a discrete variable. The haemoglobin value or height represents a continuous variable.

Statistical analyses that need to be employed depend on the type of variable. The determination of variables is necessary for selecting the statistical method as well as software in SPSS. While categorical variables are presented as numbers and percentages, numerical variables are represented using measures such as mean and standard deviation. It may be necessary to use mean in categorising some cases such as the following: even though the variable is categorical (qualitative, non-numerical) when Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is used (since a numerical value is obtained), it is classified as a numerical variable: such variables are averaged.

Clinical research is carried out on the sample and generalised to the population. Accordingly, the number of samples should be correctly determined. Different sample size formulas are used on the basis of the statistical method to be used. When the sample size increases, error probability decreases. The sample size is calculated based on the primary hypothesis. The determination of a sample size before beginning the research specifies the power of the study. Power analysis enables the acquisition of realistic results in the research, and it is used for comparing two or more clinical research methods.

Because of the difference in the formulas used in calculating power analysis and number of samples for clinical research, it facilitates the use of computer programs for making calculations.

It is necessary to know certain parameters in order to calculate the number of samples by power analysis.

• Type-I (α) and type-II (β) error levels
• Difference between groups (d-difference) and effect size (ES)
• Distribution ratio of groups
• Direction of research hypothesis (H1)

a. Type-I (α) and Type-II (β) Error (β) Levels

Two types of errors can be made while accepting or rejecting H 0 hypothesis in a hypothesis test. Type-I error (α) level is the probability of finding a difference at the end of the research when there is no difference between the two applications. In other words, it is the rejection of the hypothesis when H 0 is actually correct and it is known as α error or p value. For instance, when the size is determined, type-I error level is accepted as 0.05 or 0.01.

Another error that can be made during a hypothesis test is a type-II error. It is the acceptance of a wrongly hypothesised H 0 hypothesis. In fact, it is the probability of failing to find a difference when there is a difference between the two applications. The power of a test is the ability of that test to find a difference that actually exists. Therefore, it is related to the type-II error level.

Since the type-II error risk is expressed as β, the power of the test is defined as 1–β. When a type-II error is 0.20, the power of the test is 0.80. Type-I (α) and type-II (β) errors can be intentional. The reason to intentionally make such an error is the necessity to look at the events from the opposite perspective.

b. Difference between Groups and ES

ES is defined as the state in which statistical difference also has clinically significance: ES≥0.5 is desirable. The difference between groups is the absolute difference between the groups compared in clinical research.

c. Allocation Ratio of Groups

The allocation ratio of groups is effective in determining the number of samples. If the number of samples is desired to be determined at the lowest level, the rate should be kept as 1/1.

d. Direction of Hypothesis (H1)

The direction of hypothesis in clinical research may be one-sided or two-sided. While one-sided hypotheses hypothesis test differences in the direction of size, two-sided hypotheses hypothesis test differences without direction. The power of the test in two-sided hypotheses is lower than one-sided hypotheses.

After these four variables are determined, they are entered in the appropriate computer program and the number of samples is calculated. Statistical packaged software programs such as Statistica, NCSS and G-Power may be used for power analysis and calculating the number of samples. When the samples size is calculated, if there is a decrease in α, difference between groups, ES and number of samples, then the standard deviation increases and power decreases. The power in two-sided hypothesis is lower. It is ethically appropriate to consider the determination of sample size, particularly in animal experiments, at the beginning of the study. The phase of the study is also important in the determination of number of subjects to be included in drug studies. Usually, phase-I studies are used to determine the safety profile of a drug or product, and they are generally conducted on a few healthy volunteers. If no unacceptable toxicity is detected during phase-I studies, phase-II studies may be carried out. Phase-II studies are proof-of-concept studies conducted on a larger number (100–500) of volunteer patients. When the effectiveness of the drug or product is evident in phase-II studies, phase-III studies can be initiated. These are randomised, double-blinded, placebo or standard treatment-controlled studies. Volunteer patients are periodically followed-up with respect to the effectiveness and side effects of the drug. It can generally last 1–4 years and is valuable during licensing and releasing the drug to the general market. Then, phase-IV studies begin in which long-term safety is investigated (indication, dose, mode of application, safety, effectiveness, etc.) on thousands of volunteer patients.

II. Blinding (Masking) and Randomisation Methods

When the methodology of clinical research is prepared, precautions should be taken to prevent taking sides. For this reason, techniques such as randomisation and blinding (masking) are used. Comparative studies are the most ideal ones in clinical research.

Blinding Method

A case in which the treatments applied to participants of clinical research should be kept unknown is called the blinding method . If the participant does not know what it receives, it is called a single-blind study; if even the researcher does not know, it is called a double-blind study. When there is a probability of knowing which drug is given in the order of application, when uninformed staff administers the drug, it is called in-house blinding. In case the study drug is known in its pharmaceutical form, a double-dummy blinding test is conducted. Intravenous drug is given to one group and a placebo tablet is given to the comparison group; then, the placebo tablet is given to the group that received the intravenous drug and intravenous drug in addition to placebo tablet is given to the comparison group. In this manner, each group receives both the intravenous and tablet forms of the drug. In case a third party interested in the study is involved and it also does not know about the drug (along with the statistician), it is called third-party blinding.

Randomisation Method

The selection of patients for the study groups should be random. Randomisation methods are used for such selection, which prevent conscious or unconscious manipulations in the selection of patients ( 8 ).

No factor pertaining to the patient should provide preference of one treatment to the other during randomisation. This characteristic is the most important difference separating randomised clinical studies from prospective and synchronous studies with experimental groups. Randomisation strengthens the study design and enables the determination of reliable scientific knowledge ( 2 ).

The easiest method is simple randomisation, e.g. determination of the type of anaesthesia to be administered to a patient by tossing a coin. In this method, when the number of samples is kept high, a balanced distribution is created. When the number of samples is low, there will be an imbalance between the groups. In this case, stratification and blocking have to be added to randomisation. Stratification is the classification of patients one or more times according to prognostic features determined by the researcher and blocking is the selection of a certain number of patients for each stratification process. The number of stratification processes should be determined at the beginning of the study.

As the number of stratification processes increases, performing the study and balancing the groups become difficult. For this reason, stratification characteristics and limitations should be effectively determined at the beginning of the study. It is not mandatory for the stratifications to have equal intervals. Despite all the precautions, an imbalance might occur between the groups before beginning the research. In such circumstances, post-stratification or restandardisation may be conducted according to the prognostic factors.

The main characteristic of applying blinding (masking) and randomisation is the prevention of bias. Therefore, it is worthwhile to comprehensively examine bias at this stage.

Bias and Chicanery

While conducting clinical research, errors can be introduced voluntarily or involuntarily at a number of stages, such as design, population selection, calculating the number of samples, non-compliance with study protocol, data entry and selection of statistical method. Bias is taking sides of individuals in line with their own decisions, views and ideological preferences ( 9 ). In order for an error to lead to bias, it has to be a systematic error. Systematic errors in controlled studies generally cause the results of one group to move in a different direction as compared to the other. It has to be understood that scientific research is generally prone to errors. However, random errors (or, in other words, ‘the luck factor’-in which bias is unintended-do not lead to bias ( 10 ).

Another issue, which is different from bias, is chicanery. It is defined as voluntarily changing the interventions, results and data of patients in an unethical manner or copying data from other studies. Comparatively, bias may not be done consciously.

In case unexpected results or outliers are found while the study is analysed, if possible, such data should be re-included into the study since the complete exclusion of data from a study endangers its reliability. In such a case, evaluation needs to be made with and without outliers. It is insignificant if no difference is found. However, if there is a difference, the results with outliers are re-evaluated. If there is no error, then the outlier is included in the study (as the outlier may be a result). It should be noted that re-evaluation of data in anaesthesiology is not possible.

Statistical evaluation methods should be determined at the design stage so as not to encounter unexpected results in clinical research. The data should be evaluated before the end of the study and without entering into details in research that are time-consuming and involve several samples. This is called an interim analysis . The date of interim analysis should be determined at the beginning of the study. The purpose of making interim analysis is to prevent unnecessary cost and effort since it may be necessary to conclude the research after the interim analysis, e.g. studies in which there is no possibility to validate the hypothesis at the end or the occurrence of different side effects of the drug to be used. The accuracy of the hypothesis and number of samples are compared. Statistical significance levels in interim analysis are very important. If the data level is significant, the hypothesis is validated even if the result turns out to be insignificant after the date of the analysis.

Another important point to be considered is the necessity to conclude the participants’ treatment within the period specified in the study protocol. When the result of the study is achieved earlier and unexpected situations develop, the treatment is concluded earlier. Moreover, the participant may quit the study at its own behest, may die or unpredictable situations (e.g. pregnancy) may develop. The participant can also quit the study whenever it wants, even if the study has not ended ( 7 ).

In case the results of a study are contrary to already known or expected results, the expected quality level of the study suggesting the contradiction may be higher than the studies supporting what is known in that subject. This type of bias is called confirmation bias. The presence of well-known mechanisms and logical inference from them may create problems in the evaluation of data. This is called plausibility bias.

Another type of bias is expectation bias. If a result different from the known results has been achieved and it is against the editor’s will, it can be challenged. Bias may be introduced during the publication of studies, such as publishing only positive results, selection of study results in a way to support a view or prevention of their publication. Some editors may only publish research that extols only the positive results or results that they desire.

Bias may be introduced for advertisement or economic reasons. Economic pressure may be applied on the editor, particularly in the cases of studies involving drugs and new medical devices. This is called commercial bias.

In recent years, before beginning a study, it has been recommended to record it on the Web site www.clinicaltrials.gov for the purpose of facilitating systematic interpretation and analysis in scientific research, informing other researchers, preventing bias, provision of writing in a standard format, enhancing contribution of research results to the general literature and enabling early intervention of an institution for support. This Web site is a service of the US National Institutes of Health.

The last stage in the methodology of clinical studies is the selection of intervention to be conducted. Placebo use assumes an important place in interventions. In Latin, placebo means ‘I will be fine’. In medical literature, it refers to substances that are not curative, do not have active ingredients and have various pharmaceutical forms. Although placebos do not have active drug characteristic, they have shown effective analgesic characteristics, particularly in algology applications; further, its use prevents bias in comparative studies. If a placebo has a positive impact on a participant, it is called the placebo effect ; on the contrary, if it has a negative impact, it is called the nocebo effect . Another type of therapy that can be used in clinical research is sham application. Although a researcher does not cure the patient, the researcher may compare those who receive therapy and undergo sham. It has been seen that sham therapies also exhibit a placebo effect. In particular, sham therapies are used in acupuncture applications ( 11 ). While placebo is a substance, sham is a type of clinical application.

Ethically, the patient has to receive appropriate therapy. For this reason, if its use prevents effective treatment, it causes great problem with regard to patient health and legalities.

Before medical research is conducted with human subjects, predictable risks, drawbacks and benefits must be evaluated for individuals or groups participating in the study. Precautions must be taken for reducing the risk to a minimum level. The risks during the study should be followed, evaluated and recorded by the researcher ( 1 ).

After the methodology for a clinical study is determined, dealing with the ‘Ethics Committee’ forms the next stage. The purpose of the ethics committee is to protect the rights, safety and well-being of volunteers taking part in the clinical research, considering the scientific method and concerns of society. The ethics committee examines the studies presented in time, comprehensively and independently, with regard to ethics and science; in line with the Declaration of Helsinki and following national and international standards concerning ‘Good Clinical Practice’. The method to be followed in the formation of the ethics committee should be developed without any kind of prejudice and to examine the applications with regard to ethics and science within the framework of the ethics committee, Regulation on Clinical Trials and Good Clinical Practice ( www.iku.com ). The necessary documents to be presented to the ethics committee are research protocol, volunteer consent form, budget contract, Declaration of Helsinki, curriculum vitae of researchers, similar or explanatory literature samples, supporting institution approval certificate and patient follow-up form.

Only one sister/brother, mother, father, son/daughter and wife/husband can take charge in the same ethics committee. A rector, vice rector, dean, deputy dean, provincial healthcare director and chief physician cannot be members of the ethics committee.

Members of the ethics committee can work as researchers or coordinators in clinical research. However, during research meetings in which members of the ethics committee are researchers or coordinators, they must leave the session and they cannot sign-off on decisions. If the number of members in the ethics committee for a particular research is so high that it is impossible to take a decision, the clinical research is presented to another ethics committee in the same province. If there is no ethics committee in the same province, an ethics committee in the closest settlement is found.

Thereafter, researchers need to inform the participants using an informed consent form. This form should explain the content of clinical study, potential benefits of the study, alternatives and risks (if any). It should be easy, comprehensible, conforming to spelling rules and written in plain language understandable by the participant.

This form assists the participants in taking a decision regarding participation in the study. It should aim to protect the participants. The participant should be included in the study only after it signs the informed consent form; the participant can quit the study whenever required, even when the study has not ended ( 7 ).

Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed.

Author Contributions: Concept - C.Ö.Ç., A.D.; Design - C.Ö.Ç.; Supervision - A.D.; Resource - C.Ö.Ç., A.D.; Materials - C.Ö.Ç., A.D.; Analysis and/or Interpretation - C.Ö.Ç., A.D.; Literature Search - C.Ö.Ç.; Writing Manuscript - C.Ö.Ç.; Critical Review - A.D.; Other - C.Ö.Ç., A.D.

Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.

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How lab design lays the foundation for scientific discovery

Home » Insights » Science + Technology » How lab design lays the foundation for scientific discovery

Mark Paskanik, AIA, Fellow

Lab planning expert | licensed architect.

What is lab planning? Lab planning and design lays the foundation for efficient scientific work. It is the process of taking both basic program elements and highly technical blocks and arranging them to create a space that is both safe and efficient.

Great lab design solves the riddle of how to incorporate more science into less space while creating architectural and engineering balance.

Set Up for Success

In lab planning, the main puzzle pieces that need arrangement are:

• Benching: Includes work tables, casework, and adaptable moveable systems with gases, power, and other utilities.
• Equipment: Ranges from small weighing balances to large freezers and highly technical robots.
• People : Considers how researchers and scientists can be kept safe while working as efficiently and comfortably as possible.

What are the types of labs?

There are several types of labs. Each one requires a slightly different approach to lab planning. Before diving into the various kinds, it’s important to understand the basic difference between wet labs and dry labs .

Testing Labs

Testing labs are usually wet labs and are often used for Quality Control (QC) or analytical purposes. Testing labs often support a bigger piece of the project, such as a manufacturing space, and are responsible for extracting pieces from the line (eg. a drug vial) to test to ensure the product is safe and is doing what is advertised to do.

Research Labs

A research lab could be virtually anything from a dry lab focused on engineering or cancer breakthroughs to a wet lab focused on chemistry research related to pharma or biotech. There is a trend in research labs transitioning from wet lab to dry lab or bioinformatics process as computers allow for more powerful and complex work to be done. Artificial intelligence allows algorithms to make powerful predictions.

Teaching Labs

Academic-based labs have traditionally been found in universities but are now also found increasingly in CGMP facilities that are training and teaching the workforce . Again, they may function as either dry or wet labs.

Lab Guidelines & Practices

The National Institute of Health is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the largest biomedical research agency in the world and provides extensive safety regulations and guidance to labs across America.

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) became the cornerstone of biosafety practice and policy in the United States upon its first publication in 1984. It remains an advisory document laying out recommendations for “best practices for the safe conduct of work in biomedical and clinical laboratories from a biosafety perspective, and is not intended as a regulatory document.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lays out standards for labs regarding chemical hazards, biological hazards and PPE. There are 28 OSHA-approved State Plans, operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an American professional association that provides comprehensive reference manuals for the planning, design, and operation of laboratories.

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulate laboratory testing and require clinical laboratories to be certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before they can accept human samples for diagnostic testing.

The American National Standards Institute provides safety standards for clinical and chemical labs; testing labs; and research and development labs in both industrial and educational facilities pertaining to protective clothing and equipment such as lasers, as well as procedures and lab designs that promote safety.

Biosafety Levels

Scientists use biosafety labs to work with contagious materials safely and effectively. These state-of-the-art labs are designed to protect researchers from contamination and prevent microorganisms from entering the environment.

There are very specific criteria to decide which biosafety level is most appropriate for each individual lab. For example, if a lab is working with a live virus, then the mode of transmission (eg. droplet vs. airborne) will decide which biosafety level the lab will need to follow. Biosafety levels are decided by the environmental health and safety group.

There are four biosafety levels (BSLs) that define proper laboratory techniques, safety equipment, and design, depending on the types of agents being studied:

BSL-1 labs are used to study agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adults. They follow basic safety procedures and do not require any special equipment or design features. No special PPE is required for workers.

BSL-2 labs are used to study moderate-risk agents that pose a danger if accidentally inhaled, swallowed, or exposed to the skin. Safety measures include wearing PPE in the form of gloves and eyewear. The labs must have handwashing sinks and waste decontamination facilities.

BSL-3 labs are used to study agents that can be transmitted through the air and could cause a fatal infection. Researchers in these labs perform manipulations in a gas-tight enclosure. The lab includes safety features such as clothing decontamination, sealed windows, directional airflows, filtered ventilation systems. Staff are required to wear a full PPE suit, so the lab needs to be cooler (approximately 66 degrees) to accommodate comfortable working conditions.

BSL-4 labs are used to study agents that pose a high risk of life-threatening diseases for which no vaccine or therapy is available. These labs incorporate all BSL-3 features and are housed separately from other areas. Staff are required to wear full-body, air-supplied suits and to shower when exiting the facility. They will require significant training before being allowed to work in a BSL-4 lab.

Lab Equipment

Choosing the right equipment is a critical part of the lab planning process. This equipment will also control exposure, thereby keeping scientists safe . Here are some of the main pieces of equipment used.

Biological Safety Cabinets

In their 70 years of use, the basic purpose of biological safety cabinets (BSCs) hasn’t changed much: to filter, recirculate, and exhaust air. However, there have been great technological advances during that time.

Today’s BSCs are more sophisticated, diverse, and efficient so lab owners are able to find and install cabinets uniquely suited to their needs. Lab owners should look for the right-sized cabinets for their lab’s specific hazards and biosafety level.

A fume hood is a safety apparatus that acts like a giant exhaust fan. Fume hoods are used in chemistry labs to allow operators to use chemicals in a safe manner. Some chemicals cannot be exposed to the environment safely, so when a lab employee is pouring and mixing such chemicals, it needs to be done in a fume hood with a closeable window in front of them. This window creates a barrier between the operator and any hazardous chemical reactions that could cause toxic fumes. The fume hood also simultaneously pulls exhaust out of the building into the airspace, eliminating the possibility of a spark or explosion.

Isolators are a main form of protection within labs, creating physical barrier between operators and organisms. But they also have a reputation for slowing things down. Traditional isolator setups were once a major barrier to efficiency due to lengthy decontamination and gowning processes. Today’s isolator technology has changed all that through the use of ionized hydrogen peroxide (IHP) to decontaminate materials much faster, making efficient, continuous throughput possible.

Ventilated Enclosures

This equipment is similar to fume hoods; however, instead of exhausting out of the room they employ HEPA filters. This is important when weighing out powders, for example, which can be lighter than air and disperse into the air. The filter traps the powder and stops it from dispersing.

Ventilated enclosures are especially valuable in robotic installations within labs. Although they require far less safety infrastructure than a human worker, robotics do need an enclosed clean room to ensure safe and consistent sample handling. Today’s ventilated enclosures ensure only particulate-free air comes in contact with the robotic work surface.

How do you make a lab layout?

Why do some research facilities produce more patents? Why do some have greater throughput given the same amount of time and space? Not all labs are created equal. While brilliant minds push science forward, great lab design supports their work by anticipating and filling their needs so they can focus on the work.

Designing an efficient and safe lab is a multi-step process. Here’s how our CRB lab design teams use evidence-based research to work with clients and bring their lab vision to life.

Plan for success

A design kickoff meeting gives all stakeholders an opportunity to voice their ultimate vision for their lab . The goal of this meeting is to arrive at a consensus of the purpose of the space and how it will be used. The planning session is also a good time to review client preferences re: the openness of the work environments. There has been a trend of massive open labs, but certain pieces of science need to happen in private spaces. Understanding what works culturally for a certain lab is an important piece of the puzzle.

In many cases, a high-level visioning process can be used in combination with practical approaches to create that vision in a day. Lab owners are often familiar with certain lab layouts, but it can be exciting to bring new configuration options into the mix.

With careful advanced planning and use of interactive, visual tools, the process itself can build consensus and be fun for the groups involved.

Compile an equipment wish list

A huge component of lab design is configuring the equipment layout. Equipment selection will impact almost every aspect of lab planning:

• Spatial planning
• Determination what type of benching on which to place equipment
• Understanding power, data, and backup power requirements
• Planning for plumbing and HVAC services

When selecting equipment and creating a layout, it’s important to think about what could happen five years into the future. For example, a lab may currently need ten freezers, but it might need many more down the road. Good lab design will allow for additional utilities and floor space.

Know your system requirements

Prior to designing a lab, it is important to gather information on the necessary utilities: HVAC, plumbing/piping, and electrical. Here are the questions lab owners should be asking.

How many air changes are required? The regulations do not dictate how many are required per hour for every scenario, so good judgment is required. It tends to be more prescriptive than absolute, with a need for balancing safety with sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Is pressurization required? The reasons can vary but usually, it is for the following. A chemical lab uses chemicals that are hazardous – this creates a negative pressure space to keep these hazards from leaving the lab. In microbiology labs, many times the material or product needs to be protected from us or the spaces outside of the room. In this case, the room is kept at a positive pressure to keep the room in a clean state.

Are there heat gains that need to be accounted for? Some equipment, such as freezers, will generate a lot of heat. Equipment that generates heat will need plenty of space so the heat gains don’t cause overheating issues. This kind of equipment should never be placed, for example, next to the thermostat.

Plumbing/Piping

Would a centralized vacuum system or a point-of-use system work better? A central system can be a large piece of equipment that distributes services throughout the lab from a single room. Current trends show many central systems such as those used for vacuum and pure water are being replaced with point-of-use systems because they require fewer distribution needs and are more cost-effective. They also offer more redundancy and generally require less maintenance for upkeep.

How much power do you need? Labs typically have very high-power needs but the exact wattage per square foot required is based on how the space will be used. One fume hood usually burns as much energy as two houses per year. Freezers, which may need to store products at -80℃, require a lot of power. (Although, there are new freezers that don’t have a compressor and function similarly to a basic refrigerator.)

How can I centralize power? Electrical system requirements will need to be met with a balance of power and cost. For the sake of efficiency, it’s best to locate higher equipment driven needs in central areas.

What kind of backup do I need? Even a momentary power loss can have significant consequences for computerized equipment. In the worst-case scenario, all data can be lost. If it’s critical data, as it often is in a lab setting, then battery power protects it. You might also need larger backup systems in the form of a UPS or generator that will kick on to cover everything from computers to freezers to incubators.

Define lab capacity

Laboratory capacity is a variable component. One lab’s capacity might be determined by its output, while another might be defined by the number of personnel. Each company must determine how it will define capacity for its laboratories. The options for measuring laboratory capacity generally fall into three categories:

• Operations-based: These are the labs that are throughput oriented. A capacity statement for this type of lab would be: “The maximum capacity of X-Laboratory is 10 projects running simultaneously or 5,000 samples tested per day.”
• Equipment-based: These labs are equipment oriented, with only one or two major types of equipment—and lots of it. A capacity statement for this type of lab would be: “The maximum capacity of X-Laboratory is 14 HPLCs.”
• Headcount-based: These labs are personnel oriented. Capacity for this type of lab is based on a careful examination of the amount of bench space that each researcher/scientist requires to do his or her work. A capacity statement for this type of lab would be: “The maximum capacity of X-Laboratory is 10 people.”

A detailed understanding of lab processes will help to determine capacity. It can also ultimately impact the company’s bottom line. For example, identifying lab equipment and processes that can be shared with other groups can help save on future costs and help redefine the most efficient lab capacity for planning purposes.

Creating flexibility

Science is changing faster than ever, and it can be frustrating to feel that a lab is barely complete before it’s time to renovate and accommodate new technology. Traditionally, laboratory design has been based on a rigid layout with rows of benches. In many cases, this can be a very effective and efficient approach, but integrating modular layouts with collaboration and workplace spaces can also have a very positive effect on the culture and environment of the research.

Instead of renovating a lab as science changes, a modular lab design creates adaptable spaces. It may use things like tables on wheels, electrical connections hanging from the ceiling, and sets of plug-and-play quick connects.

Modular designs factor in:

• Relationship of the office to the lab
• Level of openness and flexibility
• Percentage and location of collaboration/interaction spaces
• Blurred lines of territory

Modular layouts can also be set up to run in both east-west and north-south directions. A traditional lab layout is usually based on only one direction, but if your module allows for benches to be rotated 90 degrees you can have more freedom in your design. There are also other unique ways to use a modular layout. A hexagonal shape can create a unique way of displaying work for touring while also increasing the linear feet of usable bench space.

Safety first

Lab safety is constantly in flux. Every industry is under pressure to continually audit their equipment and make decisions about when and how to install the latest solutions. As labs become more sophisticated, their safety infrastructure must keep pace. In many older labs, workers are protected by equipment that was once sufficient but can no longer keep up with modern safety guidelines.

When embarking on a new lab design, it’s important to integrate safety within the project from the start. Here are some to keep in mind:

Chemical storage

It is paramount to incorporate a hazardous chemicals management strategy into your building’s design. The building code has regulations about how certain chemicals should be used or stored in the space. Larger amounts of chemicals will bring in stricter regulations, as will where the building is located. Unfortunately, many labs still don’t organize their chemicals using an effective inventory management system and may not know what potential chemicals are in use.

Good signage

Using good signage is a simple way to promote safety without any added cost. For example, gas bottles and cylinders can be strapped to casework and equipment, but unless they are properly positioned, they can cause safety issues. Post clear signage on how to do so. The same can be said for fire extinguisher locations.

Establish tour routes

Want funding? You will need to show your work. When planning your lab, include tour routes for potential clients and donors so that they can safely visit without affecting efficiency. The bonus? Greater built-in safety from the start.

Lab safety is a complex issue that requires close, individual assessment. One lab’s solution may involve cutting-edge exposure control technology, while another lab may simply need better signage. Regardless of your lab’s scope, keep safety front of mind in every step of lab planning and design.

The Human Factor

If a lab is a place of research, then it is also a place for researchers. Good lab planning, therefore, must take the human factor into account. In the past, lab spaces had a bad reputation for stale air and basement vibes with little or no daylight. There is an increased focus on employee wellness and good workflow to encourage happy workers. Some labs have even gone as far as creating bright, social space like Silicon Valley tech startups.

Bring the outdoors in

Let the sun shine in! Outdoor views positively impact overall well-being and attentional focus. There are specific health benefits too: when your eyes can refocus on different distances, it exercises your dilating muscles. Providing views to lab occupants has been shown to decrease cases of eye strain and nearsightedness.

Daylight also helps regulate circadian rhythms, which improves health and productivity . Employees with views of natural light experienced a reduction in absenteeism and an increase in productivity, job satisfaction, work involvement, and organizational attachment.

Collaboration zones

Collaboration fuels creativity. Therefore, creating comfortable spaces for collaboration is part of good lab design. “Collision” spots—the places along circulation routes and public areas where occupants cross paths—can be leveraged to create serendipitous encounters. These small nooks and other gathering spots can encourage face-to-face interaction and sharing if they include connection (Wi-Fi), comfortable seating, coffee, and other amenities.

It is also very valuable to have designated meeting space within the lab zone. This removes the need for researchers to take off all their PPE, leave the lab space, and travel back and forth from a conference room. By using a location adjacent to the entry/exit to the lab, someone from the outside can come into this interim space with lower levels of PPE required. Consider adding a table, comfortable seating, a whiteboard, and a TV screen to these areas.

Lab planners design spaces for the scientists who use them, not just the science. This means taking ergonomics into account to promote good posture and minimize the exertion and motions to complete a task. Using adjustable chairs, benches, sit-to-stand desks, and other ergonomically beneficial furniture and fixtures contribute to a comfortable and safe work environment.

In the lab, ambient lighting is often insufficient for work at the bench. Beyond proper brightness, task lighting can also provide other important lab features, such as proper color rendering, temperature, directionality, and diffusion.

The bonus? Paying attention to ergonomics boosts productivity . For example, positioning a workstation for easy access to instrumentation and tools saves both time and effort.

Robotic automation

Robotic automation has arrived in labs and it has brought endless exciting opportunities with it. There are three different tiers of automation available to labs:

Entry-level automation

There is probably a low level of automation already in every lab. This might be a small piece of equipment—sometimes no larger than a coffee machine—that automates a repetitive task, such as extracting DNA from samples. Implementing one low-level piece of automation in a lab can free up the scientists significantly, allowing them to use their time and increase productivity more effectively.

Another place to consider adding low-level automation is in the data entry process. Digitizing the system for recording patient and sample information frees up time and personnel. It also ensures more accurate records.

Mid-level automation

A medium amount of automation typically puts a couple of processes into a contained box. There are still manual functions in the lab, but a few repetitive tasks can be eliminated by bringing in an equipment system that addresses part of the process.

This medium example takes our coffee machine and turns it into an entire room that could be 11’ x 20’ in size (call it a Starbucks if you want). In this example, all the equipment associated with both pre- and post-polymerase chain reaction work can be placed on a racking system with a sliding collaborative robot arm.

Pro-level automation

While a high-level of automation or a fully automated process might not be the most expedient or feasible solution currently, it is worth mentioning for the future. In this instance, robotic automation would conduct the entirety of test processing, even moving samples in and out.

While the equipment to make this happen is hard to come by now, new robotics for lab automation are constantly developing. Consider budgeting to invest in more automation as it becomes available to better prepare your lab for future uncertainty and fluctuations. This can create a great opportunity to have a sustainable lab with a greater reduction in air change rates.

QualTex Laboratories incorporated a new 17,000-square-foot production facility with automated blood testing capabilities.

The future of labs

Lab capacity is at an all-time high due to both rapid innovation and pressing pandemic needs. However, the life sciences boom predates the pandemic. From 2009 to the end of 2019, the amount of lab space in the United States grew from 17 million to 29 million square feet , buoyed by big technological advances such as the sequencing of the genome and rising computational prowess. Add in a significant investment in ramping up lab space amid the race for coronavirus therapies and vaccines, and labs are experiencing an unprecedented push. The urgency of creating more lab space has triggered new trends:

Converting empty offices

With the pandemic triggering remote work and thus an exodus from office buildings, life science labs are looking to convert those spaces to fit their needs. After all, researchers cannot do their jobs from home. Commercial landlords are being asked to swap out cubicles for centrifuges. Making the flip isn’t always easy though: labs typically need generous ceiling heights of 15 feet or more to allow for utilities, large amounts of square footage, and solid foundations to protect against vibration.

Banding together

To bolster resilience and reduce overhead, incubator-style lab ecosystems are popping up around the country. Often, these research hubs are located near universities to tap into their talent pool. In these setups, a multi-story building houses lab space on each floor, each hosting a different tenant—often startups in cell and gene therapy or immunotherapy. The hubs combine shared state-of-the-art lab equipment and business services, offering scalable lab spaces and adjacent office spaces for corporate partners, venture capital, and contract service firms. The goal of these ecosystems is to offer spaces for every business from small start-ups to multi-floor tenants.

Building Up

As companies look for lab space, many are headed into the city . An unprecedented number of labs are making their homes in downtown cores. This means they must build up rather than out. This trend brings with it a host of code conundrums, as many chemicals have strict restrictions on how high they can be stored. A thorough knowledge of the applicable regulations and creative solutions are required to make these labs work.

Laboratory owners in all fields are challenged to create research environments with limited budgets and resources. To meet the needs of their people, the planet, and their company’s profit, they need meticulous lab planning and design. Labs should not only meet the vision and business objectives of lab owners, but should also include flexibility, efficiency, safety, and robust utility/engineering systems.

Working with an experienced team of lab designers who understand how to optimize every element, know the relevant regulations, and can bring an intimate knowledge of trends will set your lab up for long-term scientific success.

Ready to start your next lab project? Our laboratory design experts are here to help.

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