Community Forum – Tell us about your laboratory technical support staff titling structure

Our organization recently went through a career ladder revamp and the last piece in this project is to make sure we have the appropriate titles for the laboratory technical support staff.  Please take a minute to let us know about the titles your organization uses for this group.  

• 1: Technician 2: Senior Technician 3: Technician Specialist 4: Senior Technician Specialist 5: Master Technician
  • 1: 0 experience needed.  Formal degree / training preferred  2: 2+ years of experience needed.  Formal degree / training preferred and could be considered in lieu of experience  3:  5+ of applicable experience.  Formal degree / training preferred and could be considered in lieu of experience   4: 8+ experience needed.  Formal degree / training preferred and could be considered in lieu of experience  5: 10+ experience needed.  Formal degree / training preferred and could be considered in lieu of experience.  Broadly recognized as an expert 

• Scientist/Engineer, Lead Scientist/Engineer, Senior Scientist/Engineer, Principal
  • Bachelor’s required; Masters or PhD preferred for many roles

• Technician I, Technician II, Senior Technician, Master Technician, Technical Coordinator
  • High School, Associate’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree

• Non-exempt, Technicians: Entry, Journey, Senior, Associate Exempt, Technologists: Entry, Technologist, Senior, Principal, Associate
  • Technicians: 2 yr minimum historically, today more with 4 yr Technologist: 2-4 yr, focused on the role requirements

• Non-degreed:  Technician, Sr. Technician, Associate Chemist I, II, III Degreed:  Chemist/Scientist I, II, III, IV, R&D Associate, Sr. R&D Associate, Sr. Professional Scientist, Principal Scientist
  • Non-degreed positions:  HS or Associates Degree Degreed positions: minimum BS in Engineering or Science field

• Technician (1, 2, 3, 4), Technologist (1, 2, 3), Specialist for specific functional areas
  • Technician – high school diploma, Technologist – associates degree

• Research Technician, Sr. Research Technician
  • Technical diploma for Research Technician, 5+ years experience for Sr. Research Technician

• Only one level, Technician
  • None, Associates Degree preferred

• For Principle Investigators [Ph.D’s] – Research/Sr. Research/Research Associate/ Sr. Res. Assoc./Res. Fellow Scientists/Engineers; For non-Ph.Ds – Research/Sr. Research Technician, Tech Specialist
  • Ph.Ds as Principle Investigators; all others non-PhDs

• Engineering Assistant, Sr Engineering Assistant
  • High School or Associates Degree.