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Lab Operations Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Lab Tech Aide - 2nd Shift

Altavista, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $22/hr

Altavista, VA - 24517 Duration: 09 Months Shift: 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM Key Responsibilities: * Assist ... Perform other duties as assigned to support lab operations during the 2nd shift. Qualifications:

Perform laboratory tasks similar to Lab Tech Aide on 2nd shift, supporting daily operations * Assist in sample collection, preparation, and processing to ensure accurate testing * Maintain ...

Contribute to student learning through instruction, mentorship, and facilitation of hands-on experiences. * Assist with lab operations including maintaining supplies, ensuring equipment functionality ...

... daily lab operations -recruiting, screening, scheduling, consenting, and running participants ... research assistants -assisting with IRB management, grant applications, data processing and ...

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Lab Operations Assistant information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$20

$29

How much do lab operations assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab operations assistant in Virginia is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $22.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do I need to be a lab assistant?

To be a lab operations assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some roles preferring postsecondary education or certifications in laboratory techniques or science. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with laboratory equipment and safety protocols are also important qualifications.

What is the difference between Lab Operations Assistant vs Lab Technician?

AspectLab Operations AssistantLab Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certifications in lab safety or proceduresAssociate's degree or certification in laboratory technology or related field
Work EnvironmentSupportive lab settings, assisting with administrative and basic technical tasksHands-on technical work, performing experiments, tests, and data collection
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across research labs, healthcare, and industrial labs for support rolesCommonly employed in clinical, research, and industrial laboratories for technical duties

While both roles support laboratory operations, the Lab Operations Assistant primarily handles administrative and basic support tasks, whereas the Lab Technician performs technical procedures and experiments. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lab Operations jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Lab Operations jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Lab Operations Assistant jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Lab Operations Assistant job openings:
Laboratory Research Operations Assistant

Laboratory Research Operations Assistant

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$19 - $21.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


University Of Virginia rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

92nd of 529 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Connelly Laboratory at the University of Virginia is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Laboratory Research Operations Assistant to join our interdisciplinary research team. This position is ideal for candidates interested in gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of molecular biology, neuroscience, and animal behavior.
The Connelly Lab conducts cutting-edge research in translational neuroepigenetics, with a focus on how DNA methylation and gene regulation shape brain development, behavior, and health across the lifespan. Our work integrates molecular biology, genomics, imaging and animal models to understand how early-life experiences-particularly birth interventions-impact the oxytocin system in mothers and offspring.
We are a well-funded, collaborative, and highly productive lab, offering opportunities for meaningful scientific contribution and professional development. Learn more at www.connellylab.com .
Position Overview
The Laboratory Research Operations Assistant will work closely with Professor Jessica Connelly and lab members to support both research execution and laboratory operations. This role combines molecular biology, imaging, and animal behavior research, and lab management, making it ideal for candidates seeking a broad and immersive research experience.
The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining an active animal colony, generating molecular data, collecting imaging data and supporting experimental workflows, while also contributing to the overall functioning of a dynamic research environment.
Key Responsibilities
  • Maintain and manage a small animal breeding colony, including daily husbandry
  • Conduct and record behavioral observations and analyses
  • Assist with small animal surgical procedures
  • Perform tissue collection, processing, and biobanking
  • Isolate and analyze DNA and RNA from tissues and cells
  • Assist with cell culture and molecular biology workflows
  • Assist with confocal and other imaging modalities, including neuroimaging
  • Maintain accurate, detailed experimental records and ensure data quality
  • Manage laboratory inventory, reagents, and supplies
  • Ensure compliance with institutional animal care and safety protocols
  • Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants
  • Support general laboratory operations, including organization, maintenance, and workflow optimization
  • Contribute to manuscripts, grant preparation, and scientific presentations
  • Other duties as assigned

What We Offer
  • Direct mentorship from the PI and senior scientists
  • Opportunities for authorship on scientific publications
  • Experience contributing to grant writing and experimental design
  • Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences
  • A collaborative, intellectually engaging lab environment

Minimum Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • At least 1 year of laboratory experience (including undergraduate research); Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a life science discipline
  • Experience with rodent models and animal handling
  • Background in animal behavior analysis
  • Experience with dissection and/or small animal surgery
  • Familiarity with DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, or molecular biology techniques
  • Experience with cell culture
  • Experience with neuroimaging pipeline design and analysis

Salary range: $19.00-$21.50/hour (commensurate with experience)
Physical Demands: This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other benchwork and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.
This is a restricted position; continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.
This position is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a full-time benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits .
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role
The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.
Application Process:
Please apply online , and search for R0082682. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website . Complete an application online with the following documents:
  • CV/Resume
  • Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all the required documents will not receive full consideration. This position is open until filled.
References will be completed via UVA's standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three are required.
For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, js9rk@virginia.edu.
Job Profile
J1882 - Laboratory Research Operations and Service 1
Career Stream and Level
Operations and Service-O1
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819