[komichero]

I've just started looking for entry level positions for lab work, mainly lab technicians and lab assistant positions. I just graduated with my Bachelor's in Biochem with a minor in Bio with a 3.3 GPA. I have a year of experience doing research and I have taken 8 different bio, chem, or biochem lab courses. I have seen salaries from 25,000 to 60,000 dollars and benefits have been all over the place. I don't know how much I should ask for or if I can even push for benefits? This would be my first "adult" job and I have no one to help me. Besides pay, what kind of responsibilities will be expected of me? More specifically, how do I avoid people taking advantage of me? When I did research as an undergrad all of the PhD students gave me a lot of their projects to work on, on top of my own project. I found out later I shouldn't have been responsible for any other projects besides my own. General advice would be great as well.

[jeffmoonchop]

I would try to start higher than technician. Try and look for entry-level R&D roles where you do more interesting work. I don't know about salary though I started off in England but now in Canada at a mid-senior level.

It's hard to negotiate salary at entry level. Your value to them isnt as great as someone with experience. Most of the time entry-level have set salaries.