Wet labs and dry labs are two very different environments, but both play a crucial role in a number of scientific jobs and discoveries! A lot of scientific studies require research and data from both wet and dry labs, but the laboratories themselves couldn't be more different. Today we're going to take a look at wet and dry labs to show you the differences between the two spaces.
What is a wet lab?
Wet labs (also known as experimental labs) are designed for handling and researching a range of 'wet' materials including:
- liquids
- chemicals
- biological matter
- drugs
- enzymes
A wet lab might look a bit like a typical 'laboratory' that you sat in during your science lessons at school or university. You'll remember seeing Bunsen burners, sinks and a wide range of experimental apparatus and safety features around the room, all of which are there to help you carry out experiments & keep you safe.
In order for scientists to work safely in a wet lab, the workspace needs to be carefully designed to eliminate hazards. When doing 'wet' experiments with hazardous materials, there's a potential risk of chemical spills, fires and even injuries, so wet labs need to be fully equipped for the potential challenges.
Researchers that work in a wet lab need to know and understand laboratory techniques and safety procedures. Most scientists that work in a wet lab will have a degree in their chosen field, and will have gained lots of experience working in wet labs during their studies. Someone with poor scientific or safety knowledge could be a real risk in a wet lab!
Examples of wet lab jobs
If you're interested in working in a wet lab where you'll be handling chemicals, drugs and other physical samples, there are lots of jobs for you to choose from. Here are just a few sectors that could be perfectly suited to you.
- Bioprocessing
- Quality control
- Drug discovery
- Forensics
- Life sciences
- Pharmaceutical
- Clinical research
Use the buttons below to navigate to some of the science roles we currently have on offer in wet lab fields!
Drug Discovery Roles > Life Science Roles > Bioprocessing Roles > Pharmaceutical >
What is a dry lab?
A dry lab is a laboratory space set up for computational simulations & experiments. Rather than carrying out physical tests on chemicals, drugs and other samples, scientists in dry laboratories use computer-generated models to simulate scenarios in our physical realm. This could include (but is not limited to) simulating:
- molecular changes of state
- event horizons of black holes
- predicting the growth of certain cancers
These computational simulations are often used to explore scenarios that are too dangerous or impossible to test in a wet laboratory. Most dry labs are filled with high-tech computers and equipment that is capable of handling tasks similar to those outlined above. Some of the results that come from a dry lab are theoretical and not yet plausible. That being said, the research done in dry labs can help scientists predict phenomenon with a relatively high degree of accuracy, making dry-labbing one of the most important elements of modern-day scientific research.
Examples of dry lab jobs
If you're interested in working in a dry lab where you'll be processing data and creating computational simulations, you'll find lots of suitable roles in these sectors:
- Academia and research
- Information systems and technology
- Engineering
- Data science
- Technology
Use the buttons below to navigate to some of the science roles we currently have on offer in dry lab fields!
Relocating to the US for your pharmaceutical career
If you'll be relocating to the US from another country, you may need a work visa.
The specific type of visa you need will depend on your country of origin, the company's needs and whether the employment is permanent or a temporary assignment. Your prospective employer will discuss this with you.
If you're looking for a career in the pharma industry, HRS can help! We work with top pharmaceutical employers on both sides of the Atlantic to find the right people for a range of different roles. Use the links below to browse the latest vacancies, or enquire now for more information.
