Lab Automation Scientist
Designs and implements automated laboratory systems using robotics, liquid handling systems and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Optimises high-throughput workflows for genomics, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics.
- AI exposure
- 36 of 100, low exposure
- Hiring trend
- Rising
- Hiring rate
- 40%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Time to senior
- 7 years
- Adaptation level
- Moderate
A day in the role
Programs a liquid handling robot for a high-throughput PCR workflow, troubleshoots a LIMS integration issue, optimises the daily sample throughput, and trains technicians on the automated system.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 110,000-160,000
- Mid
- KES 220,000-370,000
- Senior
- KES 450,000-800,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 38% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside science the mean is 45, across 71 careers.
What the rating is made of
Share of recorded tasks- Machine does it
- 25%Software can already complete this work end to end.
- Machine assists
- 50%A person still decides, but the drafting is done for them.
- Person does it
- 25%Judgement, relationships and accountability that do not transfer.
Named task by task
Already automated
- Optimising automated workflow schedules
- Predicting equipment maintenance needs
- Generating LIMS configuration templates
- Analysing throughput bottlenecks
Still human
- Designing automated lab workflows
- Programming robotic liquid handlers
- Integrating instruments with LIMS
- Troubleshooting automation failures
- Training lab staff on automated systems
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
8 courses- Diploma in Dairy TechnologyKsh 64,120a year
- Craft Certificate in Food Processing and Preservation TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical ChemistryKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Applied BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Food Science and TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Petroleum and GeoscienceKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Science Laboratory TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
How people get in
Lab science or engineering degree
4 yearsHigh cost
BSc from UoN, JKUAT or KU
Lab tech + automation training
3-5 yearsMedium cost
Medical lab technology plus programming and automation skills
Who hires
- KEMRI
- ILRI
- Pathologists Lancet Kenya
- Lancet Laboratories
- Genetic Health Kenya
Common misconceptions
Lab automation eliminates lab scientists
It elevates scientists from manual pipetting to system design, optimisation and data analysis.
Only for large pharma
Mid-size diagnostic labs and research institutions are increasingly adopting automation.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Supply and demand
- Demand
- 40
- Supply pressure
- 10
- Balance
- High demand
What to learn
- Robotic programming
- LIMS integration
- Workflow optimisation
Related careers
Kenyan market notes
Large diagnostic labs like Lancet and research institutions like KEMRI are adopting automation. COVID-19 demonstrated the need for high-throughput testing. Growing demand for scientists who can bridge biology and automation engineering.
Further reading
This role is rated 36 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.