Laboratory analyst

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a laboratory analyst at the Customs Laboratory, where my job involves analysing samples. Our main aim at the laboratory is to identify illegally imported substances. I also analyse samples related to fuel quality control. Fuels are examined to ensure that the fuel used in Finland is high quality and as environmentally friendly as possible.

In addition to doing analysis, my work involves maintaining the analysis equipment, such as doing minor repairs and communicating with maintenance companies. I am also responsible for hazardous chemical waste at the Customs Laboratory, its disposal and related reporting. In addition, I am responsible for preparing instructions for handling chemical waste and training my coworkers.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I have always liked chemistry and other natural sciences. After upper secondary school, I went to the Helsinki Polytechnic to become a laboratory analyst. After graduating, I have worked in the same profession at two different workplaces for twenty years now.

Describe your typical working day or week.

The content of my workday varies depending on the shift I am working. Certain tasks are cycled weekly to make sure that their workload is distributed more evenly among all team members.

Usually, my day starts with checking emails and other work-related messages. They can include urgent requests to analyse certain samples. These requests can arrive at any time during the day, and we have to react to them immediately. In some situations, the results are needed that same day, so workdays often go longer than planned. We do other tasks, such as laboratory maintenance, between analyses.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work in the laboratory and at the office. At the Customs Laboratory, we only work day shifts with flexitime, which means that our shifts are between 6 am and 8 pm.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

In this profession, you need to know chemistry and laboratory analytics and how to use the related equipment. Laboratory work involves continuous learning, because the world is changing constantly at a fast pace. Being motivated and interested in the work is important for keeping up with development.

Laboratory analysts are required to be flexible because there are always changes that come up and not everything goes as planned. You also need initiative and the ability to tolerate pressure. In addition, my specific task requires the VAK safety advisor qualification for transporting hazardous materials because I am responsible for handling chemical waste at the Customs Laboratory.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best part of a laboratory analyst's work is the versatility of the tasks and the opportunity to learn new things and develop in your profession.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

The versatility and variability of the work are also its drawbacks, as I sometimes find myself looking for safe routines. Continuous self-development and working with a tight schedule at a constant low level of stress does take its toll. Fortunately, there are some quieter weeks as well.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a laboratory analyst?

The range of work for laboratory analysts is huge, so in this profession, you can focus on different kinds of tasks and develop your competence according to your interests. Daily tasks include using different kinds of systems, analytics applications and devices, so working in this profession requires technical skills. You also need to understand the scientific phenomena that are being analysed to be able to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice.

How do you see the future of your profession?

I am sure that the Customs Laboratory will need analysts in the future as well. I hope that, going forward, automation will make work easier and free up resources for tasks that we do not currently have time to do.