Can a lab manager position hurt PhD admission chances?

[neurosoc]

If you have an undergraduate degree from a top university and an otherwise competitive application for top programs, can a year of full-time lab manager or research assistant work at a low-ranked university (say, 20-40) hurt your chances? Could adcomms see you, consciously or unconsciously, as a low-tier applicant? Or is all experience good experience?

[Clinapp2017]

No, it doesn't hurt. 

 

If you are able to stay for 1.5-2 years and get some posters and (even better) 1-2 publications, even better. 

[psychology_student_]

16 minutes ago, neurosoc said:

If you have an undergraduate degree from a top university and an otherwise competitive application for top programs, can a year of full-time lab manager or research assistant work at a low-ranked university (say, 20-40) hurt your chances? Could adcomms see you, consciously or unconsciously, as a low-tier applicant? Or is all experience good experience?

adcomms will see you as someone who thinks that a "low-ranked" university is in the top 40 and that's how they'll deny you. your pretentious attitude aside, any experience is good experience.

[ResilientDreams]

Oh my gosh. Top 20-40 is NOT low ranked. 

[ventiamericano]

I have never heard of a lab manager experience hurting someone's application if anything, it'd be the opposite.