I'm a research scientist in the medical field. I graduated from my masters nearly 5 years ago now and have been working in the same field since then with a change in medical research sub-topic (one area of research to another - way of thinking is the same but some new theory and new instrumentation) about 3 years ago.
I work for a company and slowly made my way up to a medical scientist (intermediate level) about 1.5 years ago. Then, I was given the responsibility of an advanced level scientist as a senior manager requested me for the job for this solo project. Everyone thought it was a big undertaking and although the project ended up needing to be repeated, it was through no fault of mine (had issues with machine not performing consistently and human errors on the part of my assistant) but as I was managing and leading it, I was seen as responsible for this somehow. Everyone realised I was doing the jobs of about 8 different people but managing it all myself with 1 junior working under me.
Despite repeat of the experiment being needed, it was realised that the machine I was instructed to run my project on it's fit for purpose anyway and I should use a newer different type of machine which had many advantages and a team had began using it and bought it in a few months ago.
So, for my project repeat, I would be using that machine so would need to join that team. In that team, there consists of 2 advanced scientists and a few intermediate scientists (but many who are beginner-intermediate and given the intermediate position very recently compared to me who has been in that position for quite a while). They adopt an agile scrum way of project management and say the idea is that EVERYONE regardless of position chips into all the tasks - yet when it comes to somewhat menial labour/lab tasks, it's only the intermediate scientists in the group who are put on shift to get those housekeeping/labourous tasks done and the advanced scientists get to do more desk based science and analysis.
So, I'm feeling like I've taken a step down in my career as when I was doing the solo project, the junior (beginner) scientist/intern was doing the menial tasks that is now being required of me.
I don't look down on any jobs and I'm happy to chip in with whatever task but what bugs me is they emphasis that everyone has to chip into all tasks but why the advanced scientists aren't willing to get their hands dirty and by this step back, I'm using up hours doing these menial tasks rather than developing my own learning. I started my career doing these menial lab tasks and was happy doing so until I progressed but now to be back at square 1 with others who joined much more recently than me feels crushing.
One of the advanced scientists is my manager and she wasn't happy that I was given the solo project before as she wanted it so she seemed almost happy that my project needs to be repeated and invited/urged me to join her team so I can use the newer machine. She's nice and supportive but I feel she likes to keep me just one step below her & I feel I can't distinguish myself from other intermediate scientists if all I am given is the same menial tasks as them.
By the way, this exp needing to be repeated is quite the norm for this company. Most projects are failures (even more so than mine and everyone is repeating everything all the time).
Any advice please?
I know this sounds snobby but it's not intended like that, honest. Just feel sad :(