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The differences between application scientists and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an application scientist and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, an application scientist has an average salary of $89,939, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for an application scientist include diagnostics, technical support and sample preparation. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $89,939 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $43.24 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 63,314 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The duties of an application scientist vary in one's place of employment. Typically, they are in charge of providing services to customers in their laboratory equipment needs. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients and fellow scientists, providing technical support through appointments and meetings, discussing and explaining conditions, and even test samples in different scientific applications. Furthermore, as an application scientist, it is essential to implement the laboratory's safety policies and regulations to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Application scientists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $89,939 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $141,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Concord, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Accelrys | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Professional |
There are a few differences between an application scientist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between application scientists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Application Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |