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Application scientist vs research scientist

The differences between application scientists and research scientists 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 research scientist. Additionally, a research scientist has an average salary of $89,998, which is higher than the $89,939 average annual salary of an application scientist.

The top three skills for an application scientist include diagnostics, technical support and sample preparation. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.

Application scientist vs research scientist overview

Application ScientistResearch Scientist
Yearly salary$89,939$89,998
Hourly rate$43.24$43.27
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs63,31493,013
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

What does an application scientist do?

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.

What does a research scientist do?

The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.

Application scientist vs research scientist salary

Application scientists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Application ScientistResearch Scientist
Average salary$89,939$89,998
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $141,000Between $58,000 And $137,000
Highest paying CityConcord, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAccelrysLyft
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between application scientist and research scientist education

There are a few differences between an application scientist and a research scientist in terms of educational background:

Application ScientistResearch Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Application scientist vs research scientist demographics

Here are the differences between application scientists' and research scientists' demographics:

Application ScientistResearch Scientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 62.9% Female, 37.1%Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between application scientist and research scientist duties and responsibilities

Application scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Develop and standardize protocol for pathogen detection in food matrices using real time PCR.
  • Utilize free energy perturbation and molecular dynamics approaches to evaluate binding of proprietary camptothecins to DNA.
  • Structure-Base design and synthesis of biologically active compounds targeting SH2 domains for the treatment of osteoporosis and/or cancer.
  • Conduct technology comparison study to assess applicability of a wide range of chromatography products to support specific HTS assays.
  • Develop new product QC program significantly reducing costs and delays for experimental vaccine.
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Research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Used real-time PCR and DNA sequencing to troubleshoot and validate SNP base and gene expression assays.
  • Prepare clear technical presentations to NIH department heads in annual seminars.
  • Analyze chromatin dynamics during primordial germ cell specification with a CRISPR mouse model.
  • Identify impurities in final drug by LCMS and reject impurities with ethanol/water swish.
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Application scientist vs research scientist skills

Common application scientist skills
  • Diagnostics, 10%
  • Technical Support, 9%
  • Sample Preparation, 7%
  • Application Support, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 5%
Common research scientist skills
  • Python, 11%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • C++, 6%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Chemistry, 5%

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