Associate staff scientist vs phd researcher

The differences between associate staff scientists and phd researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate staff scientist and an phd researcher. Additionally, an associate staff scientist has an average salary of $88,792, which is higher than the $51,634 average annual salary of an phd researcher.

The top three skills for an associate staff scientist include FDA, sops and cellular assays. The most important skills for an phd researcher are python, chemistry, and research projects.

Associate staff scientist vs phd researcher overview

	Associate Staff Scientist	PHD Researcher
Yearly salary	$88,792	$51,634
Hourly rate	$42.69	$24.82
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	111,254	19,736
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Doctoral Degree, 40%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Associate staff scientist vs phd researcher salary

Associate staff scientists and phd researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Associate Staff Scientist	PHD Researcher
Average salary	$88,792	$51,634
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $126,000	Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	San Carlos, CA	Novato, CA
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	California
Best paying company	SAS Institute	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between associate staff scientist and phd researcher education

There are a few differences between an associate staff scientist and an phd researcher in terms of educational background:

	Associate Staff Scientist	PHD Researcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Doctoral Degree, 40%
Most common major	Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	Duke University

Associate staff scientist vs phd researcher demographics

Here are the differences between associate staff scientists' and phd researchers' demographics:

	Associate Staff Scientist	PHD Researcher
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9%	Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.5% White, 47.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between associate staff scientist and phd researcher duties and responsibilities

Associate staff scientist example responsibilities.

Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Process client samples requiring DNA purification and DNA characterization.
Perform sequencing and real time PCR.
Conduct research on global regulatory networks using mutagenesis and DNA microarray techniques.
Conduct behavioral neurobiology pharmaceutical research including data analysis, record keeping following FDA regulations.
Key activities include process chemistry development, synthesis of intermediates, compound purification and structure identification, and comprehensive scientific documentation.

Phd researcher example responsibilities.

Manage and mentore graduate and undergraduate students in their physical chemistry relate studies and research projects on spin dynamics simulations.
Evaluate data employing GC/MS, gel electrophoresis, and UV/VIS spectroscopy.
Perform testing using gel electrophoresis as well as mixed and pour the gels used in testing
Optimize and redesign robotic components base on FEA for improve strength using ANSYS and SOLIDWORKS.
Coauthor an NIH grant proposal on DNA mismatch repair and malaria drug resistance (5R21AI072723-02).
Design a scent dispenser 3D model in SolidWorks and build a prototype by utilizing MasterCam and CNC machines.

Associate staff scientist vs phd researcher skills

Common associate staff scientist skills

FDA, 68%
Sops, 8%
Cellular Assays, 8%
DNA, 6%
Data Collection, 5%
PCR, 5%

Common phd researcher skills

Python, 9%
Chemistry, 8%
Research Projects, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
Renewable Energy, 6%
C++, 5%

Associate Staff Scientist vs. similar jobs

Associate Staff Scientist related careers

Associate Staff Scientist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Associate Staff Scientist
Associate Staff Scientist vs PHD Researcher

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs