Associate staff scientist vs research scientist

The differences between associate staff 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 associate staff scientist and a research scientist. Additionally, a research scientist has an average salary of $89,998, which is higher than the $88,792 average annual salary of an associate staff scientist.

The top three skills for an associate staff scientist include FDA, sops and cellular assays. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.

Associate staff scientist vs research scientist overview

	Associate Staff Scientist	Research Scientist
Yearly salary	$88,792	$89,998
Hourly rate	$42.69	$43.27
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	111,254	93,013
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Associate staff scientist vs research scientist salary

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

	Associate Staff Scientist	Research Scientist
Average salary	$88,792	$89,998
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $126,000	Between $58,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City	San Carlos, CA	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	California
Best paying company	SAS Institute	Lyft
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between associate staff scientist and research scientist education

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

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

Associate staff scientist vs research scientist demographics

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

	Associate Staff Scientist	Research Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9%	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between associate staff scientist and research scientist 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.

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.

Associate staff scientist vs research scientist skills

Common associate staff scientist skills

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

Common research scientist skills

Python, 11%
Data Analysis, 6%
Patients, 6%
C++, 6%
Research Projects, 6%
Chemistry, 5%

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Associate Staff Scientist
Associate Staff Scientist vs Research Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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