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The differences between bioinformaticians 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 a bioinformatician and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a bioinformatician has an average salary of $71,359, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a bioinformatician include python, data analysis and next-generation sequencing. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $71,359 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $34.31 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 16,034 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Bioinformaticians are experts who are responsible for developing and conducting research by using methods and software tools to collect and analyze complex biological data. By combining their research in biology, medicine, and health-related studies with information technology, these bioinformaticians are required to interpret data that covers areas such as genetics or pharmaceutics. They must develop databases to compile a large amount of information from activities such as gene expression profiling and protein expression. Bioinformaticians must also maintain laboratory documents and keep updated with scientific or medical journals.
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.
Bioinformaticians and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $71,359 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $127,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Branford, CT | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a bioinformatician and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biostatistics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between bioinformaticians' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Bioinformatician | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 39.0% White, 42.2% 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% |