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Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral associate

The differences between biomedical scientists and postdoctoral 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 biomedical scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a biomedical scientist has an average salary of $72,246, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.

The top three skills for a biomedical scientist include biomedical, research program and extraction. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral associate overview

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Associate
Yearly salary$72,246$54,350
Hourly rate$34.73$26.13
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs53,73918,093
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Doctoral Degree, 47%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

What does a biomedical scientist do?

A biomedical scientist conducts studies to help doctors diagnose and treat various illnesses. They primarily work at laboratories where they gather and analyze samples through different laboratory procedures, perform experiments, utilize special tools and equipment, perform experiments, identify blood groups, and monitor the effect of medication and treatment on the patients. Through their research findings, a biomedical scientist interprets the results and produces written reports, all while maintaining extensive records of every procedure. Moreover, a biomedical scientist keeps a clear communication line with fellow scientists and staff for an efficient and successful workflow.

What does a postdoctoral associate do?

A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral associate salary

Biomedical scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Associate
Average salary$72,246$54,350
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $117,000Between $39,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandMaine
Best paying companyIntuitive SurgicalArgonne National Laboratory
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between biomedical scientist and postdoctoral associate education

There are a few differences between a biomedical scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Doctoral Degree, 47%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral associate demographics

Here are the differences between biomedical scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Associate
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 49.6% Female, 50.4%Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between biomedical scientist and postdoctoral associate duties and responsibilities

Biomedical scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Invent SLOP-PCR and a novel fluorogenic probe for live-time PCR.
  • Prepare functional membranes from mammalian cells for high throughput assays.
  • Operate and perform quality assurance on large vault style autoclaves.
  • Provide CDMRP with custom meeting summary documents that meet their specific needs
  • Construct genomic libraries, sequence clones, devise sequence specific PCR primers.
  • Show more

Postdoctoral associate example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Co-Authore NIH grant proposal on membrane protein folding.
  • Participate in writing research grant applications including NIH and NSF.
  • X-ray protein crystallographic studies on the structures of antibodies and DNA.
  • Purify DNA from subject blood samples and organize the genome screen.
  • Complete mice handling training and currently using CRISPR technology to knockout genes in cell lines.
  • Show more

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral associate skills

Common biomedical scientist skills
  • Biomedical, 56%
  • Research Program, 10%
  • Extraction, 5%
  • PCR, 4%
  • Sops, 4%
  • FDA, 3%
Common postdoctoral associate skills
  • Patients, 8%
  • TIP, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Biomedical, 5%
  • CRISPR, 5%
  • Python, 4%

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