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Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral scholar

The differences between biomedical scientists and postdoctoral scholars 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 scholar. Additionally, a biomedical scientist has an average salary of $72,246, which is higher than the $57,587 average annual salary of a postdoctoral scholar.

The top three skills for a biomedical scientist include biomedical, research program and extraction. The most important skills for a postdoctoral scholar are chemistry, python, and patients.

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral scholar overview

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Scholar
Yearly salary$72,246$57,587
Hourly rate$34.73$27.69
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs53,73918,983
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
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 scholar do?

A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral scholar salary

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

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Scholar
Average salary$72,246$57,587
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $117,000Between $41,000 And $79,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyIntuitive SurgicalMicrosoft
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between biomedical scientist and postdoctoral scholar education

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

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Scholar
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral scholar demographics

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

Biomedical ScientistPostdoctoral Scholar
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 49.6% Female, 50.4%Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0%
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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between biomedical scientist and postdoctoral scholar 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 scholar example responsibilities.

  • Lead community-based health projects on and off campus as an Oslerian student scholar.
  • Lead the in-vitro biophysical and biochemical characterization of homologous recombination and investigate structure-function effects of mutant enzymes.
  • Utilize basic organic and inorganic chemistry techniques including polymer synthesis and NMR spectroscopy.
  • Train graduate students on molecular biology techniques- DNA and RNA extraction and qPCR.
  • Contribute to successful NIH grant proposals.
  • Develop HPLC analysis method for skin folate.
  • Show more

Biomedical scientist vs postdoctoral scholar skills

Common biomedical scientist skills
  • Biomedical, 56%
  • Research Program, 10%
  • Extraction, 5%
  • PCR, 4%
  • Sops, 4%
  • FDA, 3%
Common postdoctoral scholar skills
  • Chemistry, 10%
  • Python, 8%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • NIH, 5%
  • C++, 5%

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