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Biotechnologist vs student research assistant

The differences between biotechnologists and student research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a biotechnologist, becoming a student research assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a biotechnologist has an average salary of $54,160, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.

The top three skills for a biotechnologist include R, GMP and DNA. The most important skills for a student research assistant are lab equipment, student research, and data collection.

Biotechnologist vs student research assistant overview

BiotechnologistStudent Research Assistant
Yearly salary$54,160$27,475
Hourly rate$26.04$13.21
Growth rate9%19%
Number of jobs10,86259,758
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4038
Years of experience42

Biotechnologist vs student research assistant salary

Biotechnologists and student research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

BiotechnologistStudent Research Assistant
Average salary$54,160$27,475
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $80,000Between $19,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySilver Spring, MDFairbanks, AK
Highest paying stateConnecticutMassachusetts
Best paying companyAbbVieGoogle
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between biotechnologist and student research assistant education

There are a few differences between a biotechnologist and a student research assistant in terms of educational background:

BiotechnologistStudent Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityHarvard University

Biotechnologist vs student research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between biotechnologists' and student research assistants' demographics:

BiotechnologistStudent Research Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 13.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%8%

Differences between biotechnologist and student research assistant duties and responsibilities

Biotechnologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage laboratories and perform clinical research in diabetic and thyroid disease states.
  • Perform standard PCR assays for research group.
  • Purify enzymes using gravity, low pressure liquid chromatography, and AKTA FPLC.
  • Participate in semi-annual proficiency testing for forensic casework (CTS) and proficiency testing for engraftment monitoring (ASHI).
  • Quantify the final product form using solvent extraction and normal phase HPLC.
  • Maintain documentation and batch records in accordance with ISO and CE-IVD regulations.
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Student research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Perform PCR amplification and electrophoresis.
  • Prepare agarose gels for electrophoresis and sequencing.
  • Perform biological experiments which provide data for further DNA analysis.
  • Provide DNA sequencing and primer support study transposition in tobacco/tomato root development.
  • Experience gain in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, material characterization, photo-polymerization techniques.
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Biotechnologist vs student research assistant skills

Common biotechnologist skills
  • R, 23%
  • GMP, 13%
  • DNA, 13%
  • PCR, 12%
  • Assays, 10%
  • Extraction, 10%
Common student research assistant skills
  • Lab Equipment, 10%
  • Student Research, 9%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • Research Projects, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 7%
  • C++, 4%

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