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The differences between cancer researchers 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 cancer researcher and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a cancer researcher has an average salary of $73,896, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a cancer researcher include patients, clinical research and clinical trials. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $73,896 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $35.53 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 24,199 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A cancer researcher is a medical scientist who devotes their time working at laboratories to study and discover ways to diagnose and treat cancer, saving countless people's lives in the process. Their duties usually include gathering and analyzing samples through basic or complex laboratory processes, studying existing cases from people of all ages, organizing specimens and instruments, coordinating with fellow experts, conducting experiments, and maintaining extensive records. Moreover, as a cancer researcher, it is essential to keep an open communication line with fellow researchers, collaborating efforts for a smooth workflow.
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.
Cancer researchers and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $73,896 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $117,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a cancer researcher and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between cancer researchers' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% 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% |