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The differences between cancer researchers 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 cancer researcher and a postdoctoral scholar. Additionally, a cancer researcher has an average salary of $73,896, which is higher than the $57,587 average annual salary of a postdoctoral scholar.
The top three skills for a cancer researcher include patients, clinical research and clinical trials. The most important skills for a postdoctoral scholar are chemistry, python, and patients.
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Yearly salary | $73,896 | $57,587 |
| Hourly rate | $35.53 | $27.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 24,199 | 18,983 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| 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 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.
Cancer researchers and postdoctoral scholars have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average salary | $73,896 | $57,587 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $117,000 | Between $41,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a cancer researcher and a postdoctoral scholar in terms of educational background:
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between cancer researchers' and postdoctoral scholars' demographics:
| Cancer Researcher | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |