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Clinical research specialist vs senior research associate

The differences between clinical research specialists and senior research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical research specialist and a senior research associate. Additionally, a senior research associate has an average salary of $72,618, which is higher than the $60,945 average annual salary of a clinical research specialist.

The top three skills for a clinical research specialist include patients, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.

Clinical research specialist vs senior research associate overview

Clinical Research SpecialistSenior Research Associate
Yearly salary$60,945$72,618
Hourly rate$29.30$34.91
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs96,70758,903
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical research specialist do?

An air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel. They also work on coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.

What does a senior research associate do?

A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.

Clinical research specialist vs senior research associate salary

Clinical research specialists and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research SpecialistSenior Research Associate
Average salary$60,945$72,618
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $87,000Between $51,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyEdwards LifesciencesThe Citadel
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalGovernment

Differences between clinical research specialist and senior research associate education

There are a few differences between a clinical research specialist and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:

Clinical Research SpecialistSenior Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Clinical research specialist vs senior research associate demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research specialists' and senior research associates' demographics:

Clinical Research SpecialistSenior Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.5% Female, 70.5%Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.0% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research specialist and senior research associate duties and responsibilities

Clinical research specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the input of the subjects' data among various management database including iMedidata, EDC.
  • Develop and project manage a staffing program model to support inpatient oncology.
  • Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
  • Review and edit clinical documentation for FDA submission and approval.
  • Prepare investigator initiate and industry study protocol for IRB review and approval.
  • Participate in study developments to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and guidelines.
  • Show more

Senior research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Develop, implement and optimize HPLC and ELISA assays in support of cell line and process development.
  • Provide purification service with rp-LCMS, np- HPLC, and MPLC, as well QC data including UPLC-MS and NMR.
  • Engineer and design a unique CRISPR cloning system for the group.
  • Apply the CRISPR technology to conduct gene editing in human IPSCs.
  • Develop an identity ELISA assay to detect the presence of competing and irrelevant drug products in manufacturing process.
  • Show more

Clinical research specialist vs senior research associate skills

Common clinical research specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Clinical Trials, 8%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • IRB, 6%
  • Research Data, 5%
Common senior research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • CRISPR, 6%
  • Molecular Biology, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
  • Flow Cytometry, 4%

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