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Contract research scientist vs research scientist

The differences between contract research scientists and research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a contract research scientist and a research scientist. Additionally, a contract research scientist has an average salary of $90,721, which is higher than the $89,998 average annual salary of a research scientist.

The top three skills for a contract research scientist include analytical techniques, R and HPLC. The most important skills for a research scientist are python, data analysis, and patients.

Contract research scientist vs research scientist overview

Contract Research ScientistResearch Scientist
Yearly salary$90,721$89,998
Hourly rate$43.62$43.27
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs93,12493,013
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Contract research scientist vs research scientist salary

Contract research scientists and research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract Research ScientistResearch Scientist
Average salary$90,721$89,998
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $132,000Between $58,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City-Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Lyft
Best paying industry--

Differences between contract research scientist and research scientist education

There are a few differences between a contract research scientist and a research scientist in terms of educational background:

Contract Research ScientistResearch Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Contract research scientist vs research scientist demographics

Here are the differences between contract research scientists' and research scientists' demographics:

Contract Research ScientistResearch Scientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between contract research scientist and research scientist duties and responsibilities

Contract research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Test 50 breast expanders and submit results for FDA 5-10k approval.
  • Perform solution and standard prep, Agilent HPLC impurities identification, dissolution assay using VanKel (USP App.
  • Develop, validate and implement robust methods for pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity (ADA) and immunodepletion ELISAs, and cell based-bioassays.
  • Interpret metabolism data and review reports to support strategies forward thinking with a specialization in drug metabolism and metabolic enzymes.

Research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Used real-time PCR and DNA sequencing to troubleshoot and validate SNP base and gene expression assays.
  • Prepare clear technical presentations to NIH department heads in annual seminars.
  • Analyze chromatin dynamics during primordial germ cell specification with a CRISPR mouse model.
  • Identify impurities in final drug by LCMS and reject impurities with ethanol/water swish.
  • Show more

Contract research scientist vs research scientist skills

Common contract research scientist skills
  • Analytical Techniques, 24%
  • R, 22%
  • HPLC, 15%
  • Analytical Support, 14%
  • Harvest, 13%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
Common research scientist skills
  • Python, 11%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • C++, 6%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Chemistry, 5%

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