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Contract research scientist vs senior scientist

The differences between contract research scientists and senior 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 senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $90,721 average annual salary of a contract research scientist.

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

Contract research scientist vs senior scientist overview

Contract Research ScientistSenior Scientist
Yearly salary$90,721$106,672
Hourly rate$43.62$51.28
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs93,12449,712
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Contract research scientist vs senior scientist salary

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

Contract Research ScientistSenior Scientist
Average salary$90,721$106,672
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $132,000Between $74,000 And $153,000
Highest paying City-Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between contract research scientist and senior scientist education

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

Contract Research ScientistSenior Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Contract research scientist vs senior scientist demographics

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

Contract Research ScientistSenior Scientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between contract research scientist and senior 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.

Senior scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development and implementation of new technology for use in NMR applications.
  • Strategize and manage the PK/PD program with internal collaborations including chemistry, DMPK, formulation and toxicology.
  • Lead a team and develop a 24-channel GC parallel separation system for high throughput screening of catalysts.
  • Lead a team of 11 direct reports and 35 indirect reports to solve development problems for multicapillary electrophoresis instruments.
  • Influence and impact others through building and maintaining strong networks that are leverage to obtain critical information and accomplish objectives.
  • Manage collaborations with external CROs.
  • Show more

Contract research scientist vs senior scientist skills

Common contract research scientist skills
  • Analytical Techniques, 24%
  • R, 22%
  • HPLC, 15%
  • Analytical Support, 14%
  • Harvest, 13%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
Common senior scientist skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Molecular Biology, 3%
  • Research Projects, 3%
  • C++, 3%
  • Java, 3%

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