Post job

Contract scientist vs phd researcher

The differences between contract scientists and phd researchers 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 scientist and an phd researcher. Additionally, a contract scientist has an average salary of $98,484, which is higher than the $51,634 average annual salary of an phd researcher.

The top three skills for a contract scientist include technical reports, HPLC and chemistry. The most important skills for an phd researcher are python, chemistry, and research projects.

Contract scientist vs phd researcher overview

Contract ScientistPHD Researcher
Yearly salary$98,484$51,634
Hourly rate$47.35$24.82
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs51,77119,736
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Doctoral Degree, 40%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Contract scientist vs phd researcher salary

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

Contract ScientistPHD Researcher
Average salary$98,484$51,634
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $141,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City-Novato, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between contract scientist and phd researcher education

There are a few differences between a contract scientist and an phd researcher in terms of educational background:

Contract ScientistPHD Researcher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Doctoral Degree, 40%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Contract scientist vs phd researcher demographics

Here are the differences between contract scientists' and phd researchers' demographics:

Contract ScientistPHD Researcher
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.5% White, 47.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between contract scientist and phd researcher duties and responsibilities

Contract scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage data of project samples through LIMS software.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Present chemistry of current and future targets at team meetings.
  • Coordinate internal blood draws to harvest serum and plasma for future testing.
  • Authenticate structure and purity of compounds by NMR, LCMS, HPLC, and CHN.
  • Complete a proprietary research project in photo-electric chemistry.
  • Show more

Phd researcher example responsibilities.

  • Manage and mentore graduate and undergraduate students in their physical chemistry relate studies and research projects on spin dynamics simulations.
  • Evaluate data employing GC/MS, gel electrophoresis, and UV/VIS spectroscopy.
  • Perform testing using gel electrophoresis as well as mixed and pour the gels used in testing
  • Optimize and redesign robotic components base on FEA for improve strength using ANSYS and SOLIDWORKS.
  • Coauthor an NIH grant proposal on DNA mismatch repair and malaria drug resistance (5R21AI072723-02).
  • Design a scent dispenser 3D model in SolidWorks and build a prototype by utilizing MasterCam and CNC machines.
  • Show more

Contract scientist vs phd researcher skills

Common contract scientist skills
  • Technical Reports, 12%
  • HPLC, 8%
  • Chemistry, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • Analytical Methods, 8%
  • Western Blotting, 6%
Common phd researcher skills
  • Python, 9%
  • Chemistry, 8%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Renewable Energy, 6%
  • C++, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs