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The differences between faculty research assistants and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a faculty research assistant, becoming a postdoctoral research associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a faculty research assistant has an average salary of $59,697, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a faculty research assistant include research faculty, C++ and biomedical. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $59,697 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $28.70 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 56,780 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
The main job of a faculty research assistant is to gather and log experimental data. Faculty research assistants analyze the statistical aspect of data sets. They prepare spreadsheets and graphs to portray research results. Their duties and responsibilities include the creation of posters and slides to aid researchers in presenting their findings. They need to develop skills in communication, technical, critical thinking, scheduling, and planning. Also, they must know how to maintain safety, quality, and infection control standards.
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Faculty research assistants and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $59,697 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $92,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Professional |
There are a few differences between a faculty research assistant and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between faculty research assistants' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 16.5% White, 52.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |