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The differences between faculty research assistants and senior research fellows 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 senior research fellow takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior research fellow has an average salary of $62,129, which is higher than the $59,697 average annual salary of a faculty research assistant.
The top three skills for a faculty research assistant include research faculty, C++ and biomedical. The most important skills for a senior research fellow are python, research projects, and data analysis.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Yearly salary | $59,697 | $62,129 |
| Hourly rate | $28.70 | $29.87 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 56,780 | 53,535 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.
Faculty research assistants and senior research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Faculty Research Assistant | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Average salary | $59,697 | $62,129 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $92,000 | Between $40,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a faculty research assistant and a senior research fellow in terms of educational background:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between faculty research assistants' and senior research fellows' demographics:
| Faculty Research Assistant | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7% | Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |