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Graduate research student vs assistant research scientist

The differences between graduate research students and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant research scientist has an average salary of $62,780, which is higher than the $34,658 average annual salary of a graduate research student.

The top three skills for a graduate research student include lab equipment, laboratory equipment and python. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.

Graduate research student vs assistant research scientist overview

Graduate Research StudentAssistant Research Scientist
Yearly salary$34,658$62,780
Hourly rate$16.66$30.18
Growth rate19%17%
Number of jobs58,92188,786
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4438
Years of experience-2

What does a graduate research student do?

Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.

What does an assistant research scientist do?

An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.

Graduate research student vs assistant research scientist salary

Graduate research students and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graduate Research StudentAssistant Research Scientist
Average salary$34,658$62,780
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $60,000Between $43,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyCapgeminiUniversity of California
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between graduate research student and assistant research scientist education

There are a few differences between a graduate research student and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:

Graduate Research StudentAssistant Research Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityHarvard University

Graduate research student vs assistant research scientist demographics

Here are the differences between graduate research students' and assistant research scientists' demographics:

Graduate Research StudentAssistant Research Scientist
Average age4438
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%8%

Differences between graduate research student and assistant research scientist duties and responsibilities

Graduate research student example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Conduct molecular and cellular biology research techniques including DNA, RNA and protein isolation and analysis
  • Assist in organic chemistry laboratory on synthesis of molecule that behaves as fluorescent switch with cation binding properties
  • Perform Parkinson's psychological test on undergraduate students at UCLA and analyze data using statistical analysis software SPSS.
  • Analyze data using SAS statistical software, and map populations using GIS.
  • Summarize statistics from SAS outputs for USDA research grant investigating WIC and food insecurity.
  • Show more

Assistant research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a group of four employees in optimizing DNA purification technologies for production DNA sequencing.
  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Experience in SAS programming in biomedical research.
  • Prepare salivary samples for Cortisol ELISA assays.
  • Gather and code quantitative and qualitative data using SPSS and Atlas.ti.
  • Standardize assays to elucidate the mechanism of action of lead molecules.
  • Show more

Graduate research student vs assistant research scientist skills

Common graduate research student skills
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • Python, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Chemistry, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
Common assistant research scientist skills
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Lab Equipment, 4%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Chemistry, 4%

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