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Graduate research student vs graduate researcher

The differences between graduate research students and graduate researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a graduate research student has an average salary of $34,658, which is higher than the $32,346 average annual salary of a graduate researcher.

The top three skills for a graduate research student include lab equipment, laboratory equipment and python. The most important skills for a graduate researcher are R, cell culture, and research projects.

Graduate research student vs graduate researcher overview

Graduate Research StudentGraduate Researcher
Yearly salary$34,658$32,346
Hourly rate$16.66$15.55
Growth rate19%17%
Number of jobs58,92117,313
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

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 a graduate researcher do?

A graduate researcher is responsible for supporting an educational institution's academic research processes. Graduate researchers assist in data gathering and performing in-depth analysis using research methodologies under the supervision of a research professor. In some cases, graduate researchers also conduct field investigations and analyze other research publications to verify data accuracy. They prepare reports, share recommendations, and keep an organized database for research records. A graduate researcher must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as this task requires interaction with the researchers and writing duties.

Graduate research student vs graduate researcher salary

Graduate research students and graduate researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graduate Research StudentGraduate Researcher
Average salary$34,658$32,346
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $60,000Between $15,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MA-
Highest paying statePennsylvania-
Best paying companyCapgemini-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between graduate research student and graduate researcher education

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

Graduate Research StudentGraduate Researcher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCornell University

Graduate research student vs graduate researcher demographics

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

Graduate Research StudentGraduate Researcher
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 57.3% Female, 42.7%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between graduate research student and graduate researcher 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

Graduate researcher example responsibilities.

  • Lead the in-vitro biophysical and biochemical characterization of homologous recombination and investigate structure-function effects of mutant enzymes.
  • Analyze the expression of MZF-1 gene using western blots and RT-PCR.
  • Train undergraduate, masters, and PhD-level students on HPLC and UPLC instruments.
  • Use of NMR, IR, and TLC to analyze product purity and identity.
  • Experience using GC/MS, LC/MS, and NMR to analyze molecules produce in the lab.
  • Create buffers, HPLC solvents, maintain laboratory notebooks, order chemical reagents and perform serial dilutions.
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Graduate research student vs graduate researcher skills

Common graduate research student skills
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • Python, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Chemistry, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
Common graduate researcher skills
  • R, 9%
  • Cell Culture, 8%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Protein Expression, 5%
  • Chemistry, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 4%

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