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Graduate research student vs phd researcher

The differences between graduate research students and phd researchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an phd researcher has an average salary of $51,634, 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 phd researcher are python, chemistry, and research projects.

Graduate research student vs phd researcher overview

Graduate Research StudentPHD Researcher
Yearly salary$34,658$51,634
Hourly rate$16.66$24.82
Growth rate19%17%
Number of jobs58,92119,736
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Doctoral Degree, 40%
Average age4441
Years of experience-4

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 phd researcher do?

The primary job of a Ph.D. researcher is to plan and conduct experiments and analyzing their outcome. You will collect, organize, and analyze data and opinions to solve issues and predict trends. Other tasks you will perform include doing fieldwork to collect samples, writing reports, research papers, and reviews, and organizing materials testing. In addition, you need to liaise with research and production staff, develop ways to resolve problems, and supervise junior research staff.

Graduate research student vs phd researcher salary

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

Graduate Research StudentPHD Researcher
Average salary$34,658$51,634
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $60,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MANovato, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCapgeminiMeta
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between graduate research student and phd researcher education

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

Graduate Research StudentPHD Researcher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Doctoral Degree, 40%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeStanford UniversityDuke University

Graduate research student vs phd researcher demographics

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

Graduate Research StudentPHD Researcher
Average age4441
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
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, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.5% White, 47.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage6%8%

Differences between graduate research student and phd 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

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.
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Graduate research student vs phd researcher skills

Common graduate research student skills
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • Python, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Chemistry, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
Common phd researcher skills
  • Python, 9%
  • Chemistry, 8%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Renewable Energy, 6%
  • C++, 5%

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