Graduate research student vs research specialist

The differences between graduate research students and research specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research specialist has an average salary of $52,662, 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 a research specialist are data collection, patients, and research projects.

Graduate research student vs research specialist overview

	Graduate Research Student	Research Specialist
Yearly salary	$34,658	$52,662
Hourly rate	$16.66	$25.32
Growth rate	19%	19%
Number of jobs	58,921	79,341
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	44	37
Years of experience	-	6

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 research specialist do?

In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.

Graduate research student vs research specialist salary

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

	Graduate Research Student	Research Specialist
Average salary	$34,658	$52,662
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $60,000	Between $35,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	Washington
Best paying company	Capgemini	Novartis
Best paying industry	Education	Technology

Differences between graduate research student and research specialist education

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

	Graduate Research Student	Research Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Georgia

Graduate research student vs research specialist demographics

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

	Graduate Research Student	Research Specialist
Average age	44	37
Gender ratio	Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8%	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratio	Black 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	10%

Differences between graduate research student and research specialist 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.

Research specialist example responsibilities.

Manage both GLP and non-GLP studies that are contracted to CROs.
Create weekly presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and manage monthly board meetings.
Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
Assist in surgical procedures on both rabbits and rats to obtain tissue specimens for RNA isolation for subsequent RT-PCR
Perform and supervise applied bench scale and pilot scale process research on extraction, distillation, and reaction processes.
Perform the timely and accurate execution of CESG protocols, procedures and results within the cloning and crystallography teams.

Graduate research student vs research specialist skills

Common graduate research student skills

Lab Equipment, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Python, 6%
C++, 5%
Chemistry, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%

Common research specialist skills

Data Collection, 7%
Patients, 7%
Research Projects, 7%
Data Analysis, 5%
Molecular Biology, 5%
Cell Culture, 4%

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Graduate Research Student
Graduate Research Student vs Research Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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