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Graduate research student vs senior research fellow

The differences between graduate research students and senior research fellows can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior research fellow has an average salary of $62,129, 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 senior research fellow are python, research projects, and data analysis.

Graduate research student vs senior research fellow overview

Graduate Research StudentSenior Research Fellow
Yearly salary$34,658$62,129
Hourly rate$16.66$29.87
Growth rate19%17%
Number of jobs58,92153,535
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
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 a senior research fellow do?

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.

Graduate research student vs senior research fellow salary

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

Graduate Research StudentSenior Research Fellow
Average salary$34,658$62,129
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $60,000Between $40,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaHawaii
Best paying companyCapgeminiGoogle
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between graduate research student and senior research fellow education

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

Graduate Research StudentSenior Research Fellow
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBiologyChemistry
Most common collegeStanford UniversityDuke University

Graduate research student vs senior research fellow demographics

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

Graduate Research StudentSenior Research Fellow
Average age4441
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage6%8%

Differences between graduate research student and senior research fellow 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

Senior research fellow example responsibilities.

  • Lead a project aim at improving DNA yields from various soil types in Dr. Connell's lab.
  • Manage grant base research and submit the grant proposal to ICAR and get approved for fund research.
  • Mentore a graduate student on the following topics: study design, literature reviews, drafting data plans and SAS.
  • Contribute to the creation of new markup standards for scholarship in the humanities.
  • Research unidentify payments and patients.
  • Conduct long-term observations of grind water dynamics and chemistry.
  • Show more

Graduate research student vs senior research fellow skills

Common graduate research student skills
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • Python, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Chemistry, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%
Common senior research fellow skills
  • Python, 12%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • C++, 6%
  • Research Findings, 5%
  • Data Collection, 4%

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