Junior research fellow vs scientist

The differences between junior research fellows and scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a junior research fellow and a scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $64,677 average annual salary of a junior research fellow.

The top three skills for a junior research fellow include cell culture, R and molecular techniques. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Junior research fellow vs scientist overview

	Junior Research Fellow	Scientist
Yearly salary	$64,677	$97,344
Hourly rate	$31.09	$46.80
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	61,504	62,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Junior research fellow vs scientist salary

Junior research fellows and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Junior Research Fellow	Scientist
Average salary	$64,677	$97,344
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $90,000	Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Colfax Corporation	Airbnb
Best paying industry	Professional	Technology

Differences between junior research fellow and scientist education

There are a few differences between a junior research fellow and a scientist in terms of educational background:

	Junior Research Fellow	Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Junior research fellow vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between junior research fellows' and scientists' demographics:

	Junior Research Fellow	Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 37.3% White, 43.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between junior research fellow and scientist duties and responsibilities

Junior research fellow example responsibilities.

Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
Work on synthesis of D-Serine from N-Acetyl-D-glucose using microorganisms, immobilize enzymes, and microbial cells in the key steps.
Estimate cytokines levels in human patient samples using ELISA methodology.
Assist in routine analysis using radio immuno assays such as ELISA.
Involve in the multi-step synthesis of bio-active natural products and also involve in the development of novel synthetic methodologies.
Construct a preliminary testing platform for a collaborative $3MM NSF grant between biology and electrical engineering exploring molecular communication theory.

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Junior research fellow vs scientist skills

Common junior research fellow skills

Cell Culture, 8%
R, 7%
Molecular Techniques, 7%
Molecular Biology, 6%
Chemistry, 6%
Research Projects, 5%

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

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Junior Research Fellow
Junior Research Fellow vs Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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