Junior research fellow vs senior scientist

The differences between junior research fellows and senior 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 senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, 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 senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.

Junior research fellow vs senior scientist overview

	Junior Research Fellow	Senior Scientist
Yearly salary	$64,677	$106,672
Hourly rate	$31.09	$51.28
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	61,504	49,712
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Junior research fellow vs senior scientist salary

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

	Junior Research Fellow	Senior Scientist
Average salary	$64,677	$106,672
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $90,000	Between $74,000 And $153,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Colfax Corporation	Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Best paying industry	Professional	Telecommunication

Differences between junior research fellow and senior scientist education

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

	Junior Research Fellow	Senior Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	Duke University

Junior research fellow vs senior scientist demographics

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

	Junior Research Fellow	Senior Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between junior research fellow and senior 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.

Senior scientist example responsibilities.

Lead the development and implementation of new technology for use in NMR applications.
Strategize and manage the PK/PD program with internal collaborations including chemistry, DMPK, formulation and toxicology.
Lead a team and develop a 24-channel GC parallel separation system for high throughput screening of catalysts.
Lead a team of 11 direct reports and 35 indirect reports to solve development problems for multicapillary electrophoresis instruments.
Influence and impact others through building and maintaining strong networks that are leverage to obtain critical information and accomplish objectives.
Manage collaborations with external CROs.

Junior research fellow vs senior scientist skills

Common junior research fellow skills

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

Common senior scientist skills

Patients, 11%
Data Analysis, 6%
Molecular Biology, 3%
Research Projects, 3%
C++, 3%
Java, 3%

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Junior Research Fellow
Junior Research Fellow vs Senior Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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