What does a junior research fellow do?
Junior research fellow responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real junior research fellow resumes:
- 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.
- Prepare preclinical formulations of NCEs for regulatory safety studies as per GLP principles and practices (CMC studies).
- Develop advanced algorithms for adaptive OFDM/MIMO-OFDM transmission in the real underwater environment.
- Collaborate with several government agencies and private organizations on GIS base coastal research project.
- Perform forensic analysis of chemical contaminants in fish tissues using multivariate statistical methods and GIS to discern primary regional contaminant sources.
Junior research fellow skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Junior Research Fellows are proficient in Cell Culture, R, and Molecular Techniques. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Junior Research Fellows that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cell Culture, 8%
Harvested mice spleen and lymph nodes, prepared cell cultures and isolated T-cells.
- R, 7%
Developed quantitative analysis skills, began R coding, increased Excel proficiency.
- Molecular Techniques, 7%
Guided technical staff on care and management of lab animals and molecular techniques.
- Molecular Biology, 6%
Mastered various molecular biology and protein biochemistry techniques to study the heterodimerization properties of Kinesin 2 motor sub units.
- Chemistry, 6%
Supervised and trained Bio-Medical Engineering and Chemistry graduate students in chemical methods, framework implementation for effective research and data analysis.
- Research Projects, 5%
Initiated and led independent scientific research projects on fertility treatment of domestic farm animals.
Most junior research fellows use their skills in "cell culture," "r," and "molecular techniques" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential junior research fellow responsibilities here:
Observation skills. One of the key soft skills for a junior research fellow to have is observation skills. You can see how this relates to what junior research fellows do because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Additionally, a junior research fellow resume shows how junior research fellows use observation skills: "conducted long-term observations of ground water dynamics and chemistry. "
Communication skills. Many junior research fellow duties rely on communication skills. "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways," so a junior research fellow will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways junior research fellow responsibilities rely on communication skills: "maintained project communications with internal project management as well as close interactions with external clients. "
The three companies that hire the most junior research fellows are:
- Raytheon Technologies2 junior research fellows jobs
- Randstad North America, Inc.1 junior research fellows jobs
- The University of Kansas Health System1 junior research fellows jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable junior research fellow resume templates
Build a professional junior research fellow resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior research fellow resume.
Compare different junior research fellows
Junior research fellow vs. Associate scientist
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, junior research fellow responsibilities require skills like "molecular techniques," "molecular biology," "research projects," and "synthesis." Meanwhile a typical associate scientist has skills in areas such as "patients," "gmp," "lab equipment," and "flow cytometry." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Associate scientists really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $80,987. Comparatively, junior research fellows tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $65,460.On average, associate scientists reach lower levels of education than junior research fellows. Associate scientists are 23.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Junior research fellow vs. Scientist
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real junior research fellow resumes. While junior research fellow responsibilities can utilize skills like "molecular techniques," "c++," "scholarship," and "biotechnology," scientists use skills like "patients," "java," "flow cytometry," and "crispr."
Scientists earn a higher average salary than junior research fellows. But scientists earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $134,486. Additionally, junior research fellows earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $65,460 annually.scientists earn lower levels of education than junior research fellows in general. They're 21.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for junior research fellows in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Junior research fellow vs. Senior scientist
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a junior research fellow is likely to be skilled in "cell culture," "molecular techniques," "chemistry," and "rt-pcr," while a typical senior scientist is skilled in "patients," "java," "project management," and "drug discovery."
Senior scientists make a very good living in the telecommunication industry with an average annual salary of $107,016. On the other hand, junior research fellows are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $65,460.Most senior scientists achieve a lower degree level compared to junior research fellows. For example, they're 23.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 23.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Junior research fellow vs. Research laboratory technician
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
Types of junior research fellow
Updated January 8, 2025
