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The differences between junior research scientists and postdoctoral research associates 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 scientist and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a junior research scientist has an average salary of $67,062, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a junior research scientist include python, PI and C++. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Junior Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A junior research scientist is responsible for evaluating and interpreting scientific results from laboratory investigations and experiments. Junior research scientists assist the senior scientists in gathering information to support research studies and claims. They perform both laboratory and field trials to collect samples for further examinations. A junior research scientist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing comprehensive reports, following accurate scientific methodologies, and submitting the research findings on time to the research supervisor.
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Junior research scientists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |