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The differences between junior research scientists and senior research fellows 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 senior research fellow. Additionally, a junior research scientist has an average salary of $67,062, which is higher than the $62,129 average annual salary of a senior research fellow.
The top three skills for a junior research scientist include python, PI and C++. The most important skills for a senior research fellow are python, research projects, and data analysis.
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $62,129 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $29.87 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 53,535 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
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.
Junior research scientists and senior research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $62,129 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $40,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and a senior research fellow in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and senior research fellows' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Senior Research Fellow | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |