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The differences between junior research scientists and student research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a junior research scientist, becoming a student research assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a junior research scientist has an average salary of $67,062, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.
The top three skills for a junior research scientist include python, PI and C++. The most important skills for a student research assistant are lab equipment, student research, and data collection.
| Junior Research Scientist | Student Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $27,475 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $13.21 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 59,758 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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 student research assistant is responsible for supporting the school's research department on conducting various research tasks using the techniques and resources provided by the supervising faculty. Student research assistants collect and verify research data, interpret and document findings using research methodologies, organize and prepare research materials, write research reports, and provide recommendations to improve research strategies and techniques. A student research assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and be a fast-learner to interpret data within a specific time.
Junior research scientists and student research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Student Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $27,475 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $19,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Fairbanks, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and a student research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Student Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and student research assistants' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Student Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |