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What does a junior research scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Betsy Smith

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.

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Junior research scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real junior research scientist resumes:

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Collect DNA and RNA from plants.
  • Assist in preparing IRB amendments and submissions.
  • Perform ELISA on clinical samples in an NIH fund laboratory.
  • Validate materials in QC and document all relevant data and present results.
  • Train laboratory personnel on the quality control system as well as the HPLC as necessary.
  • Research genes involve in tumor development using recombinant DNA technology, DNA/RNA isolation, PCR and histology.
  • Perform a molecular sub-typing technique, pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), for the identification of food borne pathogens.
  • Purchase equipment and supplies, establish procedures, train technicians, and maintain all documentation to start-up the GLP manufacturing group.
  • Analyze active pharmaceutical ingredients using HPLC.
  • Study spontaneous and induce instability of chromosomal DNA in culture somatic mammalian cells.
  • Develop laboratory protocols for genetic extraction/gel electrophoresis.
  • Develop laboratory protocols for genetic extraction/gel electrophoresis.

Junior research scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Junior Research Scientists are proficient in Python, PI, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Junior Research Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 22%

    Computed Kinematics and Dynamics of an exoskeleton with 11 degrees of freedom in Python.

  • PI, 18%

    Generate data analysis report and manuscript preparation by extensive literature review, and assisting the Lead PI for manuscript preparation.

  • C++, 11%

    Developed network software for simulation of securities trade: sealed-bid and double auctions (C, C++).

  • Data Collection, 10%

    Prepare proposal for Regional funding, Data collection and entry to computer for analysis and Report writing.

  • Data Entry, 6%

    Designed and developed a front end website for data entry with PHP, JS, and CSS.

  • Literature, 6%

    Assembled materials from specialized literature, interviews and government documents

"python," "pi," and "c++" are among the most common skills that junior research scientists use at work. You can find even more junior research scientist responsibilities below, including:

Observation skills. The most essential soft skill for a junior research scientist to carry out their responsibilities is observation skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Additionally, a junior research scientist resume shows how their duties depend on observation skills: "programmed complete procedures using stata to clean the data sets based on 11,495 individual observations from 1986 to 2008. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform junior research scientist duties is communication skills. Junior research scientists responsibilities require that "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Junior research scientists also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed and standardized bioinformatics sops data analysis and scientific communications performed extensive literature reviews. "

Most common junior research scientist skills

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Compare different junior research scientists

Junior research scientist vs. Chemistry laboratory assistant

Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.

We looked at the average junior research scientist salary and compared it with the wages of a chemistry laboratory assistant. Generally speaking, chemistry laboratory assistants are paid $36,091 lower than junior research scientists per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between junior research scientists and chemistry laboratory assistants are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like dna, uv-vis, and hplc.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, junior research scientist responsibilities require skills like "python," "pi," "c++," and "data collection." Meanwhile a typical chemistry laboratory assistant has skills in areas such as "lab equipment," "lab safety," "chemistry lab," and "lab experiments." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Chemistry laboratory assistants really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $37,906. Comparatively, junior research scientists tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $64,496.The education levels that chemistry laboratory assistants earn slightly differ from junior research scientists. In particular, chemistry laboratory assistants are 21.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a junior research scientist. Additionally, they're 7.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Junior research scientist vs. Microbiologist

Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.

A career as a microbiologist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a junior research scientist. In fact, microbiologists salary is $12,442 lower than the salary of junior research scientists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Junior research scientists and microbiologists both require similar skills like "r," "data analysis," and "hiv" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that junior research scientist responsibilities requires skills like "python," "pi," "c++," and "data collection." But a microbiologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab equipment," "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," and "test methods."

Microbiologists may earn a lower salary than junior research scientists, but microbiologists earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $57,911. On the other hand, junior research scientists receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $64,496.microbiologists earn lower levels of education than junior research scientists in general. They're 12.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for junior research scientists in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Betsy SmithDr. Betsy Smith LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College

Honestly, I think anytime a scientist tries to predict what will be "big" in a few years, they're likely to fail. That said, I think there's a growing interest among consumers for more "green" products, so research into those areas will likely grow. For instance, we might see attempts to develop new plastics that are safer for the environment and humans, perhaps biodegradable. Organic chemistry traditionally uses harsh solvents and chemicals that are difficult to dispose of safely, so there is an effort to find alternatives to these. Analytical chemistry techniques for separating and identifying compounds, like GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), will likely continue to be necessary. CRISPR, the relatively new gene-editing technology, is likely to become even more widely used on the biochemistry side of things.

Junior research scientist 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.

An average research laboratory technician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of junior research scientists. The difference in salaries amounts to research laboratory technicians earning a $28,754 lower average salary than junior research scientists.junior research scientists and research laboratory technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "pi," "data collection," and "data entry," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from junior research scientist resumes include skills like "python," "c++," "literature," and "research lab," whereas a research laboratory technician is more likely to list skills in "patients," "chemistry," "laboratory equipment," and "research data. "

Research laboratory technicians make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $42,600. On the other hand, junior research scientists are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $64,496.Most research laboratory technicians achieve a lower degree level compared to junior research scientists. For example, they're 15.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Junior research scientist vs. Research fellow

A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.

Research fellows average a lower salary than the annual salary of junior research scientists. The difference is about $13,239 per year.According to resumes from junior research scientists and research fellows, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "python," "pi," and "c++. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between junior research scientists and research fellows, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a junior research scientist might have more use for skills like "data entry," "literature," "experimental data," and "research lab." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of research fellows require skills like "patients," "immunology," "crispr," and "cell biology. "

Research fellows enjoy the best pay in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $57,261. For comparison, junior research scientists earn the highest salary in the education industry.research fellows reach lower levels of education compared to junior research scientists, in general. The difference is that they're 7.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 23.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of junior research scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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