Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between molecular research technologists 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 molecular research technologist and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a molecular research technologist has an average salary of $59,138, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a molecular research technologist include CRISPR, lab equipment and tissue culture. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Molecular Research Technologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $59,138 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $28.43 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 94,466 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A molecular research technologist works in a laboratory and performs duties to analyze samples. Molecular research technologists are responsible for collecting samples for research, testing specimens using various materials and equipment, and studying how treatments and clinical drugs affect samples. They identify issues and troubleshooting, maintain data analysis records, entering data into a lab information system, and preparing lab equipment. They should perform complex procedures with understanding and a high degree of accuracy. As molecular research technologists, their skills are in demand in genotyping involving in the genetic and molecular sugarcane breeding program.
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.
Molecular research technologists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molecular Research Technologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $59,138 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $92,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Kansas | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a molecular research technologist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Molecular Research Technologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between molecular research technologists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Molecular Research Technologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 12.3% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 19% | 8% |