What does a postdoc fellow do?
Postdoc fellow responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real postdoc fellow resumes:
- Collaborate with software engineers to automate identification of 15N- and 13C- labele LC-MS features.
- Perform expression profiling on primary promyelocyte samples and identify candidate genes that may be involve in SCN pathogenesis and malignant transformation.
- Investigate chromatid orientation through immunofluorescence.
Postdoc fellow skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Postdoc Fellows are proficient in Molecular Biology, Data Analysis, and CRISPR.
We break down the percentage of Postdoc Fellows that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Molecular Biology, 15%
Performed research activities in areas of cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry while investigating calcium regulation mechanisms in cells.
- Data Analysis, 10%
Established the lab, developed the theoretical model of characterizing thin films through large size of experimental statistical data analysis.
- CRISPR, 9%
Established working protocols for targeted genome editing using CRISPR technology.
- Python, 9%
Developed a Python program to perform parallel computation of Fortran code on cluster environment.
- Chemistry, 8%
Develop and synthesis of novel catalytic structures for important organic reactionsLecture to General Chemistry 1110
- Conduct Research, 7%
conduct research; help train PhDs; run the lab
Common skills that a postdoc fellow uses to do their job include "molecular biology," "data analysis," and "crispr." You can find details on the most important postdoc fellow responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a postdoc fellow to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what postdoc fellows do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a postdoc fellow resume shows how postdoc fellows use communication skills: "conducted various research projects many which centered on higher education and communications"
Observation skills. Another essential skill to perform postdoc fellow duties is observation skills. Postdoc fellows responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Postdoc fellows also use observation skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed statistical analyses for clinical trials and observational studies. "
The three companies that hire the most postdoc fellows are:
- Children's Health Corporation3 postdoc fellows jobs
- Stanford University2 postdoc fellows jobs
- Johns Hopkins University1 postdoc fellows jobs
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Compare different postdoc fellows
Postdoc fellow vs. Medical science liaison
A medical science liaison (MSL) is a scientific professional who facilitates a working relationship between healthcare companies and leading physicians, researchers, and clinicians. Also referred to as key opinion leaders (KOL), medical science liaisons represent their company to the decision-makers in the medical community as well as to investors and government regulatory agencies. They analyze clinical trends and monitor the scientific literature for new developments in the medical community. Medical science liaisons also prepare medical samples and data to investigate the causes of chronic diseases, pathogens, and toxicity.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between postdoc fellows and medical science liaison. For instance, postdoc fellow responsibilities require skills such as "molecular biology," "data analysis," "crispr," and "python." Whereas a medical science liaison is skilled in "patients," "medical affairs," "msl," and "medical science." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Medical science liaisons earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $152,658. On the other hand, postdoc fellows are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $74,840.On average, medical science liaisons reach similar levels of education than postdoc fellows. Medical science liaisons are 2.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 40.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Postdoc fellow vs. Research scientist
The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that postdoc fellow responsibilities requires skills like "conduct research," "neuroscience," "drug resistance," and "protein engineering." But a research scientist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "research projects," "java," and "data collection."
Research scientists earn higher levels of education than postdoc fellows in general. They're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 40.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Postdoc fellow vs. Research and development scientist
A research and development scientist specializes in conducting scientific studies and experiments to develop new products and technologies. They usually work at laboratories where they are in charge of conducting research and assessments, coming up with new ideas, performing tests, streamlining product requirements and guidelines, collaborating with fellow experts, utilizing previous studies and advanced software, and maintaining records of all procedures. Additionally, as a research and development scientist, it is essential to conduct reviews and assessments to ensure products adhere to safety standards and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, postdoc fellows are more likely to have skills like "molecular biology," "crispr," "chemistry," and "conduct research." But a research and development scientist is more likely to have skills like "patients," "technical support," "c #," and "product development."
Research and development scientists make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $91,180. On the other hand, postdoc fellows are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $74,840.Most research and development scientists achieve a similar degree level compared to postdoc fellows. For example, they're 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 48.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Postdoc fellow vs. Staff scientist
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
Types of postdoc fellow
Updated January 8, 2025
