Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist

The differences between postdoc research associates and associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a postdoc research associate and an associate scientist. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $56,259 average annual salary of a postdoc research associate.

The top three skills for a postdoc research associate include data analysis, mouse model and research projects. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist overview

	Postdoc Research Associate	Associate Scientist
Yearly salary	$56,259	$76,461
Hourly rate	$27.05	$36.76
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	49,460	54,950
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Doctoral Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a postdoc research associate do?

Postdoc research associates are professionals who are responsible for assisting postdoctoral researchers in their research after completing doctoral studies. These associates must train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students with their ongoing research projects so that they can be completed on time. They are required to perform data analysis and should prepare scientific and technical reports that will be presented at scientific conferences. Postdoc research associates must also conduct literature reviews on topics such as government policy, economic impact analyses, and scientific journal articles.

What does an associate scientist do?

An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist salary

Postdoc research associates and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Postdoc Research Associate	Associate Scientist
Average salary	$56,259	$76,461
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $78,000	Between $53,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	California
Best paying company	IBM	Phillips 66
Best paying industry	Professional	Manufacturing

Differences between postdoc research associate and associate scientist education

There are a few differences between a postdoc research associate and an associate scientist in terms of educational background:

	Postdoc Research Associate	Associate Scientist
Most common degree	Doctoral Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist demographics

Here are the differences between postdoc research associates' and associate scientists' demographics:

	Postdoc Research Associate	Associate Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%	Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 45.4% White, 38.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between postdoc research associate and associate scientist duties and responsibilities

Postdoc research associate example responsibilities.

Achieve a best solar-matching spectrum and a broadband visible-to-IR absorption profile.
Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
Research focuse on understanding how transcription factors and non-coding regulatory DNA interpret Endothelin signaling in vivo.
Programe in Fortran to simulate models, diagnose problems and examine results.
Investigate how ATM kinase regulates tumor suppressive function of B56? -PP2A in response to DNA damage.
Complete a project of conditional knock out mouse model, draft one manuscript on transcription factor function on brain developmental defect.

Associate scientist example responsibilities.

Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Generate crispr knockout STAT1, STAT3 and STAT1 & 3double knockout cell lines.
Use CRISPR technology to create target knockout cell line.
Direct ISO 9000 4.10 team registration activities and perform internal audits.
Prepare stock reagents and buffers for use in manufacturing assay kits.
Confirm the quality of product meet specifications according to cGMP and ICH guidelines.

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist skills

Common postdoc research associate skills

Data Analysis, 9%
Mouse Model, 8%
Research Projects, 8%
Python, 7%
Chemistry, 7%
Cell Culture, 6%

Common associate scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Patients, 8%
Cell Culture, 5%
Data Analysis, 5%
GMP, 4%
Lab Equipment, 3%

Postdoc Research Associate vs. similar jobs

Postdoc Research Associate related careers

Postdoc Research Associate related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Postdoc Research Associate
Postdoc Research Associate vs Associate Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs