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Postdoc research associate vs phd researcher

The differences between postdoc research associates and phd researchers 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 phd researcher. Additionally, a postdoc research associate has an average salary of $56,259, which is higher than the $51,634 average annual salary of an phd researcher.

The top three skills for a postdoc research associate include data analysis, mouse model and research projects. The most important skills for an phd researcher are python, chemistry, and research projects.

Postdoc research associate vs phd researcher overview

Postdoc Research AssociatePHD Researcher
Yearly salary$56,259$51,634
Hourly rate$27.05$24.82
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs49,46019,736
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 40%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

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 phd researcher do?

The primary job of a Ph.D. researcher is to plan and conduct experiments and analyzing their outcome. You will collect, organize, and analyze data and opinions to solve issues and predict trends. Other tasks you will perform include doing fieldwork to collect samples, writing reports, research papers, and reviews, and organizing materials testing. In addition, you need to liaise with research and production staff, develop ways to resolve problems, and supervise junior research staff.

Postdoc research associate vs phd researcher salary

Postdoc research associates and phd researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Postdoc Research AssociatePHD Researcher
Average salary$56,259$51,634
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $78,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CANovato, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyIBMMeta
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between postdoc research associate and phd researcher education

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

Postdoc Research AssociatePHD Researcher
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 40%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Postdoc research associate vs phd researcher demographics

Here are the differences between postdoc research associates' and phd researchers' demographics:

Postdoc Research AssociatePHD Researcher
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 73.1% Female, 26.9%Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 32.5% White, 47.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between postdoc research associate and phd researcher 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.
  • Show more

Phd researcher example responsibilities.

  • Manage and mentore graduate and undergraduate students in their physical chemistry relate studies and research projects on spin dynamics simulations.
  • Evaluate data employing GC/MS, gel electrophoresis, and UV/VIS spectroscopy.
  • Perform testing using gel electrophoresis as well as mixed and pour the gels used in testing
  • Optimize and redesign robotic components base on FEA for improve strength using ANSYS and SOLIDWORKS.
  • Coauthor an NIH grant proposal on DNA mismatch repair and malaria drug resistance (5R21AI072723-02).
  • Design a scent dispenser 3D model in SolidWorks and build a prototype by utilizing MasterCam and CNC machines.
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Postdoc research associate vs phd researcher skills

Common postdoc research associate skills
  • Data Analysis, 9%
  • Mouse Model, 8%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Python, 7%
  • Chemistry, 7%
  • Cell Culture, 6%
Common phd researcher skills
  • Python, 9%
  • Chemistry, 8%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Renewable Energy, 6%
  • C++, 5%

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