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The differences between postdoc research associates and 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 a researcher. Additionally, a researcher has an average salary of $67,145, 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 a researcher are python, lab equipment, and C++.
| Postdoc Research Associate | Researcher | |
| Yearly salary | $56,259 | $67,145 |
| Hourly rate | $27.05 | $32.28 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 49,460 | 30,498 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
Postdoc research associates and researchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Postdoc Research Associate | Researcher | |
| Average salary | $56,259 | $67,145 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $78,000 | Between $37,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | IBM | Renaissance Learning |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a postdoc research associate and a researcher in terms of educational background:
| Postdoc Research Associate | Researcher | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between postdoc research associates' and researchers' demographics:
| Postdoc Research Associate | Researcher | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9% | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% |
| 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, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |