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.
Postdoc research associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real postdoc research associate resumes:
- 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.
- Silver nanoparticle synthesis and application in biomedical imaging.
- Study the application of wavelet methods in numerical analysis and financial mathematics.
- Control coating and fabrication on micro-electrodes, application of biocompatible material in bioanalytical chemistry.
- Investigate the effect of non-uniform strain on the absorption of semiconductor nano membrane analytically and numerically.
- Develop new crosslinking chemistry for quick fabrication of hydrogels for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
- Develop the camera take detection service via java and integrate it into an automatic video object annotation system utilizing social cues.
- Establish proper wet-chemistry routes to synthesize and disperse Eu: Lu2O3 ceramic nanoparticles.
- Develop a protocol for knocking down endogenous c-Abl using RNAi deliver by Lenti-viral vectors.
- Collect IRB certify informed consent from eligible and willing participants.
Postdoc research associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Postdoc Research Associates are proficient in Data Analysis, Mouse Model, and Research Projects.
We break down the percentage of Postdoc Research Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Analysis, 9%
Analyzed and performed data analysis on 3-D electron beam image data to characterize physical properties.
- Mouse Model, 8%
Test the immune response changes to current treatment on melanoma mouse model.
- Research Projects, 8%
Coordinate equipment purchasing, facility training, and research projects with industrial vendors and research collaborators.
- Python, 7%
Developed applications using Python for statistical analysis in UNIX for intellectual property protections for corn and soy.
- Chemistry, 7%
Deliver General Chemistry laboratories and tutoring to University students, effectively communicating complex theories.
- Cell Culture, 6%
Performed cell culture utilizing sterile technique and managed laboratory safety/chemical inventory/equipment.
Most postdoc research associates use their skills in "data analysis," "mouse model," and "research projects" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential postdoc research associate responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a postdoc research associate to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what postdoc research associates do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a postdoc research associate resume shows how postdoc research associates use communication skills: "demonstrated expertise with written communication lead to a commendation from pi as well as the offer of an additional review paper. "
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling postdoc research associate duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." According to a postdoc research associate resume, here's how postdoc research associates can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "conduct qualitative research and data analysis including interviews, classroom observations, and document review. "
The three companies that hire the most postdoc research associates are:
- Iowa State University9 postdoc research associates jobs
- University of Florida4 postdoc research associates jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings3 postdoc research associates jobs
Compare different postdoc research associates
Postdoc research associate vs. Fellow
A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, postdoc research associate responsibilities require skills like "mouse model," "chemistry," "cell culture," and "c++." Meanwhile a typical fellow has skills in areas such as "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Fellows tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $67,978. In contrast, postdoc research associates make the biggest average salary, $73,482, in the professional industry.fellows tend to reach similar levels of education than postdoc research associates. In fact, fellows are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 43.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Postdoc research associate 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that postdoc research associate responsibilities requires skills like "mouse model," "python," "chemistry," and "chip-seq." But a staff scientist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "molecular biology," "next-generation sequencing," "statistical analysis," and "rna."
On average, staff scientists earn a higher salary than postdoc research associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, staff scientists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $102,260. Whereas postdoc research associates have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $73,482.staff scientists earn similar levels of education than postdoc research associates in general. They're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 43.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for postdoc research associates in the next 3-5 years?
Postdoc research associate vs. Scientist
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, postdoc research associates are more likely to have skills like "mouse model," "python," "c++," and "chip-seq." But a scientist is more likely to have skills like "patients," "molecular biology," "java," and "flow cytometry."
Scientists earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $134,486. Comparatively, postdoc research associates have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $73,482.Most scientists achieve a similar degree level compared to postdoc research associates. For example, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 40.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Postdoc research associate vs. Senior scientist
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between postdoc research associates and senior scientists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a postdoc research associate might have more use for skills like "mouse model," "python," "chemistry," and "cell culture." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior scientists require skills like "patients," "molecular biology," "java," and "project management. "
The telecommunication industry tends to pay the highest salaries for senior scientists, with average annual pay of $107,016. Comparatively, the highest postdoc research associate annual salary comes from the professional industry.senior scientists reach similar levels of education compared to postdoc research associates, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 27.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of postdoc research associate
Updated January 8, 2025