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The differences between postdoctoral research associates and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a postdoctoral research associate, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant research scientist has an average salary of $62,780, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a postdoctoral research associate include python, research projects and chemistry. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,785 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $25.38 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 59,377 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Postdoctoral research associates and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $52,785 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $72,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Education |
There are a few differences between a postdoctoral research associate and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between postdoctoral research associates' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |