Postdoctoral research associate vs doctoral research assistant

The differences between postdoctoral research associates and doctoral research assistants 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 a doctoral research assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a doctoral research assistant has an average salary of $56,458, 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 a doctoral research assistant are data collection, research projects, and PI.

Postdoctoral research associate vs doctoral research assistant overview

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Doctoral Research Assistant
Yearly salary	$52,785	$56,458
Hourly rate	$25.38	$27.14
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	59,377	53,091
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Doctoral Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	41	38
Years of experience	4	2

Postdoctoral research associate vs doctoral research assistant salary

Postdoctoral research associates and doctoral research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Doctoral Research Assistant
Average salary	$52,785	$56,458
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $72,000	Between $41,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Memphis, TN	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Argonne National Laboratory	Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Best paying industry	Professional	Education

Differences between postdoctoral research associate and doctoral research assistant education

There are a few differences between a postdoctoral research associate and a doctoral research assistant in terms of educational background:

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Doctoral Research Assistant
Most common degree	Doctoral Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	Duke University	Harvard University

Postdoctoral research associate vs doctoral research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between postdoctoral research associates' and doctoral research assistants' demographics:

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Doctoral Research Assistant
Average age	41	38
Gender ratio	Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3%	Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9%
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, 16.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between postdoctoral research associate and doctoral research assistant duties and responsibilities

Postdoctoral research associate example responsibilities.

Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
Transfect 293-T cells with CRISPR constructs.
Execute parallel synthesis on both solution and solid phase to develop library of compounds.
Diagnose and resolve all instruments during breakdown (GC/MS/MS, GC/ECD, UV-Vis).
Develop python codes to efficiently handle multiple read/unread, flag/unflag, and delete operations on emails.
Characterize particles using DLS and UV-vis spectrophotometer to measure particle sizes and detect oxide layer, respectively.

Doctoral research assistant example responsibilities.

Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
Receive additional training in SAS.
Used electronic and structure evaluations using quantum chemistry packages such as GAUSSIAN.
Prepare and implement unique proposals for the synthesis of polymer and small molecule targets.
Discover novel mechanical functions for collagen and short DNA molecules in response to force.
Develop the use of FPLC for detection and characterization of large DNA structural motifs.

Postdoctoral research associate vs doctoral research assistant skills

Common postdoctoral research associate skills

Python, 6%
Research Projects, 6%
Chemistry, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
Post-Doctoral, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%

Common doctoral research assistant skills

Data Collection, 12%
Research Projects, 11%
PI, 9%
Data Analysis, 6%
Molecular Biology, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%

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Postdoctoral Research Associate
Postdoctoral Research Associate vs Doctoral Research Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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