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The differences between postdoctoral research associates and postdoctoral scholars can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a postdoctoral research associate and a postdoctoral scholar. Additionally, a postdoctoral scholar has an average salary of $57,587, 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 postdoctoral scholar are chemistry, python, and patients.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Yearly salary | $52,785 | $57,587 |
| Hourly rate | $25.38 | $27.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 59,377 | 18,983 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
Postdoctoral research associates and postdoctoral scholars have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average salary | $52,785 | $57,587 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $72,000 | Between $41,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a postdoctoral research associate and a postdoctoral scholar in terms of educational background:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between postdoctoral research associates' and postdoctoral scholars' demographics:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |