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The differences between postdoctoral research associates and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research chemist has an average salary of $75,843, 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 research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Research Chemist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,785 | $75,843 |
| Hourly rate | $25.38 | $36.46 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 59,377 | 53,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 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 research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
Postdoctoral research associates and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Research Chemist | |
| Average salary | $52,785 | $75,843 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $72,000 | Between $53,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Memphis, TN | McLean, VA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a postdoctoral research associate and a research chemist in terms of educational background:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Research Chemist | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between postdoctoral research associates' and research chemists' demographics:
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Research Chemist | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |