Postdoctoral research associate vs research laboratory technician

The differences between postdoctoral research associates and research laboratory technicians 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 research laboratory technician. Additionally, a postdoctoral research associate has an average salary of $52,785, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a postdoctoral research associate include python, research projects and chemistry. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Postdoctoral research associate vs research laboratory technician overview

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$52,785	$38,308
Hourly rate	$25.38	$18.42
Growth rate	17%	9%
Number of jobs	59,377	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Doctoral Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	41	40
Years of experience	4	4

What does a postdoctoral research associate do?

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.

What does a research laboratory technician do?

Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

Postdoctoral research associate vs research laboratory technician salary

Postdoctoral research associates and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$52,785	$38,308
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $72,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Memphis, TN	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Illinois
Best paying company	Argonne National Laboratory	Accenture
Best paying industry	Professional	Manufacturing

Differences between postdoctoral research associate and research laboratory technician education

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

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Doctoral Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Duke University	Cornell University

Postdoctoral research associate vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between postdoctoral research associates' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	41	40
Gender ratio	Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between postdoctoral research associate and research laboratory technician 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.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Postdoctoral research associate vs research laboratory technician skills

Common postdoctoral research associate skills

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

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

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Postdoctoral Research Associate
Postdoctoral Research Associate vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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