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.
Postdoctoral research associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real postdoctoral research associate resumes:
- 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.
- Employ neuronal primary cells to study a novel mutation (KIAA1549: BRAF) in patients with sporadic brain tumors.
- Participate in NIH fund study combining electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and mammography images to improve breast cancer detection.
- Identify participants for recruitment from eligible patients seen in clinics and hospitals through performance of a continuous audit of medical records.
- Assess manuscripts on behalf of peer-review journals and NIH RFA research proposals for scientific merit (data quality and interpretation).
- Conduct organic synthesis of low-molecular-mass and polymeric liquid crystals.
- Design an interactive visualization system for exploring player s behavior.
- Perform hit-to-lead chemistry, lead-optimization and scale-up of small molecules as drug candidates.
- Implement data flow and analysis of an automate chemistry workstation for organic synthesis.
- Develop LabVIEW data acquisition systems to detect vibration for 3-D visualization and system identification.
Postdoctoral research associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Postdoctoral Research Associates are proficient in Python, Research Projects, and Chemistry.
We break down the percentage of Postdoctoral Research Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 6%
Implemented a family of python scripts to ensure stability and reliability of particle accelerator data.
- Research Projects, 6%
Train graduate students, clinical research fellows and technicians to conduct biological research projects, including experimental and conceptual instruction.
- Chemistry, 6%
Supervised and trained Bio-Medical Engineering and Chemistry graduate students in chemical methods, framework implementation for effective research and data analysis.
- Data Analysis, 6%
Train and supervise undergraduate students in study design, assay development and validation, experiments, and data analysis and interpretation.
- Post-Doctoral, 5%
Awarded Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Post-doctoral Research Fellowship.
- Cell Culture, 5%
Supervised medical students, graduate students and undergraduate students to learn techniques in cell culture, molecular biology and biochemistry.
Most postdoctoral research associates use their skills in "python," "research projects," and "chemistry" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential postdoctoral research associate responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a postdoctoral research associate to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what postdoctoral research associates do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a postdoctoral research associate resume shows how postdoctoral research associates use communication skills: "facilitated communication between the sponsor company, visiting scholars, consultants, and the pi. "
Observation skills. Another essential skill to perform postdoctoral research associate duties is observation skills. Postdoctoral research associates responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Postdoctoral research associates also use observation skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "used monte carlo methods to simulate astronomical observations and to aid statistical analysis. "
The three companies that hire the most postdoctoral research associates are:
- University of Virginia84 postdoctoral research associates jobs
- Princeton University83 postdoctoral research associates jobs
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital68 postdoctoral research associates jobs
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Compare different postdoctoral research associates
Postdoctoral research associate vs. Staff scientist
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a postdoctoral research associate are more likely to require skills like "python," "chemistry," "post-doctoral," and "cell biology." On the other hand, a job as a staff scientist requires skills like "molecular biology," "rna," "project management," and "product development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Staff scientists really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $102,260. Comparatively, postdoctoral research associates tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $69,999.staff scientists tend to reach similar levels of education than postdoctoral research associates. In fact, staff scientists are 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 23.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Postdoctoral research associate vs. Scientist
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real postdoctoral research associate resumes. While postdoctoral research associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "post-doctoral," "cell biology," and "c++," scientists use skills like "molecular biology," "java," "product development," and "laboratory equipment."
Scientists may earn a higher salary than postdoctoral research associates, but scientists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $134,486. On the other hand, postdoctoral research associates receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,999.scientists earn similar levels of education than postdoctoral research associates in general. They're 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 23.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for postdoctoral research associates in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Postdoctoral research associate vs. Chemist
Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from postdoctoral research associate resumes include skills like "python," "research projects," "post-doctoral," and "cell culture," whereas a chemist is more likely to list skills in "lab equipment," "test results," "product development," and "method development. "
Chemists earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $75,495. Comparatively, postdoctoral research associates have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $69,999.Most chemists achieve a lower degree level compared to postdoctoral research associates. For example, they're 5.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 44.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Postdoctoral research associate vs. Senior scientist
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
Types of postdoctoral research associate
Updated January 8, 2025
