What does a postdoctoral research scientist do?
A Postdoctoral Research Scientist undertakes and analyzes information about investigations, experiments, and trials from a controlled laboratory. They work in almost every area of science.
Postdoctoral research scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real postdoctoral research scientist resumes:
- Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
- Perform mouse genotyping by purifying mouse DNA and amplifying it using PCR.
- Establish stable human and rodent cell lines deficient in DNA DSB repair function.
- Identify a novel role for a leukemia tumor suppressor in DNA repair pathways.
- Involve in projects for identification and validation of biomarkers for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Contribute to projects at the interface of organic chemistry with biological and materials sciences.
- Perform genotype/phenotype correlations and genotyping using TaqMan and real time PCR.
- Synthesize a series of glycolipids and nucleolipids using carbohydrate chemistry to study biological pathways.
- Establish protocols for isolating extracellular RNA for RNAseq analysis and provide preliminary data for NIH grant application.
- Conduct immunohistochemistry studies to confirm presence of synaptic contacts make by identify cellular and synaptic biomarkers identify by functional studies.
- Develop the camera take detection service via java and integrate it into an automatic video object annotation system utilizing social cues.
- Create Monte Carlo models for real data and background using FORTRAN.
- Perform evaluation analysis of compounds being offer, including site visit and QC of drug development documentation
- Initiate and establish an external corporation for exosome transcriptomic and proteomic profiling.
- Investigate chromatid orientation through immunofluorescence.
Postdoctoral research scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Postdoctoral Research Scientists are proficient in Python, C++, and Research Projects.
We break down the percentage of Postdoctoral Research Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 18%
Classified five years of experimental data with a Boosted Decision Tree for signal detection in C++ & Python.
- C++, 13%
Performed Monte Carlo detector simulations using Java and C++.
- Research Projects, 6%
Develop independent research ideas and train laboratory staffs and clinical resident fellows for diverse research projects and collaboration.
- CRISPR, 5%
Established working protocols for targeted genome editing using CRISPR technology.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Trained in experimental design development; data analysis; manuscript/grant writing; presentation at interdisciplinary international meetings
- Cell Culture, 4%
Assisted a technician in handling mice for surgery prior to imaging, and mentored the technician in cell culture techniques.
Common skills that a postdoctoral research scientist uses to do their job include "python," "c++," and "research projects." You can find details on the most important postdoctoral research scientist responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a postdoctoral research scientist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what postdoctoral research scientists do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a postdoctoral research scientist resume shows how postdoctoral research scientists use communication skills: "developed pc communication and data analysis software for the system using c# .net. "
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling postdoctoral research scientist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." According to a postdoctoral research scientist resume, here's how postdoctoral research scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "collaborated with laboratory technician to ensure optimal cell storage techniques, monitor gene maturation through observation of dna patterns. "
The three companies that hire the most postdoctoral research scientists are:
- Columbia University in the City of New York172 postdoctoral research scientists jobs
- Meta55 postdoctoral research scientists jobs
- Cedars-Sinai30 postdoctoral research scientists jobs
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Postdoctoral research scientist vs. Quality control analyst
Quality assurance representatives are professionals who are responsible for ensuring the quality of units produced or manufactured is following the standards set by the industry. These representatives supervise the entire production process to identify erroneous methods or tools being used by workers and observing produced for visible defects. They are required to perform various tests to check for the durability of the product and other desirable characteristics. Quality assurance representatives must also collaborate with the manufacturing engineer to implement quality control programs and preparing training manuals and quality guidelines.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a postdoctoral research scientist are more likely to require skills like "python," "c++," "research projects," and "crispr." On the other hand, a job as a quality control analyst requires skills like "qc," "lab equipment," "microbiology," and "test methods." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Quality control analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,870. On the other hand, postdoctoral research scientists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $75,749.quality control analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than postdoctoral research scientists. In fact, quality control analysts are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 42.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Postdoctoral research scientist 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real postdoctoral research scientist resumes. While postdoctoral research scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "c++," "research projects," and "crispr," chemists use skills like "lab equipment," "test results," "product development," and "method development."
Chemists may earn a higher salary than postdoctoral research scientists, but chemists earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $75,495. On the other hand, postdoctoral research scientists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $75,749.chemists earn similar levels of education than postdoctoral research scientists in general. They're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 42.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for postdoctoral research scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Postdoctoral research scientist vs. Doctoral fellow
A doctoral fellow is a physician that has completed studies and receives a fellowship to cover his/her or her expenses while completing his/her or her medical dissertation. A doctor fellow undergoes this fellowship to get additional training for their chosen sub-specialty. During the fellowship period, a fellow can act as an attending physician or consultant physician with other physicians' direct supervision in the sub-specialty field.
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 scientist resumes include skills like "neuroscience," "pet," "research results," and "visualization," whereas a doctoral fellow is more likely to list skills in "patients," "cell biology," "veterans," and "flow cytometry. "
Doctoral fellows make a very good living in the pharmaceutical industry with an average annual salary of $67,423. On the other hand, postdoctoral research scientists are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $75,749.When it comes to education, doctoral fellows tend to earn similar degree levels compared to postdoctoral research scientists. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Postdoctoral research scientist vs. Research fellow
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between postdoctoral research scientists and research fellows, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a postdoctoral research scientist might have more use for skills like "neuroscience," "pet," "visualization," and "regression." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of research fellows require skills like "patients," "cell biology," "rna," and "public health. "
In general, research fellows earn the most working in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $57,261. The highest-paying industry for a postdoctoral research scientist is the technology industry.The average resume of research fellows showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to postdoctoral research scientists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 11.3%.Types of postdoctoral research scientist
Updated January 8, 2025











