Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between principal research scientists and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a principal research scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a principal research scientist include research projects, principal research and data analysis. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Principal Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $127,191 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $61.15 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 126,911 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Principal research scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $127,191 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $184,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Education |
There are a few differences between a principal research scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between principal research scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Principal Research Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |