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The differences between principal research scientists and research fellows 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 research fellow. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $53,823 average annual salary of a research fellow.
The top three skills for a principal research scientist include research projects, principal research and data analysis. The most important skills for a research fellow are patients, research projects, and data analysis.
| Principal Research Scientist | Research Fellow | |
| Yearly salary | $127,191 | $53,823 |
| Hourly rate | $61.15 | $25.88 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 126,911 | 59,746 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's 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 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.
Principal research scientists and research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Scientist | Research Fellow | |
| Average salary | $127,191 | $53,823 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $184,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a principal research scientist and a research fellow in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Scientist | Research Fellow | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between principal research scientists' and research fellows' demographics:
| Principal Research Scientist | Research Fellow | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7% |
| 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 27.1% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |