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The differences between production scientists and postdoctoral research 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 production scientist and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a production scientist has an average salary of $77,464, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a production scientist include process improvement, QC and lab equipment. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $77,464 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $37.24 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 100,301 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A production scientist analyzes production operations and manufacturing processes to identify gaps, modify current procedures that would increase process efficiency, and maximize optimal performance. Production scientists inspect the tools and materials utilized for the production and oversee research trials for process formulations. They also develop opportunities and design models that support business functions, generating more innovation and increasing more revenue resources for the business. A production scientist writes research findings, manages resources, and determines various process feasibility.
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.
Production scientists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $77,464 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $124,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Beckman Coulter | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a production scientist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between production scientists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Production Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 23.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |