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The differences between project 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 project scientist and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a project scientist has an average salary of $79,073, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a project scientist include data analysis, research projects and oversight. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Project Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $79,073 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $38.02 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 53,045 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Project Scientist is responsible for conducting tests and evaluations of existing products and reporting the findings. The industries they may work in include textiles technology, polymer technology, chemical sciences, and chemical engineering.
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.
Project scientists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $79,073 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $110,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a project scientist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Project Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between project scientists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Project Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.2% White, 53.3% 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% |