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Project scientist vs research assistant professor

The differences between project scientists and research assistant professors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a project scientist, becoming a research assistant professor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a project scientist has an average salary of $79,073, which is higher than the $73,455 average annual salary of a research assistant professor.

The top three skills for a project scientist include data analysis, research projects and oversight. The most important skills for a research assistant professor are research projects, biomedical, and research program.

Project scientist vs research assistant professor overview

Project ScientistResearch Assistant Professor
Yearly salary$79,073$73,455
Hourly rate$38.02$35.31
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs53,04562,395
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Doctoral Degree, 44%
Average age4138
Years of experience42

What does a project scientist do?

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.

What does a research assistant professor do?

A research assistant professor works part-time at colleges or universities where they focus on conducting research and extensive studies. They typically work under the supervision and directives of a professor and perform support tasks such as gathering and analyzing samples through different scientific procedures, completing interviews and surveys, performing experiments and assessments, maintaining records, and handling calls and other forms of correspondence. Additionally, a research assistant professor may also teach undergraduates and participate in preparing activities and curriculum materials.

Project scientist vs research assistant professor salary

Project scientists and research assistant professors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project ScientistResearch Assistant Professor
Average salary$79,073$73,455
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $110,000Between $52,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CTWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutMassachusetts
Best paying companyAmazonStanford University
Best paying industryTechnologyHealth Care

Differences between project scientist and research assistant professor education

There are a few differences between a project scientist and a research assistant professor in terms of educational background:

Project ScientistResearch Assistant Professor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Doctoral Degree, 44%
Most common majorEnvironmental ScienceChemistry
Most common collegeDuke UniversityHarvard University

Project scientist vs research assistant professor demographics

Here are the differences between project scientists' and research assistant professors' demographics:

Project ScientistResearch Assistant Professor
Average age4138
Gender ratioMale, 68.0% Female, 32.0%Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between project scientist and research assistant professor duties and responsibilities

Project scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage clearance sampling and responsible for final clearance readings and other duties as directed by EPA.
  • Manage the GIS data set and develop maps to support interim actions, the risk assessment, and the RI/FS.
  • Develop and manage company asbestos inspection program.
  • Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
  • Develop QC HPLC procedure for raw materials and finish products.
  • Perform RNA extraction, RT-PCR and qPCR to evaluate gene regulation on Bcl3 mutants.
  • Show more

Research assistant professor example responsibilities.

  • Manage UW small animal MRI facility.
  • Manage all aspects of HPLC method development and analysis through interpretation of data ensuring accuracy of results.
  • Conduct basic and apply research on HIV immunology.
  • Apply SAS and SPSS programming in a variety of research contexts.
  • Key role in research group's NIH grant applications and long-term project planning.
  • Develop python pipeline to analyze imaging data.
  • Show more

Project scientist vs research assistant professor skills

Common project scientist skills
  • Data Analysis, 10%
  • Research Projects, 9%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • Data Management, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 4%
  • EPA, 4%
Common research assistant professor skills
  • Research Projects, 9%
  • Biomedical, 7%
  • Research Program, 7%
  • Independent Research, 6%
  • Public Health, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 5%

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