Post job

Project scientist vs senior research fellow

The differences between project scientists and senior 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 project scientist and a senior research fellow. Additionally, a project scientist has an average salary of $79,073, which is higher than the $62,129 average annual salary of a senior research fellow.

The top three skills for a project scientist include data analysis, research projects and oversight. The most important skills for a senior research fellow are python, research projects, and data analysis.

Project scientist vs senior research fellow overview

Project ScientistSenior Research Fellow
Yearly salary$79,073$62,129
Hourly rate$38.02$29.87
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs53,04553,535
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

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 senior research fellow do?

Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.

Project scientist vs senior research fellow salary

Project scientists and senior research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project ScientistSenior Research Fellow
Average salary$79,073$62,129
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $110,000Between $40,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CTUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateConnecticutHawaii
Best paying companyAmazonGoogle
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between project scientist and senior research fellow education

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

Project ScientistSenior Research Fellow
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorEnvironmental ScienceChemistry
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Project scientist vs senior research fellow demographics

Here are the differences between project scientists' and senior research fellows' demographics:

Project ScientistSenior Research Fellow
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 68.0% Female, 32.0%Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between project scientist and senior research fellow 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

Senior research fellow example responsibilities.

  • Lead a project aim at improving DNA yields from various soil types in Dr. Connell's lab.
  • Manage grant base research and submit the grant proposal to ICAR and get approved for fund research.
  • Mentore a graduate student on the following topics: study design, literature reviews, drafting data plans and SAS.
  • Contribute to the creation of new markup standards for scholarship in the humanities.
  • Research unidentify payments and patients.
  • Conduct long-term observations of grind water dynamics and chemistry.
  • Show more

Project scientist vs senior research fellow skills

Common project scientist skills
  • Data Analysis, 10%
  • Research Projects, 9%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • Data Management, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 4%
  • EPA, 4%
Common senior research fellow skills
  • Python, 12%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • C++, 6%
  • Research Findings, 5%
  • Data Collection, 4%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs