Research administrator vs senior research associate

The differences between research administrators and senior research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a research administrator and a senior research associate. Additionally, a senior research associate has an average salary of $72,618, which is higher than the $52,667 average annual salary of a research administrator.

The top three skills for a research administrator include research administration, customer service and principal investigators. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.

Research administrator vs senior research associate overview

	Research Administrator	Senior Research Associate
Yearly salary	$52,667	$72,618
Hourly rate	$25.32	$34.91
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	99,798	58,903
Job satisfaction	2	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a research administrator do?

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a senior research associate do?

A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.

Research administrator vs senior research associate salary

Research administrators and senior research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Administrator	Senior Research Associate
Average salary	$52,667	$72,618
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $67,000	Between $51,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Washington
Best paying company	Kronos Incorporated	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Health Care	Government

Differences between research administrator and senior research associate education

There are a few differences between a research administrator and a senior research associate in terms of educational background:

	Research Administrator	Senior Research Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Research administrator vs senior research associate demographics

Here are the differences between research administrators' and senior research associates' demographics:

	Research Administrator	Senior Research Associate
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%	Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between research administrator and senior research associate duties and responsibilities

Research administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.

Senior research associate example responsibilities.

Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Develop, implement and optimize HPLC and ELISA assays in support of cell line and process development.
Provide purification service with rp-LCMS, np- HPLC, and MPLC, as well QC data including UPLC-MS and NMR.
Engineer and design a unique CRISPR cloning system for the group.
Apply the CRISPR technology to conduct gene editing in human IPSCs.
Develop an identity ELISA assay to detect the presence of competing and irrelevant drug products in manufacturing process.

Research administrator vs senior research associate skills

Common research administrator skills

Research Administration, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Principal Investigators, 7%
PIS, 6%
Pre-award, 6%
Payroll, 5%

Common senior research associate skills

Patients, 9%
Data Analysis, 6%
CRISPR, 6%
Molecular Biology, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%
Flow Cytometry, 4%

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Research Administrator
Research Administrator vs Senior Research Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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