What does a research affiliate do?
Research affiliate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research affiliate resumes:
- Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
- Explore speech production (gestural movement) using EMA and Matlab.
- Design and implement the active RF power servo for ion trap applications.
- Demonstrate the utility of monolayer ISC culture for disease modeling and high-throughput drug screening to identify potential therapeutics for IBD.
- Determine scintillator absorption and attenuation length.
- Experience with proper sample collection and preservation techniques for live specimens and environmental DNA analysis.
- Time code numerous videos for postdoctoral research on developmental behavior and violence -convert subject data into statistical input using IBM SPSS.
- Perform forensic analysis of chemical contaminants in fish tissues using multivariate statistical methods and GIS to discern primary regional contaminant sources.
Research affiliate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Research Affiliates are proficient in Cell Culture, Data Analysis, and R. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Affiliates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cell Culture, 22%
Managed laboratory cell culture operations, including training lab personnel, writing protocols, and performing necessary troubleshooting and maintenance tasks.
- Data Analysis, 16%
Mentored graduate students on data analysis and design of experiment to achieve project goals.
- R, 16%
Conducted longitudinal data analysis, logistic regression data analysis and linear regression analysis for the biological experiments using R and SAS.
- Research Projects, 10%
Provided expertise on other research projects such as statistical analysis or programming solutions.
- MATLAB, 9%
Researched under Dr. Ajay Gopinathan; Conducted MATLAB simulations to investigate patterns of molecular diffusion in potentials with three sinks.
- Molecular Biology Techniques, 8%
Supervised graduate and under-graduate students on various projects; provided training on various molecular biology techniques, including molecular marker development.
Common skills that a research affiliate uses to do their job include "cell culture," "data analysis," and "r." You can find details on the most important research affiliate responsibilities below.
Observation skills. One of the key soft skills for a research affiliate to have is observation skills. You can see how this relates to what research affiliates do because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Additionally, a research affiliate resume shows how research affiliates use observation skills: "tasked with completing daily field observations, data collection, data analysis reports, and a final research paper. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform research affiliate duties is communication skills. Research affiliates responsibilities require that "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Research affiliates also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "planned a communication strategy and assisted in conducting workshops at the symposium. "
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Research affiliate vs. Doctoral fellow
A doctoral fellow is a physician that has completed studies and receives a fellowship to cover his/her or her expenses while completing his/her or her medical dissertation. A doctor fellow undergoes this fellowship to get additional training for their chosen sub-specialty. During the fellowship period, a fellow can act as an attending physician or consultant physician with other physicians' direct supervision in the sub-specialty field.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a research affiliate are more likely to require skills like "matlab," "public health," "research data," and "rf." On the other hand, a job as a doctoral fellow requires skills like "patients," "cell biology," "immunology," and "veterans." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Doctoral fellows really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $67,423. Comparatively, research affiliates tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $76,453.The education levels that doctoral fellows earn slightly differ from research affiliates. In particular, doctoral fellows are 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a research affiliate. Additionally, they're 23.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research affiliate vs. Postdoctoral scholar
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research affiliate responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "matlab," "research data," "rf," and "clinical trials." Meanwhile, a postdoctoral scholar has duties that require skills in areas such as "chemistry," "patients," "nih," and "c++." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Postdoctoral scholars may earn a lower salary than research affiliates, but postdoctoral scholars earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $72,557. On the other hand, research affiliates receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $76,453.postdoctoral scholars earn similar levels of education than research affiliates in general. They're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 23.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research affiliate vs. Principal scientist
A Principal Scientist is focused on leading scientific teams and conducting research. They ensure that their teams have the resources to properly perform research tasks.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research affiliate is likely to be skilled in "cell culture," "molecular biology techniques," "python," and "rt-pcr," while a typical principal scientist is skilled in "oncology," "drug discovery," "gmp," and "experimental design."
Principal scientists make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $117,637. On the other hand, research affiliates are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $76,453.principal scientists typically earn lower educational levels compared to research affiliates. Specifically, they're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 10.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research affiliate vs. Fellow
A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between research affiliates and fellows, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a research affiliate might have more use for skills like "cell culture," "molecular biology techniques," "rt-pcr," and "research data." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of fellows require skills like "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics. "
In general, fellows earn the most working in the professional industry, with an average salary of $67,978. The highest-paying industry for a research affiliate is the education industry.fellows reach similar levels of education compared to research affiliates, in general. The difference is that they're 4.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of research affiliate
Updated January 8, 2025











