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Research and development technician vs biological science technician

The differences between research and development technicians and biological science technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a research and development technician and a biological science technician. Additionally, a research and development technician has an average salary of $83,552, which is higher than the $35,390 average annual salary of a biological science technician.

The top three skills for a research and development technician include R, project management and product management. The most important skills for a biological science technician are laboratory equipment, data collection, and rehabilitation.

Research and development technician vs biological science technician overview

Research And Development TechnicianBiological Science Technician
Yearly salary$83,552$35,390
Hourly rate$40.17$17.01
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs111,26813,801
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a research and development technician do?

A research and development technician specializes in performing mathematical and laboratory operations to support projects concerning products and development. Usually functioning as an assistant to a more experienced researcher, a research and development technician's responsibilities revolve around conducting analysis, building models and prototypes, producing reports, and performing various experiments. Furthermore, as a technician, it is crucial to coordinate with all team members, keeping an accurate record of all processes while adhering to the company's standards and regulations.

What does a biological science technician do?

A biological science technician is responsible for supporting scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and examinations. Biological science technicians perform data analysis procedures, evaluate findings, and create data reports. They also ensure the cleanliness of the laboratory, including the laboratory tools and equipment, to prevent contamination that may affect the accuracy of test results. A biological science technician must have excellent scientific knowledge, especially on the application of scientific methods, assessing research studies, and other related scientific principles.

Research and development technician vs biological science technician salary

Research and development technicians and biological science technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research And Development TechnicianBiological Science Technician
Average salary$83,552$35,390
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $125,000Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CAWatertown Town, MA
Highest paying stateConnecticutMassachusetts
Best paying companyPayPalSenesTech
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between research and development technician and biological science technician education

There are a few differences between a research and development technician and a biological science technician in terms of educational background:

Research And Development TechnicianBiological Science Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorBusinessBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Research and development technician vs biological science technician demographics

Here are the differences between research and development technicians' and biological science technicians' demographics:

Research And Development TechnicianBiological Science Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 72.5% Female, 27.5%Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 15.4% White, 50.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 12.7% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between research and development technician and biological science technician duties and responsibilities

Research and development technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to standardize test procedures and develop test database to achieve UL approve test laboratory status.
  • Develop BlazeMaster and TempRite products and achieve CSA, UL and NSF approvals.
  • Design and manage the infrastructure of a quality management system to support regulate clinical and non-clinical GLP studies.
  • Manage customer support, and administered/instal office mini-computers and PC network.
  • General laboratory duties; coordinate maintenance of equipment, maintain ingredient and prototype inventory, manage shipping and receiving.
  • Manage project from conceptual design through final debugging and animal/clinical testing resulting in a new business unit within the company.
  • Show more

Biological science technician example responsibilities.

  • Create PowerPoint and other support media for presentation of research to PhD research leads.
  • Assist in developing a genetic algorithm for generating sound recognition templates for insect calls (still ongoing).
  • Develop an image viewer design to let researchers train programs so that they can see and label insect calls
  • General laboratory work - collecting tissue sample, organization/preparation, plant seeds, greenhouse work, maintenance of plants, etc
  • Train on FDA regulations for biological materials and regulating inventory.
  • Prepare bacteria suspension for greenhouse cotton bolls and inject bacterial suspension bolls.
  • Show more

Research and development technician vs biological science technician skills

Common research and development technician skills
  • R, 13%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Product Management, 5%
  • Product Development, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
Common biological science technician skills
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Scientific Data, 5%
  • USDA, 5%
  • Water Quality, 4%

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