Research assistant, chemistry department vs graduate research student

The differences between research assistants, chemistry department and graduate research students can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research assistant, chemistry department has an average salary of $64,402, which is higher than the $34,658 average annual salary of a graduate research student.

The top three skills for a research assistant, chemistry department include NMR, SEM and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a graduate research student are lab equipment, laboratory equipment, and python.

Research assistant, chemistry department vs graduate research student overview

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Graduate Research Student
Yearly salary	$64,402	$34,658
Hourly rate	$30.96	$16.66
Growth rate	9%	19%
Number of jobs	74,916	58,921
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	4	-

Research assistant, chemistry department vs graduate research student salary

Research assistants, chemistry department and graduate research students have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Graduate Research Student
Average salary	$64,402	$34,658
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $91,000	Between $19,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	-	Capgemini
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between research assistant, chemistry department and graduate research student education

There are a few differences between a research assistant, chemistry department and a graduate research student in terms of educational background:

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Graduate Research Student
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Cornell University	Stanford University

Research assistant, chemistry department vs graduate research student demographics

Here are the differences between research assistants, chemistry department' and graduate research students' demographics:

	Research Assistant, Chemistry Department	Graduate Research Student
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%	Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 19.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between research assistant, chemistry department and graduate research student duties and responsibilities

Research assistant, chemistry department example responsibilities.

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Work with familiarization level proficiency in the use of spectroscopy, electrophoresis and other quantitative analytical techniques.
Synthesize a single strand DNA sensor.
Research relate to gas absorption with hydrogen fuel cell applications.
Prepare numerous chemical solution samples for analysis and various buffers used for CE and HPLC analysis.
Develop HPLC methods and analyze organic compounds.

Graduate research student example responsibilities.

Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
Conduct molecular and cellular biology research techniques including DNA, RNA and protein isolation and analysis
Assist in organic chemistry laboratory on synthesis of molecule that behaves as fluorescent switch with cation binding properties
Perform Parkinson's psychological test on undergraduate students at UCLA and analyze data using statistical analysis software SPSS.
Analyze data using SAS statistical software, and map populations using GIS.
Summarize statistics from SAS outputs for USDA research grant investigating WIC and food insecurity.

Research assistant, chemistry department vs graduate research student skills

Common research assistant, chemistry department skills

NMR, 13%
SEM, 9%
Laboratory Equipment, 8%
DR, 7%
Nmr Spectroscopy, 6%
Organic Synthesis, 5%

Common graduate research student skills

Lab Equipment, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Python, 6%
C++, 5%
Chemistry, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%

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Research Assistant, Chemistry Department
Research Assistant, Chemistry Department vs Graduate Research Student

Updated January 8, 2025

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