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The differences between research assistant professors and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a research assistant professor, becoming a postdoctoral research associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research assistant professor has an average salary of $73,455, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a research assistant professor include research projects, biomedical and research program. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Research Assistant Professor | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $73,455 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $35.31 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 62,395 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 44% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A research assistant professor works part-time at colleges or universities where they focus on conducting research and extensive studies. They typically work under the supervision and directives of a professor and perform support tasks such as gathering and analyzing samples through different scientific procedures, completing interviews and surveys, performing experiments and assessments, maintaining records, and handling calls and other forms of correspondence. Additionally, a research assistant professor may also teach undergraduates and participate in preparing activities and curriculum materials.
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
Research assistant professors and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Assistant Professor | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $73,455 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $102,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Stanford University | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a research assistant professor and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Research Assistant Professor | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 44% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research assistant professors' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Research Assistant Professor | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |