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Research associate r & d vs research specialist

The differences between research associate r & ds and research specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a research associate r & d and a research specialist. Additionally, a research associate r & d has an average salary of $70,829, which is higher than the $52,662 average annual salary of a research specialist.

The top three skills for a research associate r & d include cell culture, elisa and analyze data. The most important skills for a research specialist are data collection, patients, and research projects.

Research associate r & d vs research specialist overview

Research Associate R & DResearch Specialist
Yearly salary$70,829$52,662
Hourly rate$34.05$25.32
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs57,14279,341
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

What does a research associate r & d do?

Research associates are employees who work in the company's research and development department. They are responsible for researching industry trends, product innovations, and even competitors' products. Research associates are usually fresh graduates or entry-level employees. They are exposed to the company's products and how each product came to be. They should be familiar with the company brand, as well as the company's vision and mission so that they are guided as they conduct research. Research associates research to further improve the current products and services of the company. They also help out in producing new products or innovating existing ones.

What does a research specialist do?

In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.

Research associate r & d vs research specialist salary

Research associate r & ds and research specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research Associate R & DResearch Specialist
Average salary$70,829$52,662
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $101,000Between $35,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyAppleNovartis
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between research associate r & d and research specialist education

There are a few differences between a research associate r & d and a research specialist in terms of educational background:

Research Associate R & DResearch Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Research associate r & d vs research specialist demographics

Here are the differences between research associate r & ds' and research specialists' demographics:

Research Associate R & DResearch Specialist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 50.4% Female, 49.6%Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between research associate r & d and research specialist duties and responsibilities

Research associate r & d example responsibilities.

  • Manage training records for a department of 50 plus individuals ensuring company compliance with GLP practices.
  • Lead the execution of protein extraction, quantification and identification from medicinal plants, germinating seeds and seedlings.
  • Perform high-throughput DNA extraction utilizing Roche MagNaPure instrumentation.
  • Used LIMS to enter all analytical data in reports.
  • Run HP6890 GC with chemstation software for OVI and residual solvent test.
  • Isolate and purify viral RNA for RT-PCR and analyze sequences using ChromasPro.
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Research specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage both GLP and non-GLP studies that are contracted to CROs.
  • Create weekly presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and manage monthly board meetings.
  • Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
  • Assist in surgical procedures on both rabbits and rats to obtain tissue specimens for RNA isolation for subsequent RT-PCR
  • Perform and supervise applied bench scale and pilot scale process research on extraction, distillation, and reaction processes.
  • Perform the timely and accurate execution of CESG protocols, procedures and results within the cloning and crystallography teams.
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Research associate r & d vs research specialist skills

Common research associate r & d skills
  • Cell Culture, 7%
  • Elisa, 6%
  • Analyze Data, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Cell-Based Assays, 5%
  • GMP, 4%
Common research specialist skills
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Research Projects, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Molecular Biology, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 4%

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