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The differences between research biologists and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a research biologist, becoming a postdoctoral research associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research biologist has an average salary of $69,719, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a research biologist include laboratory equipment, research projects and molecular biology. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Research Biologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $69,719 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $33.52 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 52,799 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
A research biologist is a scientist who works in the outdoors, laboratories, and offices to study the natural elements so that they can better understand how living organisms work. Research biologists must design experiments for various research projects conducted under standard operating procedures and good laboratory practice guidelines. They are required to supervise lab technicians and veterinary medicine students in their respective research projects and studies. Research biologists must also provide support for clinical research protocols through laboratory procedures and protocols.
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 biologists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Biologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $69,719 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $96,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Juneau, AK | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Professional |
There are a few differences between a research biologist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Research Biologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research biologists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Research Biologist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 15.7% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 10% | 8% |