Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between research scholars 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 scholar, becoming a postdoctoral research associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a research scholar has an average salary of $58,047, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a research scholar include analyze data, C++ and original research. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Research Scholar | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $58,047 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $27.91 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 51,721 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Research scholars are college students who perform on projects in a particular field for a university or organization. Generally, they work with professors and other professionals in the field of study and focus on discovering new information that can be produced in trade or academic journals. Also, they pursue intellectual and academic activities as well as may engaged in educating other researchers. They are usually paid a stipend for a set duration of time, and some may work outside the university.
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 scholars and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Scholar | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $58,047 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $92,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a research scholar and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Research Scholar | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between research scholars' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Research Scholar | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.8% White, 52.2% 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% |