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Research scientist lead vs senior scientist

The differences between research scientist leads and senior scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a research scientist lead and a senior scientist. Additionally, a senior scientist has an average salary of $106,672, which is higher than the $102,713 average annual salary of a research scientist lead.

The top three skills for a research scientist lead include research projects, R and artificial intelligence. The most important skills for a senior scientist are patients, data analysis, and molecular biology.

Research scientist lead vs senior scientist overview

Research Scientist LeadSenior Scientist
Yearly salary$102,713$106,672
Hourly rate$49.38$51.28
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs86,79249,712
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Research scientist lead vs senior scientist salary

Research scientist leads and senior scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research Scientist LeadSenior Scientist
Average salary$102,713$106,672
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $155,000Between $74,000 And $153,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CARedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleBill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Best paying industryProfessionalTelecommunication

Differences between research scientist lead and senior scientist education

There are a few differences between a research scientist lead and a senior scientist in terms of educational background:

Research Scientist LeadSenior Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Research scientist lead vs senior scientist demographics

Here are the differences between research scientist leads' and senior scientists' demographics:

Research Scientist LeadSenior Scientist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 68.8% Female, 31.2%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between research scientist lead and senior scientist duties and responsibilities

Research scientist lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage pediatric dose development project, technology transfer project and alternate API supplier qualification project on budget and on schedule
  • Develop, validate and implement robust methods for pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity (ADA) and immunodepletion ELISAs, and cell based-bioassays.
  • Develop, validate and implement robust methods for pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity (ADA) and immunodepletion ELISAs, and cell based-bioassays.

Senior scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development and implementation of new technology for use in NMR applications.
  • Strategize and manage the PK/PD program with internal collaborations including chemistry, DMPK, formulation and toxicology.
  • Lead a team and develop a 24-channel GC parallel separation system for high throughput screening of catalysts.
  • Lead a team of 11 direct reports and 35 indirect reports to solve development problems for multicapillary electrophoresis instruments.
  • Influence and impact others through building and maintaining strong networks that are leverage to obtain critical information and accomplish objectives.
  • Manage collaborations with external CROs.
  • Show more

Research scientist lead vs senior scientist skills

Common research scientist lead skills
  • Research Projects, 18%
  • R, 8%
  • Artificial Intelligence, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • Statistical Analysis, 6%
  • Business Development, 5%
Common senior scientist skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Molecular Biology, 3%
  • Research Projects, 3%
  • C++, 3%
  • Java, 3%

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