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What does a senior applications scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Betsy Smith

A senior applications scientist imports and exports data as well as managing user interface security. They must identify issues in their company's database system and resolve them. They are also responsible for designing equipment to automate database systems.

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Senior applications scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior applications scientist resumes:

  • Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
  • Design, develop and implement DNA base assays and immunoassays.
  • Subject matter expert for applications of a pathogen detection system base on principles of PCR and mass spectrometry.
  • Develop, validate and implement robust methods for pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity (ADA) and immunodepletion ELISAs, and cell based-bioassays.
  • Develop novel applications for FDSS6000 HTS instrument.
  • Conduct genotyping and phenotyping of models as required.

Senior applications scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Senior Applications Scientists are proficient in Software Development, Data Collection, and Next-Generation Sequencing.

We break down the percentage of Senior Applications Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Software Development, 16%

    Designed and documented appropriate instrument performance tests, worked with software development to automate these tests and transferred process to manufacturing.

  • Data Collection, 10%

    Lead 510(k) data collection and manage data analysis and summary presentation.

  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 9%

    Established a Next-generation sequencing platform and developed assays for high-throughput genetic analysis using Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM).

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Performed biological screening for a pharmaceutical drug development corporation, inclusive of data analysis and communicating pertinent results to other scientists.

  • Customer Support, 5%

    Promoted from the customer support team to help develop the company's technology and realize new markets for sales.

  • Technical Support, 5%

    Developed and implemented a customer technical support model utilizing online training materials for internal and external use.

Most senior applications scientists use their skills in "software development," "data collection," and "next-generation sequencing" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior applications scientist responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior applications scientist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a senior applications scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "coordinate biopsy and clinical studies to support technical claims substantiation and communication. "

Observation skills. Many senior applications scientist duties rely on observation skills. "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data.," so a senior applications scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior applications scientist responsibilities rely on observation skills: "monitored field of expertise, including literature and technology development, and communicates relevant observations regarding cell culture and technology advantages. "

See the full list of senior applications scientist skills

The three companies that hire the most senior applications scientists are:

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Senior Applications Scientist Resume
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Compare different senior applications scientists

Senior applications scientist vs. Research fellow

A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.

The annual salary of research fellows is $51,715 lower than the average salary of senior applications scientists.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior applications scientist and research fellow positions are skilled in data collection, next-generation sequencing, and data analysis.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior applications scientists and research fellow. For instance, senior applications scientist responsibilities require skills such as "software development," "post sales," "customer support," and "technical support." Whereas a research fellow is skilled in "patients," "research projects," "immunology," and "crispr." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Research fellows earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $57,261. On the other hand, senior applications scientists are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $104,224.The education levels that research fellows earn slightly differ from senior applications scientists. In particular, research fellows are 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior applications scientist. Additionally, they're 4.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior applications scientist vs. Fellow

A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.

Fellow positions earn lower pay than senior applications scientist roles. They earn a $39,174 lower salary than senior applications scientists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior applications scientists and fellows have skills such as "data collection," "data analysis," and "r."

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior applications scientist responsibilities requires skills like "software development," "next-generation sequencing," "post sales," and "customer support." But a fellow might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics."

Fellows earn a lower average salary than senior applications scientists. But fellows earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $67,978. Additionally, senior applications scientists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $104,224 annually.In general, fellows achieve similar levels of education than senior applications scientists. They're 0.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 4.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior applications scientists in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Betsy SmithDr. Betsy Smith LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College

Honestly, I think anytime a scientist tries to predict what will be "big" in a few years, they're likely to fail. That said, I think there's a growing interest among consumers for more "green" products, so research into those areas will likely grow. For instance, we might see attempts to develop new plastics that are safer for the environment and humans, perhaps biodegradable. Organic chemistry traditionally uses harsh solvents and chemicals that are difficult to dispose of safely, so there is an effort to find alternatives to these. Analytical chemistry techniques for separating and identifying compounds, like GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), will likely continue to be necessary. CRISPR, the relatively new gene-editing technology, is likely to become even more widely used on the biochemistry side of things.

Senior applications scientist vs. Phd researcher

The primary job of a Ph.D. researcher is to plan and conduct experiments and analyzing their outcome. You will collect, organize, and analyze data and opinions to solve issues and predict trends. Other tasks you will perform include doing fieldwork to collect samples, writing reports, research papers, and reviews, and organizing materials testing. In addition, you need to liaise with research and production staff, develop ways to resolve problems, and supervise junior research staff.

On average, phd researchers earn lower salaries than senior applications scientists, with a $53,904 difference per year.senior applications scientists and phd researchers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data collection," "next-generation sequencing," and "data analysis," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior applications scientist resumes include skills like "software development," "post sales," "customer support," and "technical support," whereas an phd researcher is more likely to list skills in "python," "chemistry," "research projects," and "renewable energy. "

Phd researchers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $79,949. Comparatively, senior applications scientists have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $104,224.phd researchers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior applications scientists. Specifically, they're 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 12.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior applications scientist vs. Researcher

A researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.

Researchers tend to earn a lower pay than senior applications scientists by an average of $38,393 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior applications scientists and researchers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data collection," "data analysis," and "r."While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "software development," "next-generation sequencing," "post sales," and "customer support" are skills that commonly show up on senior applications scientist resumes. On the other hand, researchers use skills like python, lab equipment, c++, and research findings on their resumes.In general, researchers hold similar degree levels compared to senior applications scientists. Researchers are 3.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 23.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior applications scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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