Senior clinical research scientist vs research administrator

The differences between senior clinical research scientists and research administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior clinical research scientist and a research administrator. Additionally, a senior clinical research scientist has an average salary of $103,836, which is higher than the $52,667 average annual salary of a research administrator.

The top three skills for a senior clinical research scientist include clinical operations, informed consent and clinical development. The most important skills for a research administrator are research administration, customer service, and principal investigators.

Senior clinical research scientist vs research administrator overview

	Senior Clinical Research Scientist	Research Administrator
Yearly salary	$103,836	$52,667
Hourly rate	$49.92	$25.32
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	128,555	99,798
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a senior clinical research scientist do?

A senior clinical research scientist has to identify various diseases among their patients and conduct clinical investigations. Once they identify a disease and its cause, they assist physicians in the treatment of patients. They also have to analyze clinical data and health tests. They should have the ability to develop new research methods.

What does a research administrator do?

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Senior clinical research scientist vs research administrator salary

Senior clinical research scientists and research administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Clinical Research Scientist	Research Administrator
Average salary	$103,836	$52,667
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $159,000	Between $41,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Abiomed	Kronos Incorporated
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between senior clinical research scientist and research administrator education

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

	Senior Clinical Research Scientist	Research Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Stanford University

Senior clinical research scientist vs research administrator demographics

Here are the differences between senior clinical research scientists' and research administrators' demographics:

	Senior Clinical Research Scientist	Research Administrator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5%	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between senior clinical research scientist and research administrator duties and responsibilities

Senior clinical research scientist example responsibilities.

Supervise and manage planning, implementation, conduct and reporting of assign early phase international clinical studies in oncology.
Contribute to the development of templates for protocols and clinical study reports following FDA, GCP and ICH guidelines.
Authore and review abstracts, manuscripts, slide decks and posters in collaboration with internal and external (CRO) stakeholders.
Lead feasibility and identification of CRO selection for pediatric program.
Recruit investigators perform pre-study visits, negotiate budgets, initiate and monitor studies and verify data for accuracy and completeness.
Manage clinical monitors in successful completion of large international hypertension study.

Research administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.

Senior clinical research scientist vs research administrator skills

Common senior clinical research scientist skills

Clinical Operations, 8%
Informed Consent, 7%
Clinical Development, 7%
Clinical Trials, 6%
Clinical Data, 6%
Consent Forms, 5%

Common research administrator skills

Research Administration, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Principal Investigators, 7%
PIS, 6%
Pre-award, 6%
Payroll, 5%

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Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Senior Clinical Research Scientist vs Research Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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