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Senior clinical research scientist vs research coordinator

The differences between senior clinical research scientists and research coordinators 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 coordinator. Additionally, a senior clinical research scientist has an average salary of $103,836, which is higher than the $48,974 average annual salary of a research coordinator.

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 coordinator are patients, informed consent, and data collection.

Senior clinical research scientist vs research coordinator overview

Senior Clinical Research ScientistResearch Coordinator
Yearly salary$103,836$48,974
Hourly rate$49.92$23.55
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs128,55565,406
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

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 coordinator do?

A research coordinator is responsible for assisting the development of research data from clinical trials and laboratory investigations under the supervision of a lead researcher or a research supervisor. In some cases, research coordinators conduct field investigations and analyze existing research materials upon understanding the scope and limitations of the study. They enter their findings and useful resources on the research database for reference to the research team. A research coordinator must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, especially on gathering data and coordinating with other researchers for the progress and updates of the study.

Senior clinical research scientist vs research coordinator salary

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

Senior Clinical Research ScientistResearch Coordinator
Average salary$103,836$48,974
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $159,000Between $35,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABothell, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyAbiomedBNP Paribas
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between senior clinical research scientist and research coordinator education

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

Senior Clinical Research ScientistResearch Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborDuke University

Senior clinical research scientist vs research coordinator demographics

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

Senior Clinical Research ScientistResearch Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 48.5% Female, 51.5%Male, 29.1% Female, 70.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 15.1% Asian, 10.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior clinical research scientist and research coordinator 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 coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage participant's records ensuring confidentiality as well as NIH specifications.
  • Manage all IRB submissions, sponsor communications, participate in monitoring visits, drug reconciliation and dispensing.
  • Recruit, screen, conduct psychometric examinations and collect data for pharmaceutical clinical trials in patients diagnose with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Maintain confidential information and appropriate ethical professionalism with highly sensitive personal health information; take part in IRB human subjects training.
  • Assist in preparation of grants, NIH progress reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
  • Ensure and maintain confidentiality, privacy and compliance of patient rights in accordance with HIPAA regulations and NVCI policies.
  • Show more

Senior clinical research scientist vs research coordinator 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 coordinator skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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