Post job

Senior development scientist vs research chemist

The differences between senior development scientists and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior development scientist has an average salary of $102,262, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for a senior development scientist include GMP, data analysis and technical reports. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Senior development scientist vs research chemist overview

Senior Development ScientistResearch Chemist
Yearly salary$102,262$75,843
Hourly rate$49.16$36.46
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs93,48153,769
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4142
Years of experience4-

What does a senior development scientist do?

The job of a senior development scientist revolves around product development, ensuring that the product will pass every stage of the process from design to delivery. You will oversee and guide the product development team in designing and testing new products and collecting and analyzing data needed for product release. As the senior product development scientist, you are expected to uphold all rules and regulations during production and development and ensure staff members adhere to safety protocols. You will also work closely with other departments, such as quality assurance and external consultants.

What does a research chemist do?

A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.

Senior development scientist vs research chemist salary

Senior development scientists and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Development ScientistResearch Chemist
Average salary$102,262$75,843
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $140,000Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAMcLean, VA
Highest paying stateTennesseeVirginia
Best paying companyAmazonBP America Inc
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalEnergy

Differences between senior development scientist and research chemist education

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

Senior Development ScientistResearch Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Senior development scientist vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between senior development scientists' and research chemists' demographics:

Senior Development ScientistResearch Chemist
Average age4142
Gender ratioMale, 71.7% Female, 28.3%Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%5%

Differences between senior development scientist and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Senior development scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage method validations and sample analysis for pre-clinical GLP studies.
  • Lead solvates diversity study of API to understand the mechanism of rejecting impurities by crystallization.
  • Manage formulating, packaging, distribution and QC of the PDAR, AoD and ABD product line in manufacturing environment.
  • Lead development of ELISA microplate assay for Cardiolipin antibodies
  • Work with quality department during production runs; assist QC with in-process HPLC.
  • Prepare regulatory submission package (CMC section) including reference standard, drug substance characterization and impurity characterization.
  • Show more

Research chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
  • Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
  • Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
  • Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
  • Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
  • Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.
  • Show more

Senior development scientist vs research chemist skills

Common senior development scientist skills
  • GMP, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • Technical Reports, 5%
  • Analytical Methods, 5%
  • Method Development, 4%
  • Assay Development, 3%
Common research chemist skills
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Method Development, 10%
  • R, 9%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Chemistry, 5%
  • Polymer, 5%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs