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The differences between senior formulation scientists and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior formulation scientist and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a senior formulation scientist has an average salary of $102,574, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a senior formulation scientist include dosage forms, scale-up and formulation development. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Senior Formulation Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $102,574 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $49.31 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 48,668 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
As a senior formulation scientist, your main aim is to have clinical trials as well as to conduct some tests to compare the reaction of potential customers to that of your previous formulations. You need to design pre-formulation studies. By doing this, you can understand the formulation of different types of medical trials performed. You also need to assist in the pharmaceutical formulation to form a great report for the company.
The main skills which are required to become a senior formulation scientist are observational as well as critical thinking skills. You need to have proper report-making skills so that you can research and analyze the data from your formulations and then condense them into important medical documents. You should be able to communicate clearly to your team members so that they can help and assist you in the formulations as well as develop different ideas.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Senior formulation scientists and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Formulation Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $102,574 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $141,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Exelixis | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between a senior formulation scientist and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Senior Formulation Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Pharmacy | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior formulation scientists' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Senior Formulation Scientist | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |