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What does a senior research associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Betsy Smith
What does a senior research associate do

A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.

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Senior research associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior research associate resumes:

  • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
  • Develop, implement and optimize HPLC and ELISA assays in support of cell line and process development.
  • Provide purification service with rp-LCMS, np- HPLC, and MPLC, as well QC data including UPLC-MS and NMR.
  • Engineer and design a unique CRISPR cloning system for the group.
  • Apply the CRISPR technology to conduct gene editing in human IPSCs.
  • Develop an identity ELISA assay to detect the presence of competing and irrelevant drug products in manufacturing process.
  • Perform compound profiling for lead optimization.
  • Assist in developing capability and training presentations using PowerPoint.
  • Conduct column equivalency study for HPLC analysis of in-process materials.
  • Create robotic friendly paradigm for PCR product characterization and archiving.
  • Design DNA probes for identification of bacterial pathogens for clinical assays.
  • Complete the scheduled assessment of study patients and document data in participant records.
  • Track patients by analyzing statistical data and report their results to project director.
  • Provide competitive intelligence analysis through the identification and quantification of enzymes in competitor products.
  • Conduct thorough investigation of biological tissue using techniques such as electrophoresis, immunoassay and molecular biological techniques.

Senior research associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Senior Research Associates are proficient in Patients, Data Analysis, and CRISPR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.

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

  • Patients, 9%

    Completed the scheduled assessment of study patients and documented data in participant records.

  • Data Analysis, 6%

    Introduced a novel method for result analysis that utilized an in-house data analysis program, providing increased depth in data generated.

  • CRISPR, 6%

    Design CRISPR alleles and isolate injected fly lineages with anticipated mutations.

  • Molecular Biology, 5%

    Collaborated on planning, designing, and executing experimentation as well as manuscript preparation; optimized molecular biology methodologies as required.

  • Cell Culture, 5%

    Designed and executed experiments to optimize media formulations and cell culture conditions to increase productivity.

  • Flow Cytometry, 4%

    Managed the Inflammation Flow Cytometry Facility.

Common skills that a senior research associate uses to do their job include "patients," "data analysis," and "crispr." You can find details on the most important senior research associate responsibilities below.

Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior research associate to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "natural sciences managers lead research teams and therefore need to work well with others in order to reach common goals." Additionally, a senior research associate resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "developed excellent interpersonal skills by interacting with various departments within the research facility. "

Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior research associate duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "natural sciences managers must be able to organize, direct, and motivate others." According to a senior research associate resume, here's how senior research associates can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "provided leadership to research associates, research technicians, student and technical assistant level employees within the sequencing group. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior research associates is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior research associate duties, as "natural sciences managers use scientific observation and analysis to find answers to complex technical questions." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed verification, optimization and validation studies using biological samples to prepare automated extraction solution for transfer to clinical laboratory. "

Time-management skills. For certain senior research associate responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "time-management skills." The day-to-day duties of a senior research associate rely on this skill, as "natural sciences managers must be able to perform multiple administrative, supervisory, and technical tasks while ensuring that projects remain on schedule." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior research associates do: "assay development and validation timelines were shortened to anticipate sample arriving at gne. "

Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a senior research associate to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what senior research associates relies on this skill, since "natural sciences managers must be able to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, such as scientists, policymakers, and the public." How this skill relates to senior research associate duties can be seen in an example from a senior research associate resume snippet: "maintained effective communication with participants to ensure seamless, reliable data collection and participant retention. "

All senior research associate skills

The three companies that hire the most senior research associates are:

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Compare different senior research associates

Senior research associate vs. Laboratory manager

Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

The annual salary of laboratory managers is $1,696 higher than the average salary of senior research associates.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior research associate and laboratory manager positions are skilled in patients, data analysis, and crispr.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior research associates and laboratory manager. For instance, senior research associate responsibilities require skills such as "molecular biology," "cell culture," "flow cytometry," and "laboratory equipment." Whereas a laboratory manager is skilled in "lab equipment," "customer service," "chemistry," and "clinical laboratory." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Laboratory managers really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $90,911. Comparatively, senior research associates tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $89,446.On average, laboratory managers reach lower levels of education than senior research associates. Laboratory managers are 10.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 9.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior research associate vs. Staff scientist

The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.

Staff scientist positions earn higher pay than senior research associate roles. They earn a $21,323 higher salary than senior research associates 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 research associates and staff scientists have skills such as "data analysis," "crispr," and "molecular biology. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior research associate responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "excellent organizational," "laboratory equipment," and "powerpoint." But a staff scientist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "c++," "pcr," "technical support," and "java."

On average, staff scientists earn a higher salary than senior research associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, staff scientists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $102,260. Whereas senior research associates have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $89,446.In general, staff scientists achieve lower levels of education than senior research associates. They're 10.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 9.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior research associates 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 research associate vs. Research laboratory technician

Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

On average, research laboratory technicians earn lower salaries than senior research associates, with a $34,310 difference per year.By looking over several senior research associates and research laboratory technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "patients," "data analysis," and "crispr." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

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 research associate resumes include skills like "molecular biology," "rna," "excellent organizational," and "dna," whereas a research laboratory technician is more likely to list skills in "chemistry," "laboratory procedures," "laboratory experiments," and "laboratory techniques. "

Research laboratory technicians make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $42,600. On the other hand, senior research associates are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $89,446.When it comes to education, research laboratory technicians tend to earn lower degree levels compared to senior research associates. In fact, they're 13.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 11.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior research associate vs. Senior scientist

A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.

Senior scientists average a higher salary than the annual salary of senior research associates. The difference is about $34,054 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior research associates and senior scientists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "patients," "data analysis," and "crispr. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior research associates and senior scientists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior research associate might have more use for skills like "cell culture," "data collection," "laboratory equipment," and "cell lines." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior scientists require skills like "c++," "java," "excellent interpersonal," and "synthesis. "

Senior scientists enjoy the best pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $107,016. For comparison, senior research associates earn the highest salary in the government industry.In general, senior scientists hold lower degree levels compared to senior research associates. Senior scientists are 6.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 16.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior research associate

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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