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The differences between senior research associates, research and development and medical science liaisons 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 research associate, research and development and a medical science liaison. Additionally, a medical science liaison has an average salary of $145,718, which is higher than the $80,872 average annual salary of a senior research associate, research and development.
The top three skills for a senior research associate, research and development include cell culture, sops and GMP. The most important skills for a medical science liaison are patients, medical affairs, and MSL.
| Senior Research Associate, Research And Development | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Yearly salary | $80,872 | $145,718 |
| Hourly rate | $38.88 | $70.06 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 105,206 | 57,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior scientific associate performs professional technician, administrative and managerial research work. They work independently in the sphere of a research department. They do various research projects and coordinate with team members in doing a plethora of experiments. They use computers and laboratories to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and elevated technical evaluation of research experiments. They also play a vital role in preparing development-based reports and writing different proposal to funding agencies. They are key to the review work of research staff and the development of their company.
A medical science liaison (MSL) is a scientific professional who facilitates a working relationship between healthcare companies and leading physicians, researchers, and clinicians. Also referred to as key opinion leaders (KOL), medical science liaisons represent their company to the decision-makers in the medical community as well as to investors and government regulatory agencies. They analyze clinical trends and monitor the scientific literature for new developments in the medical community. Medical science liaisons also prepare medical samples and data to investigate the causes of chronic diseases, pathogens, and toxicity.
Senior research associates, research and development and medical science liaisons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Associate, Research And Development | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Average salary | $80,872 | $145,718 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $109,000 | Between $59,000 And $359,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Jackson, TN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Tennessee |
| Best paying company | SAS Institute | Saint Luke's Health System |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior research associate, research and development and a medical science liaison in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Associate, Research And Development | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between senior research associates, research and development' and medical science liaisons' demographics:
| Senior Research Associate, Research And Development | Medical Science Liaison | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.2% Female, 34.8% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 23.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |