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The differences between senior research associate scientists and postdoctoral scholars 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 scientist and a postdoctoral scholar. Additionally, a senior research associate scientist has an average salary of $72,094, which is higher than the $57,587 average annual salary of a postdoctoral scholar.
The top three skills for a senior research associate scientist include cell culture, cell-based assays and data analysis. The most important skills for a postdoctoral scholar are chemistry, python, and patients.
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Yearly salary | $72,094 | $57,587 |
| Hourly rate | $34.66 | $27.69 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 90,457 | 18,983 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior research associate scientists serve a critical function assisting in the development of research. The senior research associate scientists support ongoing studies that have something to do with biometric identification, anti-drug or antibody detection, and cell functions, especially in our immune system. They should adjust well to fast-paced environments and apply their knowledge to various projects and experiments. They should be adept in doing cell-based experiments, techniques on a molecular level, and flow cytometry. Being detail-oriented and having strong communication skills can also help them become efficient in this field.
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
Senior research associate scientists and postdoctoral scholars have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average salary | $72,094 | $57,587 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $110,000 | Between $41,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior research associate scientist and a postdoctoral scholar in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior research associate scientists' and postdoctoral scholars' demographics:
| Senior Research Associate Scientist | Postdoctoral Scholar | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2% | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |