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The differences between senior research fellows 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 research fellow and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a senior research fellow has an average salary of $62,129, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a senior research fellow include python, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Senior Research Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $62,129 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $29.87 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 53,535 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.
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 research fellows and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $62,129 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $95,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Maine |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a senior research fellow and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between senior research fellows' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Senior Research Fellow | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.7% 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% |