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Senior research fellow vs professor

The differences between senior research fellows and professors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior research fellow, becoming a professor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a professor has an average salary of $157,570, which is higher than the $62,129 average annual salary of a senior research fellow.

The top three skills for a senior research fellow include python, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a professor are philosophy, curriculum development, and mathematics.

Senior research fellow vs professor overview

Senior Research FellowProfessor
Yearly salary$62,129$157,570
Hourly rate$29.87$75.75
Growth rate17%12%
Number of jobs53,53521,861
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4146
Years of experience42

What does a senior research fellow do?

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.

What does a professor do?

A professor is a teaching professional who provides instructions to students on various academic and vocational subjects in colleges, universities, and vocational schools. Professors design curriculums for courses and ensure that they meet college and department students. They continuously conduct research and experiments so that advanced knowledge in their field is completed. They share their research and works by publishing them in books and academic journals. They also provide assistance to graduating students.

Senior research fellow vs professor salary

Senior research fellows and professors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Research FellowProfessor
Average salary$62,129$157,570
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $95,000Between $88,000 And $280,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HISan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleOregon Health & Science University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between senior research fellow and professor education

There are a few differences between a senior research fellow and a professor in terms of educational background:

Senior Research FellowProfessor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorChemistryBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNorthwestern University

Senior research fellow vs professor demographics

Here are the differences between senior research fellows' and professors' demographics:

Senior Research FellowProfessor
Average age4146
Gender ratioMale, 56.1% Female, 43.9%Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.8% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%16%

Differences between senior research fellow and professor duties and responsibilities

Senior research fellow example responsibilities.

  • Lead a project aim at improving DNA yields from various soil types in Dr. Connell's lab.
  • Manage grant base research and submit the grant proposal to ICAR and get approved for fund research.
  • Mentore a graduate student on the following topics: study design, literature reviews, drafting data plans and SAS.
  • Contribute to the creation of new markup standards for scholarship in the humanities.
  • Research unidentify payments and patients.
  • Conduct long-term observations of grind water dynamics and chemistry.
  • Show more

Professor example responsibilities.

  • Used blackboard online to manage students tests, grade papers and assign materials.
  • Instruct students in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, college mathematics, and pharmacology math and dosage calculations.
  • Educate adult students in medical math, anatomy & physiology, business communications ,
  • Teach social science subjects including sociology, psychology and human services.
  • Mentore newly hire philosophy teachers on school culture as well as the program s academic requirements.
  • Prepare and deliver material to students on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious think.
  • Show more

Senior research fellow vs professor skills

Common senior research fellow skills
  • Python, 12%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • C++, 6%
  • Research Findings, 5%
  • Data Collection, 4%
Common professor skills
  • Philosophy, 10%
  • Curriculum Development, 9%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Literature, 5%
  • Graduate Courses, 4%

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