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The differences between senior research specialists and senior research associate scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior research specialist, becoming a senior research associate scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior research associate scientist has an average salary of $72,094, which is higher than the $65,071 average annual salary of a senior research specialist.
The top three skills for a senior research specialist include data collection, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a senior research associate scientist are cell culture, cell-based assays, and data analysis.
| Senior Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $65,071 | $72,094 |
| Hourly rate | $31.28 | $34.66 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 57,586 | 90,457 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 37 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Senior research specialists are professionals who manage a team of junior research specialists that develop objectives and design research projects and proposals. These senior specialists are required to conduct scientific experiments and perform data collection to provide test evaluation and research results. They are required to propose new techniques that could improve the research quality and productivity of the team while assisting in setting up new equipment. Senior research specialists must also develop standard operating procedures while adhering to the company's policies and safety guidelines to ensure safety in their workplace.
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.
Senior research specialists and senior research associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate Scientist | |
| Average salary | $65,071 | $72,094 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $99,000 | Between $46,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | VMware | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a senior research specialist and a senior research associate scientist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between senior research specialists' and senior research associate scientists' demographics:
| Senior Research Specialist | Senior Research Associate Scientist | |
| Average age | 37 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% | Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.2% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |