What does a senior research specialist do?
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 specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior research specialist resumes:
- Manage expanding mouse colony including genotyping.
- Perform sample preparation which includes DNA and RNA extraction, follow by conventional or real-time PCR.
- Gel shifts - looking at the DNA binding to proteins.
- Perform DNA extractions of plant tissue.
- Attend weekly IRB meetings to take meeting minutes.
- Conduct gene cloning; RNA probe labeling and purification.
- Design and perform CTL, Elispot and ELISA assays.
- Perform electrophoresis to verify the presence and purity of the protein.
- Develop marketing tools, such as: brochures, pamphlets, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
- Assist investigators in developing grant ideas, writing proposals, preparing budgets, and preparing IRB applications.
- Develop a novel protocol using lipid extraction techniques and compound separation via GC/MS for soil microbial community identification.
- Participate in a summer research intensive that provide hands-on training in interdisciplinary biomedical laboratory techniques with an emphasis in advance instrumentation.
- Collect tissues including spleen, Peyer's patches, inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes for immunology studies.
- Coordinate animal experiments for several investigators within the immunology group.
- Serve as liaison between outside organizations (including contractors) and NASA.
Senior research specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Senior Research Specialists are proficient in Data Collection, Research Projects, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Research Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Collection, 11%
Coordinate administration, data collection, and production of periodic reports and materials required for academic and non-academic program reviews.
- Research Projects, 9%
Managed coordination and implementation of multiple research projects within the research unit, including budgetary responsibilities.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Provided professional consultation on large data analysis and selection of hits.
- PI, 4%
Coordinate with PI s on the completion of grant funded projects
- Laboratory Equipment, 4%
Researched and recommended purchase of $300,000+ in new laboratory equipment and supplies.
- Research Studies, 3%
Organized and operated the PA Department of Health Substance Abuse Resource Library and Research Studies.
"data collection," "research projects," and "data analysis" are among the most common skills that senior research specialists use at work. You can find even more senior research specialist responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior research specialist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Senior research specialists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyze survey data and produce a visually aesthetic powerpoint presentation to be sold back to the client. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform senior research specialist duties is detail oriented. Senior research specialists responsibilities require that "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." Senior research specialists also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "directed independent, production-oriented research, utilizing genetix state-of-the-art robotics, molecular biology, and microbiological techniques. "
Communication skills. senior research specialists are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior research specialist responsibilities, because "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." A senior research specialist resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "combine experience, communication, and literature review to accomplish research objectives. "
The three companies that hire the most senior research specialists are:
- Johns Hopkins University17 senior research specialists jobs
- 3M Company13 senior research specialists jobs
- Emory Healthcare13 senior research specialists jobs
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Compare different senior research specialists
Senior research specialist vs. Product specialist/sales specialist
A product specialist/sales specialist is responsible for developing sales strategies, ensuring to reach sales targets and customer satisfaction. They typically offer products and services to walk-in clients or reach out to them through calls or correspondence, discuss product specifications, answer inquiries, conduct demonstrations, process payments, and handle issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a product specialist/ sales specialist must conduct research and analysis to identify new marketing opportunities, develop business plans, and plan sales events in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior research specialist are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "research projects," "data analysis," and "pi." On the other hand, a job as a product specialist/sales specialist requires skills like "customer satisfaction," "product knowledge," "product sales," and "pos." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that product specialists/sales specialists earn slightly differ from senior research specialists. In particular, product specialists/sales specialists are 14.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior research specialist. Additionally, they're 9.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior research specialist vs. Research manager
A Research Manager performs research, data collection, and economic, statistical, and demographic analysis. They also determine and implement research and development strategies, policies, and plans.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior research specialist responsibilities requires skills like "research projects," "pi," "laboratory equipment," and "cell culture." But a research manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "market research," "analytics," "quantitative research," and "patients."
Research managers earn similar levels of education than senior research specialists in general. They're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 9.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior research specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Helen Mango Ph.D.
Professor of Geology and Chemistry, Castleton University
Senior research specialist vs. Research project coordinator
Research Project Coordinators take on a lead role in maintaining and creating processes that support the execution of a research project. Their duties include researching governance requirements, preparing for contract bidding, manage budgeting of a project to meet a specified timeline, and present findings of a project to all stakeholders involved. The Research Project Coordinator will also support administrative tasks, including producing corporate reports, organizing committee meetings, and developing a research database to track active milestones achieved.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior research specialist resumes include skills like "research projects," "laboratory equipment," "research studies," and "cell culture," whereas a research project coordinator is more likely to list skills in "patients," "public health," "research study," and "spss. "
When it comes to education, research project coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior research specialists. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 6.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior research specialist vs. Marketing & sales specialist
A marketing/sales specialist is responsible for analyzing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and promotional strategies, evaluating market data trends to identify business opportunities for revenue resources and profitability. Marketing/sales specialists conduct surveys on various social media platforms and other communication mediums to determine consumer demands and public interests. They also coordinate with the senior management to develop efficient program management systems and execute deliverables with the highest customer satisfaction. A marketing/sales specialist meets with potential clients, negotiates contracts, and addresses their inquiries, concerns, and special requests.
Types of senior research specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
