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Senior scientific associate vs research chemist

The differences between senior scientific associates and research chemists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior scientific associate has an average salary of $81,712, which is higher than the $75,843 average annual salary of a research chemist.

The top three skills for a senior scientific associate include data analysis, assays and FDA. The most important skills for a research chemist are laboratory equipment, method development, and R.

Senior scientific associate vs research chemist overview

Senior Scientific AssociateResearch Chemist
Yearly salary$81,712$75,843
Hourly rate$39.28$36.46
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs8,80853,769
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a senior scientific associate do?

A senior scientific associate works in an administrative department. They conduct research projects and coordinate with team members to run experiments. They perform data analysis, evaluate research experiments, and write reports.

What does a research chemist do?

A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.

Senior scientific associate vs research chemist salary

Senior scientific associates and research chemists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Scientific AssociateResearch Chemist
Average salary$81,712$75,843
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $129,000Between $53,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCMcLean, VA
Highest paying stateWashingtonVirginia
Best paying companyChevronBP America Inc
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalEnergy

Differences between senior scientific associate and research chemist education

There are a few differences between a senior scientific associate and a research chemist in terms of educational background:

Senior Scientific AssociateResearch Chemist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorChemistryChemistry
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Senior scientific associate vs research chemist demographics

Here are the differences between senior scientific associates' and research chemists' demographics:

Senior Scientific AssociateResearch Chemist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 51.0% Female, 49.0%Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 22.2% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between senior scientific associate and research chemist duties and responsibilities

Senior scientific associate example responsibilities.

  • Lead strategic sourcing effort for preparative HPLC with budget USD 100K.
  • Process, analyze and upload HTS data that lead to the discovery of new structural classes of small molecules.
  • Aid in preparations for audits by both EMA and FDA.
  • Provide appropriately characterize GLP grade material for NHP studies perform at NIH.
  • Train and guide new Temps/Interns to perform analytical measurements according to GLP.
  • Design and execute HPLC in-process control (IPC) protocols for detecting api-relate impurities.
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Research chemist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the CDS and LIMS systems for the institute.
  • Manage and record experimental data with lab management software (LIMS).
  • Manage projects involving the development of GC/MS methods, particle collection systems, and Raman spectral database creation.
  • Characterize the particles using SEM, DSC, IR, and UV-Vis.
  • Identify sample structure using microscopy, crystallography, NMR, UV/VIS, GC and AAS.
  • Develop GC & FTIR instrumental methods of analysis to support quality of incoming raw materials to ensure quality of finish products.
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Senior scientific associate vs research chemist skills

Common senior scientific associate skills
  • Data Analysis, 11%
  • Assays, 10%
  • FDA, 7%
  • IND, 5%
  • GLP, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
Common research chemist skills
  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%
  • Method Development, 10%
  • R, 9%
  • HPLC, 5%
  • Analytical Chemistry, 5%
  • Polymer, 5%

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