Post job

What does a staff scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Betsy Smith
What does a staff scientist do

The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.

On this page

Staff scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real staff scientist resumes:

  • Lead efforts to replace a critical radioactive immunoassay with a non-radioactive format to measure clinical samples.
  • Manage clinical sample testing using MSD and ELISA in LIMS, including data review and approval using LIMS.
  • Assist in managing and maintenance of HPLC and Prep-HPLC systems to ensure maximum productivity for the process development group.
  • Manage pediatric dose development project, technology transfer project and alternate API supplier qualification project on budget and on schedule
  • Assist with RNA and DNA extractions from FFPE tissue and blood.
  • Supervise temps performing HPLC assays and validations during development and production campaigns under GMP conditions.
  • Tool used Java and Postgres.
  • Identify, purchase and maintain instrumentation such as NMR, GC, GCMS, HPLC and LCMS.
  • Co-author of TIGR_Madam, a database interface tool for microarray data; the software are written in Java.
  • Support selection of outsource GMP manufacturers.
  • Collaborate with compliance team prioritizing FDA compliance activities.
  • Conduct assay verification and validation studies and draft FDA submission reports.
  • Prepare data and associate documentation for submission to archives under QC guidelines.
  • Gain project planning and management responsibilities for optimizing an on-chip DNA concentration technique.
  • Generate PowerPoint presentations for internal research teams, which aid in discovery project advancement.

Staff scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Staff Scientists are proficient in Data Analysis, Research Projects, and Molecular Biology.

We break down the percentage of Staff Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Analysis, 9%

    Standardized and streamlined data analysis reducing turnaround time to typically less than 1 week enabling quicker prioritization of lead series.

  • Research Projects, 7%

    Adapted quickly to biochemical and immunological-based research projects, utilizing proprietary technology to maximize contributions to company research and objectives.

  • Molecular Biology, 5%

    Established and managed a company-wide core molecular biology facility for DNA sequencing and cloning.

  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 4%

    Established a Next-generation sequencing platform and developed assays for high-throughput genetic analysis using Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM).

  • Statistical Analysis, 4%

    Manipulated large volume of data by merging, updating, documenting and generating statistical analysis and reporting.

  • RNA, 4%

    Used automated DNA sequencing, RNA amplification for differential gene expression studies in T-cell ALL and HPV16 infected cells.

Most staff scientists use their skills in "data analysis," "research projects," and "molecular biology" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential staff scientist responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a staff scientist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a staff scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "coordinate biopsy and clinical studies to support technical claims substantiation and communication. "

Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling staff scientist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." According to a staff scientist resume, here's how staff scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "managed biological samples from 5+ observational studies exploring biomarkers in lupus patients. "

All staff scientist skills

The three companies that hire the most staff scientists are:

Choose from 10+ customizable staff scientist resume templates

Build a professional staff scientist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your staff scientist resume.
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume
Staff Scientist Resume

Compare different staff scientists

Staff scientist vs. Research fellow

A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.

The annual salary of research fellows is $40,118 lower than the average salary of staff scientists.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both staff scientist and research fellow positions are skilled in data analysis, research projects, and next-generation sequencing.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, staff scientist responsibilities require skills like "molecular biology," "project management," "product development," and "pcr." Meanwhile a typical research fellow has skills in areas such as "patients," "immunology," "cell biology," and "python." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Research fellows earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $57,261. On the other hand, staff scientists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $102,260.On average, research fellows reach higher levels of education than staff scientists. Research fellows are 5.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 8.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Staff scientist vs. Laboratory analyst

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Laboratory analyst positions earn lower pay than staff scientist roles. They earn a $49,917 lower salary than staff scientists per year.A few skills overlap for staff scientists and laboratory analysts. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "data analysis," "r," and "pcr. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, staff scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "research projects," "molecular biology," "next-generation sequencing," and "statistical analysis." Meanwhile, a laboratory analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "test methods," "lab equipment," "lims," and "laboratory procedures." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Laboratory analysts earn a lower average salary than staff scientists. But laboratory analysts earn the highest pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $47,806. Additionally, staff scientists earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $102,260 annually.In general, laboratory analysts achieve lower levels of education than staff scientists. They're 6.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 8.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for staff scientists in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Betsy SmithDr. Betsy Smith LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College

Honestly, I think anytime a scientist tries to predict what will be "big" in a few years, they're likely to fail. That said, I think there's a growing interest among consumers for more "green" products, so research into those areas will likely grow. For instance, we might see attempts to develop new plastics that are safer for the environment and humans, perhaps biodegradable. Organic chemistry traditionally uses harsh solvents and chemicals that are difficult to dispose of safely, so there is an effort to find alternatives to these. Analytical chemistry techniques for separating and identifying compounds, like GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), will likely continue to be necessary. CRISPR, the relatively new gene-editing technology, is likely to become even more widely used on the biochemistry side of things.

Staff scientist vs. Postdoctoral research associate

A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.

On average scale, postdoctoral research associates bring in lower salaries than staff scientists. In fact, they earn a $41,156 lower salary per year.staff scientists and postdoctoral research associates both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data analysis," "research projects," and "next-generation sequencing," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from staff scientist resumes include skills like "molecular biology," "rna," "project management," and "product development," whereas a postdoctoral research associate is more likely to list skills in "python," "chemistry," "post-doctoral," and "cell biology. "

Postdoctoral research associates earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $69,999. Staff scientists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $102,260.When it comes to education, postdoctoral research associates tend to earn similar degree levels compared to staff scientists. In fact, they're 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 23.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Staff scientist vs. Professional research assistant

A professional research assistant works under the supervision of primary researchers leading research projects. Research assistants help the main researchers in different tasks supporting research activities. These tasks vary based on research conducted and their field. The assistants prepare the interview questions and provide a results summary. They respond to emails, participate in project meetings, and prepare progress reports. Skills necessary for this job include communication skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, scheduling, and planning.

Professional research assistants average a lower salary than the annual salary of staff scientists. The difference is about $35,739 per year.According to resumes from staff scientists and professional research assistants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "data analysis," "research projects," and "next-generation sequencing. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between staff scientists and professional research assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a staff scientist might have more use for skills like "molecular biology," "c++," "r," and "project management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of professional research assistants require skills like "patients," "professional research," "pi," and "pathogens. "

The average resume of professional research assistants showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to staff scientists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 20.6%.

Types of staff scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs