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The differences between student research assistants and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a student research assistant, becoming a postdoctoral research associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a postdoctoral research associate has an average salary of $52,785, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.
The top three skills for a student research assistant include lab equipment, student research and data collection. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Student Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $27,475 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $13.21 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 59,758 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A student research assistant is responsible for supporting the school's research department on conducting various research tasks using the techniques and resources provided by the supervising faculty. Student research assistants collect and verify research data, interpret and document findings using research methodologies, organize and prepare research materials, write research reports, and provide recommendations to improve research strategies and techniques. A student research assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and be a fast-learner to interpret data within a specific time.
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.
Student research assistants and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Student Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $27,475 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $37,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a student research assistant and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Student Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between student research assistants' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Student Research Assistant | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 38.1% White, 43.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |