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Summer research fellow vs graduate research student

The differences between summer research fellows and graduate research students can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a graduate research student has an average salary of $34,658, which is higher than the $32,312 average annual salary of a summer research fellow.

The top three skills for a summer research fellow include summer research, R and cell culture. The most important skills for a graduate research student are lab equipment, laboratory equipment, and python.

Summer research fellow vs graduate research student overview

Summer Research FellowGraduate Research Student
Yearly salary$32,312$34,658
Hourly rate$15.53$16.66
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs55,01158,921
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3744
Years of experience6-

What does a summer research fellow do?

Identifying the research problem is the main work of the summer research fellow. They have the huge responsibility of supervising Summer Research Fellow (SRF), providing the pupil with an electronic copy of the letter so that they can research the academic assignment

What does a graduate research student do?

Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.

Summer research fellow vs graduate research student salary

Summer research fellows and graduate research students have different pay scales, as shown below.

Summer Research FellowGraduate Research Student
Average salary$32,312$34,658
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $50,000Between $19,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Pennsylvania
Best paying company-Capgemini
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between summer research fellow and graduate research student education

There are a few differences between a summer research fellow and a graduate research student in terms of educational background:

Summer Research FellowGraduate Research Student
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaStanford University

Summer research fellow vs graduate research student demographics

Here are the differences between summer research fellows' and graduate research students' demographics:

Summer Research FellowGraduate Research Student
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 48.2% Female, 51.8%Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.2% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between summer research fellow and graduate research student duties and responsibilities

Summer research fellow example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Prepare and run DNA samples.
  • Present results and future studies with PowerPoint.
  • Utilize gel shift assays to quantify the thermodynamics of protein to DNA interactions
  • Present PowerPoint presentation of research project.
  • Analyze data for statistical significance using SPSS and interpret relevant insights.
  • Show more

Graduate research student example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Conduct molecular and cellular biology research techniques including DNA, RNA and protein isolation and analysis
  • Assist in organic chemistry laboratory on synthesis of molecule that behaves as fluorescent switch with cation binding properties
  • Perform Parkinson's psychological test on undergraduate students at UCLA and analyze data using statistical analysis software SPSS.
  • Analyze data using SAS statistical software, and map populations using GIS.
  • Summarize statistics from SAS outputs for USDA research grant investigating WIC and food insecurity.
  • Show more

Summer research fellow vs graduate research student skills

Common summer research fellow skills
  • Summer Research, 8%
  • R, 7%
  • Cell Culture, 6%
  • Literature Reviews, 5%
  • Python, 4%
  • Symposium, 4%
Common graduate research student skills
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
  • Python, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Chemistry, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 5%

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