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Technical scientist vs assistant research scientist

The differences between technical scientists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a technical scientist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a technical scientist has an average salary of $90,867, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.

The top three skills for a technical scientist include molecular biology, GMP and data analysis. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.

Technical scientist vs assistant research scientist overview

Technical ScientistAssistant Research Scientist
Yearly salary$90,867$62,780
Hourly rate$43.69$30.18
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs112,40888,786
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4138
Years of experience42

What does a technical scientist do?

A Technical Scientist is responsible for using established literature on laboratory techniques and basic scientific experimentation to improve processes and products. Their duties include developing solutions for routine and non-routine problems, evaluating workflow progress against objectives, inspect scientific data, and present laboratory results, and contribute to the implementation of new processes within a team. They must ensure compliance with safe working practice, quality standards, and its relevant environment and risk management system workplace guidelines. A Technical Scientist must have advanced knowledge in data analysis tools such as spreadsheets and have well-rounded communication skills for effective presentation to a wide demographic.

What does an assistant research scientist do?

An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.

Technical scientist vs assistant research scientist salary

Technical scientists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical ScientistAssistant Research Scientist
Average salary$90,867$62,780
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $125,000Between $43,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyAppleUniversity of California
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between technical scientist and assistant research scientist education

There are a few differences between a technical scientist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:

Technical ScientistAssistant Research Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorChemistryBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaHarvard University

Technical scientist vs assistant research scientist demographics

Here are the differences between technical scientists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:

Technical ScientistAssistant Research Scientist
Average age4138
Gender ratioMale, 58.7% Female, 41.3%Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between technical scientist and assistant research scientist duties and responsibilities

Technical scientist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Perform data analysis, GMP documentation and equipment maintenance.
  • Line support expertise of the manufacturing and QC processes for cell controls.
  • Participate in the methods transfer, validation, EP monograph and USP monograph using HPLC analysis of raw materials.
  • Perform HPLC purification of a monoclonal antibody used as a diagnostic reagent.
  • Develop characterization and validation protocols per remediation activities identify after commitment with the FDA.
  • Show more

Assistant research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Lead a group of four employees in optimizing DNA purification technologies for production DNA sequencing.
  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Experience in SAS programming in biomedical research.
  • Prepare salivary samples for Cortisol ELISA assays.
  • Gather and code quantitative and qualitative data using SPSS and Atlas.ti.
  • Standardize assays to elucidate the mechanism of action of lead molecules.
  • Show more

Technical scientist vs assistant research scientist skills

Common technical scientist skills
  • Molecular Biology, 7%
  • GMP, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 5%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
Common assistant research scientist skills
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Lab Equipment, 4%
  • Cell Culture, 4%
  • Chemistry, 4%

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