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The differences between technical scientists and postdoctoral research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a technical scientist and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a technical scientist has an average salary of $90,867, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a technical scientist include molecular biology, GMP and data analysis. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $90,867 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $43.69 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 112,408 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Technical scientists and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $90,867 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $125,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Apple | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a technical scientist and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Duke University |
Here are the differences between technical scientists' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Technical Scientist | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 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% |