Validation scientist vs staff scientist

The differences between validation scientists and staff scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a validation scientist and a staff scientist. Additionally, a staff scientist has an average salary of $93,941, which is higher than the $77,661 average annual salary of a validation scientist.

The top three skills for a validation scientist include FDA, chemistry and GMP. The most important skills for a staff scientist are data analysis, research projects, and molecular biology.

Validation scientist vs staff scientist overview

	Validation Scientist	Staff Scientist
Yearly salary	$77,661	$93,941
Hourly rate	$37.34	$45.16
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	48,711	121,054
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a validation scientist do?

A Validation Scientist evaluates and validates products and procedures through the scientific perspective, typically by conducting laboratory tests and experiments. They conduct extensive research and analysis to ensure that products comply with industry standards and specifications, utilizing the research findings to develop solutions and recommendations. They are also in charge of establishing guidelines and test plans, maintaining all procedures while adhering to protocols and regulations. Moreover, a Validation Scientist manages a team of validation staff, working together to reach project goals.

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.

Validation scientist vs staff scientist salary

Validation scientists and staff scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Validation Scientist	Staff Scientist
Average salary	$77,661	$93,941
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $109,000	Between $63,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City	South San Francisco, CA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	AstraZeneca	Etsy
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Technology

Differences between validation scientist and staff scientist education

There are a few differences between a validation scientist and a staff scientist in terms of educational background:

	Validation Scientist	Staff Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Chemistry	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	Duke University

Validation scientist vs staff scientist demographics

Here are the differences between validation scientists' and staff scientists' demographics:

	Validation Scientist	Staff Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%	Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.5% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between validation scientist and staff scientist duties and responsibilities

Validation scientist example responsibilities.

Manage customer complaints investigations using CAPA system.
Develop, implement, and maintain validation procedures according to regulatory requirements/guidelines (GMP, GLP, ICH, USP).
Perform technical writing including documentation of test methods and validation protocols in compliance with FDA regulations.
Audit the GMP labs for inspection readiness.
Conduct investigation process through CAPA system when adverse conditions are find.
Provide front line technical support for document management systems and SQL LIMS.

Staff scientist example responsibilities.

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.

Validation scientist vs staff scientist skills

Common validation scientist skills

FDA, 7%
Chemistry, 7%
GMP, 7%
Data Analysis, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Method Validation, 4%

Common staff scientist skills

Data Analysis, 9%
Research Projects, 7%
Molecular Biology, 5%
Next-Generation Sequencing, 4%
Statistical Analysis, 4%
RNA, 4%

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Validation Scientist
Validation Scientist vs Staff Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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