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The differences between visiting researchers 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 visiting researcher and a postdoctoral research associate. Additionally, a visiting researcher has an average salary of $68,912, which is higher than the $52,785 average annual salary of a postdoctoral research associate.
The top three skills for a visiting researcher include python, java and climate. The most important skills for a postdoctoral research associate are python, research projects, and chemistry.
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $68,912 | $52,785 |
| Hourly rate | $33.13 | $25.38 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 14,622 | 59,377 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A visiting researcher is usually a postdoc, assistant, or associate professor who wants to carry out research or perform other professional development activity in an institution, and so they either visit or spend sabbaticals there. Their duties are largely dependent on the institution. However, they may be required to make presentations about your research during their stay. They may also be expected to contribute actively to on-going activities in any of the programs.
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.
Visiting researchers and postdoctoral research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $68,912 | $52,785 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $115,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Memphis, TN |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a visiting researcher and a postdoctoral research associate in terms of educational background:
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Physics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between visiting researchers' and postdoctoral research associates' demographics:
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Research Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 28.3% White, 51.1% 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% |