postdoc and research associate difference

• Defining Postdoc Fellows and Associates

What is the difference between a Postdoctoral Associate and a Postdoctoral Fellow?

Postdocs are appointed with the title Postdoctoral Fellow or Postdoctoral Associate depending on the type and source of funding. MIT Policies and Procedures provides detailed descriptions and requirements for postdoctoral associate and postdoctoral fellow appointments.

The MIT title of Postdoctoral Associate applies to those who are paid a salary by MIT. Their salary is usually charged to a grant or contract secured by their faculty mentor.

The MIT title of Postdoctoral Fellow applies to scholars who receive financial support in the form of a fellowship or stipend, usually from an outside agency, either directly or distributed through MIT on behalf of the sponsor. Typically, fellows are responsible for applying for a fellowship award. 

Federal and state laws, tax regulations, and the way MIT benefits are funded create distinctions between Associates and Fellows. An MIT salary is a payment for services paid through MIT’s payroll system, typically with sponsored funds awarded to MIT. Every salary is subject to withholding taxes and Social Security deductions. In addition, for each MIT salary paid to the employee, a “fringe benefit rate” is charged to the same source of funds as the salary. This rate is negotiated annually with the federal government. The funds collected through this mechanism are used to support the costs of employee benefits. In contrast, a Postdoctoral Fellow’s stipend is considered non-salary support, and is not subject to the fringe benefit rate. Different tax regulations also apply. Because fellows do not contribute to the benefits pool and are therefore not eligible for employee benefits, other arrangements are made for comparable provisions whenever possible.

See the  current F&A, Employee Benefit and Vacation Accrual rates .

See the  Benefits  page for additional information on the differences between Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows.

• Postdoctoral Salary and Benefits
• Faculty Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (FPAC)
• Key Administrative Contacts for Postdocs
• Postdoc Appreciation Week Events
• Information for New Postdocs
• Looking for a postdoctoral position?
• Salary/Funding Levels
• Eligibility
• FAQs for New Parent Postdocs
• Postdoc Time Off Benefits
• Portable Child Care Benefits at MIT
• Tax Information
• Are you Considering a Fellowship?
• From Associate to Fellow
• From Fellow to Associate
• Postdoctoral Mentoring and Advising Toolkit
• Career Services and Resources
• MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD)
• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training
• Resource Fair for Postdoctoral Scholars
• Postdoc Involvement in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Taking a course at MIT
• Teaching at MIT
• Job Searches
• Career Exploration; Academic and Non-Academic Options
• Being an Effective and Well-Balanced Professional
• Presentations Listed Chronologically
• Getting Help & Medical and Stress Management Resources
• Personal Safety
• Transportation and Parking
• MIT Acronyms
• MIT Policies and Procedures
• For Faculty and Staff

What is a Postdoc? Understanding the difference between academic, industry, government and non-profit positions

A postdoc (or "post-doc," "postdoctoral," or "postdoctoral research") fellowship is a training-focused position available to people who have earned a doctorate. Postdoc positions usually act as a stepping-stone between the student experience and the full-time professional experience. For the postdoc appointee, a postdoc position offers in-depth training. For the postdoc institution or organization, a postdoc is a dedicated researcher, with specialized knowledge but flexible to explore other topics, often with lower a financial cost than a permanent employee.

The most common type of postdoc position is a research-focused position at an academic institution, but postdocs also exist in industry, government, non-profit, and other non-academic organizations. Most postdocs are focused on research, but there are also opportunities in specialized areas such as technology transfer and policy at all types of organizations.

Academic postdocs

Academic postdocs tend to be focused on research and the academic experience. A postdoc typically has a higher degree of freedom in determining the direction of their research than a Ph.D. student. Postdocs are often expected to secure grants (as lead principal investigators or collaborators) and teach courses in addition to completing research objectives and publishing results.

Some research groups may offer high-performing Ph.D. students the opportunity to stay at the same institution, even within the same research group. Treat any offer like this carefully! It is an honor to be recognized as such a benefit to the research group, but will you be able to get the training you need if you stay in the same location? Also be aware that many future employers prefer candidates who have taken risks by moving to a new area (mentally, if not physically) and have broadened their area of expertise.

Industry postdocs

Industry postdocs can vary significantly between organizations. Most have a focus on teamwork, while valuing independent thought and development. A postdoc may be viewed as a "stepping stone" position, somewhere between an entry-level position and a higher-value research position... or it could be a distinguished staff scientist position with an opportunity for higher pay. For many organizations, while the postdoc position is a one to two year contract, it can serve as a pathway to a permanent position within the organization. Many industry postdocs offer easier access to state-of-the-art facilities, whereas many academic postdocs only provide access to these facilities through collaborations with other organizations.

Government postdocs

Government postdocs have some similarities with academic and industry postdocs. Like academic positions, there is often an expectation to publish a high number of manuscripts; however, the salary offered may be higher than that of an academic postdoc. There may be fewer opportunities to write external grants, which could be a detriment to any future applications to an academic (especially tenure-track) position. Depending on the organization, there may be fewer opportunities to teach compared to an academic postdoc. Like industry postdocs, government postdocs can act as a stepping stone to a permanent position within the organization and can provide access to state-of-the-art federal facilities.

Non-profit postdocs

Non-profit postdocs can offer a less traditional option with similar benefits to academic postdocs. The focus of a non-profit postdoc can cover any topic, from food scarcity to sports management. There is likely a strong focus on grant writing and collaborative efforts, although possibly fewer opportunities to teach.

Meet some of the ORISE participants who are advancing scientific research and discovery

ORISE administers STEM education programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. The diversity of these programs enables individuals—whether undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, or faculty—to conduct collaborative research with national laboratories or at one of DOE's federal agency partners. Learn about how their research experiences have advanced their academic and professional careers.

Read success stories

Postdoctoral Affairs

Types of appointments.

• Prospective Postdocs

Brown University makes the following types of postdoctoral appointments:

• Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) — A PDRA is normally paid through the University payroll system, is considered an employee of the University, and is eligible for a set of benefits. The majority of postdocs at Brown are PDRAs. Information on benefits, responsibilities, and a full definition of the postdoctoral research associate rank can be found on the  postdoctoral research associates page  of this website.
• Postdoctoral Fellow-NRSA (PDF-NRSA) — A PDF-NRSA is an individual who has received National Research Service Award (NRSA) funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This category includes both those receiving individual F32 fellowships and those receiving support from T32 institutional training grants. Per the terms of the award, PDF-NRSAs are not considered employees of the NIH or the University. Details on benefits and policies concerning PDF-NRSAs can be found here .
• Postdoctoral Fellow-Direct Pay (PDF-Direct Pay) — A PDF-Direct Pay is an individual appointed solely at Brown but paid by an external grant or fellowship that is not directed through the University payroll system. A PDF-Direct Pay is not considered an employee of the University. Details on benefits and policies for a PDF-Direct Pay can be found here .
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) | HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows — A PDRF is considered an employee of the University and is eligible for a set of benefits. This appointment type only applies to recipients of the HHMI Hanna Gray Fellowship . All PDRFs will receive a salary supplement intended to cover the University's portion of an individual insurance premium. Please contact [email protected] for more information if you receive this fellowship.

All types are intended to enhance and support the academic and research development of the appointee. Individuals holding postdoctoral appointments are supervised and mentored by a senior scholar and are guaranteed the freedom to publish. Since these appointments are intended to contribute to career development, they have limited terms. It is important to note that the benefits eligibility and payroll tax deductions are different depending on the appointment type.

Please note that in some fields, "postdoctoral fellow" is a generic term for all postdocs. If you are a postdoctoral research associate in such a field, you are welcome to refer to yourself on your CV or in other venues as a postdoctoral fellow. However, please be sure to specify your actual appointment type when communicating with University Human Resources to ensure you receive accurate information about your benefits.

Last updated: November 8, 2023.

Postdoc and Research Associate Orientation Information

The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) runs orientation sessions throughout the year for postdocs and research associates. This information is intended for new postdocs and research associates and will provide an introduction to and general information about Harvard University, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, postdoc and research associate appointments and benefits, as well as how to settle in at the School and in Boston.

Orientation A yearly orientation session will be held during Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW). For those who are unable to attend the orientation session in person, please be sure to review the material provided on this and corresponding pages.

Biweekly Office Hours The Office of Faculty Affairs provides biweekly office hours either virtually or in-person. We are happy to help answer any questions about your appointment, benefits, upcoming courses and workshops, and career development. Office hours are open to all postdocs and research associates at the School. A schedule of office hours (and workshops) can be found here .

The presentation from the Harvard Benefits Office can be found here .

A Welcome Letter from the Postdoctoral Association (PDA) can be found here .

The Ombuds Office for Harvard Longwood Medical Area is a resource for all postdoctoral fellows and research associates. The office is highly confidential, independent, and informal. The neutral ombudspersons can help explore concerns about: Career Management, Work/Academic Environment, Research, Fair Treatment, Interpersonal Relationships, Harassment, Discrimination, Policies and Requirements, and more. Please visit the Ombuds Office Website for more information.

The Harvard International Office (HIO) is part of the University’s Central Administration and offers services to international students and scholars at Harvard, to minimize the difficulties they may experience both upon arrival and later during their stay. The HIO mission is to provide information on a wide range of topics, including immigration issues (work permits, travel), financial questions, social and cultural differences, and resources at Harvard and in the community. Please visit the HIO office hours page for when Elizabeth Capuano, HIO advisor for the Harvard Chan School, will hold walk-in office hours at the School and the HIO website for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of Faculty Affairs: [email protected] , 617-432-1047 Harvard Benefits Office: [email protected] , 617-496-4001 HIO Representative, Elizabeth Capuano: [email protected] , 617-496-2817 Postdoctoral Association: [email protected]

News from the School

Building a better system for transgender health care

Report calls for regulations around dangerous pathogen research

Melissa Hoffer, Massachusetts' first climate chief, will deliver the May 2024 Convocation speech

Exploring mechanics of cancer progression

Two Fralin Biomedical Research Institute postdoctoral associates awarded American Heart Association fellowships

The awards will help Karthi Sreedevi and Samar Antar advance their academic careers while conducting research related to cardiovascular disease.

Leigh Anne Kelley

19 Mar 2024

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Copy address link to clipboard

Karthi Sreedevi’s research focuses on heart disease — the leading cause of death in the United States. A weakened heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s need for oxygen and nutrients. “My long-term goal is to understand how the heart muscle works efficiently in energy production and functions normally under stress.”

She wants to become a global expert in cardiac glycobiology — the study of carbohydrates, sugar chains, or glycans — and improve the lives of heart disease patients.

Samar Antar is investigating pulmonary arterial hypertension, which affects the lungs and the right side of the heart, and a rare disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition marked by scarring of lung tissues over time. Pulmonary fibrosis can lead to heart failure and other lung diseases.

The two early career scientists at Virginia Tech were awarded American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowships for two years. The competitive fellowships help support academic trainees conducting cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or brain health research.

The scientists will receive stipends for their work under the mentorship of world class health researchers at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

Sreedevi joined Junco Warren ’s lab in December 2021. Warren is an assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute whose research interest focuses on metabolic reprogramming in heart failure. “Dr. Warren’s mentorship has rapidly developed my leadership of research projects,” Sreedevi said.

Sreedevi, who has two young children, was also awarded the Virginia Tech Research and Innovation Postdoctoral Scholarship and the Graduate Women in Science National Fellowship Honorary award in 2023. The awards provide additional training and support for career development. “I really admire her as a researcher and as a mother,” Warren said. “She’s an excellent postdoc.”

Antar studies the mechanisms that lead to lung fibrosis and inflammation. She was drawn to the field while pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacology, where she was investigating the effect of cancer treatment on fibrosis.

“A normal lung is supposed to be soft and stretchy to help you breathe normally,” Antar said. In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the lungs become stiff and thick. “Over time, these changes make it more difficult for the patients to breathe properly. It’s like trying to blow up a balloon that’s been crumpled and doesn’t want to expand.”

Her research investigates the role of two proteins, Id1 and Id3, in pulmonary fibrosis. She is working in the lab of Yassine Sassi , assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. “Samar is a truly exceptional scientist,” Sassi said. “The American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship will help her to achieve an important milestone in her career path to an independent researcher.”

In this report

• Yassine Sassi , assistant professor, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
• Junco Warren , assistant professor, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

540-526-2002

John Pastor

(540) 526-2222

• Cardiovascular Science
• Center for Vascular and Heart Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
• Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC - top news
• Health Sciences and Technology (Roanoke)
• Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
• Roanoke, Va.
• Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Related Content

Explore Jobs

• Jobs Near Me
• Remote Jobs
• Full Time Jobs
• Part Time Jobs
• Entry Level Jobs
• Work From Home Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

• $15 Per Hour Jobs
• $20 Per Hour Jobs
• Hiring Immediately Jobs
• High School Jobs
• H1b Visa Jobs

Explore Careers

• Business And Financial
• Architecture And Engineering
• Computer And Mathematical

Explore Professions

• What They Do
• Certifications
• Demographics

Best Companies

• Health Care
• Fortune 500

Explore Companies

• CEO And Executies
• Resume Builder
• Career Advice
• Explore Majors
• Questions And Answers
• Interview Questions

Postdoc Research Associate Vs Associate Scientist

The differences between postdoc research associates and associate 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 postdoc research associate and an associate scientist. Additionally, an associate scientist has an average salary of $76,461, which is higher than the $56,259 average annual salary of a postdoc research associate.

The top three skills for a postdoc research associate include data analysis, mouse model and research projects. The most important skills for an associate scientist are chemistry, patients, and cell culture.

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist overview

What does a postdoc research associate do.

Postdoc research associates are professionals who are responsible for assisting postdoctoral researchers in their research after completing doctoral studies. These associates must train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students with their ongoing research projects so that they can be completed on time. They are required to perform data analysis and should prepare scientific and technical reports that will be presented at scientific conferences. Postdoc research associates must also conduct literature reviews on topics such as government policy, economic impact analyses, and scientific journal articles.

What does an associate scientist do?

An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist salary

Postdoc research associates and associate scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Differences between postdoc research associate and associate scientist education

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

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist demographics

Here are the differences between postdoc research associates' and associate scientists' demographics:

Differences between postdoc research associate and associate scientist duties and responsibilities

Postdoc research associate example responsibilities..

• Achieve a best solar-matching spectrum and a broadband visible-to-IR absorption profile.
• Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
• Research focuse on understanding how transcription factors and non-coding regulatory DNA interpret Endothelin signaling in vivo.
• Programe in Fortran to simulate models, diagnose problems and examine results.
• Investigate how ATM kinase regulates tumor suppressive function of B56? -PP2A in response to DNA damage.
• Complete a project of conditional knock out mouse model, draft one manuscript on transcription factor function on brain developmental defect.

Associate Scientist Example Responsibilities.

• Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
• Generate crispr knockout STAT1, STAT3 and STAT1 & 3double knockout cell lines.
• Use CRISPR technology to create target knockout cell line.
• Direct ISO 9000 4.10 team registration activities and perform internal audits.
• Prepare stock reagents and buffers for use in manufacturing assay kits.
• Confirm the quality of product meet specifications according to cGMP and ICH guidelines.

Postdoc research associate vs associate scientist skills

• Data Analysis, 9%
• Mouse Model, 8%
• Research Projects, 8%
• Chemistry, 7%
• Cell Culture, 6%
• Chemistry, 9%
• Patients, 8%
• Cell Culture, 5%
• Data Analysis, 5%
• Lab Equipment, 3%

Postdoc Research Associate vs. Similar Jobs

• Postdoc Research Associate vs Research Fellow
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Doctoral Research Assistant
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Research Scientist
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Assistant Research Scientist
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Associate Scientist
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Senior Research Fellow
• Postdoc Research Associate vs PHD Researcher
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Doctoral Fellow
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Researcher
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Fellow
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Scientist
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Senior Scientist
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Postdoctoral Scholar
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Staff Scientist
• Postdoc Research Associate vs Medical Science Liaison

Postdoc Research Associate Related Careers

• Assistant Research Scientist
• Associate Scientist
• Doctoral Fellow
• Laboratory Researcher
• Medical Science Liaison
• PHD Researcher
• Postdoctoral Associate
• Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Postdoctoral Scholar
• Research And Development Scientist
• Research Associate
• Research Fellow
• Research Laboratory Manager
• Research Scientist

Postdoc Research Associate Related Jobs

• Assistant Research Scientist Employment Near Me
• Associate Scientist Employment Near Me
• Doctoral Fellow Employment Near Me
• Fellow Employment Near Me
• Laboratory Researcher Employment Near Me
• Medical Science Liaison Employment Near Me
• PHD Researcher Employment Near Me
• Postdoctoral Associate Employment Near Me
• Postdoctoral Research Associate Employment Near Me
• Postdoctoral Scholar Employment Near Me
• Research And Development Scientist Employment Near Me
• Research Associate Employment Near Me
• Research Fellow Employment Near Me
• Research Laboratory Manager Employment Near Me
• Research Scientist Employment Near Me

What Similar Roles Do

• Assistant Research Scientist Responsibilities
• Associate Scientist Responsibilities
• Doctoral Fellow Responsibilities
• Fellow Responsibilities
• Laboratory Researcher Responsibilities
• Medical Science Liaison Responsibilities
• PHD Researcher Responsibilities
• Postdoctoral Associate Responsibilities
• Postdoctoral Research Associate Responsibilities
• Postdoctoral Scholar Responsibilities
• Research And Development Scientist Responsibilities
• Research Associate Responsibilities
• Research Fellow Responsibilities
• Research Laboratory Manager Responsibilities
• Research Scientist Responsibilities
• Zippia Careers
• Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
• Postdoc Research Associate

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs