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by privong 3765 days ago
> What are the differences between postdocs, research assistants, research scientists and visiting scientists?

These are some working definitions, based on my experiences in astronomy:

Postdocs: researchers with a a PhD who generally have fixed-term contracts. Generally these positions are full-time research, though some may include teaching components.

Research assistants: researchers, typically without PhDs, working in a group/lab. This is frequently a synonym for undergraduate or graduate students, or interns. It can also mean people with technical skills who are working in a group/lab but not working towards a degree.

Research scientists: Non-tenure track reseachers, often with PhDs. Their positions may be fixed-term or indefinite.

Visiting scientists: Researchers whose primary affiliation is with another institute. They may be fixed-term visitors (e.g., faculty on sabbatical at another University) or frequent but non-constant visitors of an institution. Their salary is often paid by their primary institute, unless the host institute has provided funding.

1 comments

If I had another lifetime to live, I would pour my heart and soul into astronomy. Life is too short.
> If I had another lifetime to live, I would pour my heart and soul into astronomy. Life is too short.

I know the feeling! Astro is great and I love it. But there's lots of other things I'd love to explore once I figure out galaxies :)