I stumbled across a noteworthy thing that answers a question I have
always had regarding the dependence on postdocs over research
associates, and because it was earlier a point of discussion, I felt
some of you would want to know.
These are usually grant-funded positions, and postdoc fringe benefits
cost less on average than would a research associate. For example, at
major research universities, the fringe rates for 2014/2015 are below
(this is all public info). It is obvious that the differential in
these rates would stack up quickly when dealing with millions of
dollars. 1% difference is on $3,000 on a single $300K grant, but add
that up over a few million dollars and you have $50K, and most places
have larger dichotomies than 1%.
University 1
Faculty = 29.2%
Postdoc = 27.9%
University 2
Faculty 33.7%
Regular 46.5% (not sure what this refers too)
Research associate = 23.3%
Postdoc = 15.2%
hourly student = 4%
University 3
Faculty & Monthly Staff = 24.3-26.2% (this includes Research scientists)
Postdocs = 16.9%
PHD students = 9.1%
other students = 7.7%
this is probably why many research offices encourage and many research
scientists choose to use postdocs over non-postdoctoral scientists,
even if the training element is lacking.
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organizations.
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