Explore Senior Researcher Jobs

Senior researchers lead and advance research programs, turning complex questions into rigorous studies and actionable insights. Browse vetted senior researcher opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more across industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, academia, and life sciences.

What Senior Researchers Do

Responsibilities vary by discipline, but senior researchers commonly shape research agendas, design methodologies, analyze and interpret data, and communicate findings to technical and executive audiences. They may mentor research teams, manage projects and budgets, publish or present results, and partner with product, clinical, policy, or business teams to apply discoveries.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek deep subject-matter expertise, strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, and a record of conducting high-quality research. Depending on the role, qualifications may include an advanced degree, experience with statistical analysis or specialized laboratory methods, proficiency with relevant research tools, and a history of publications, patents, or successful research programs. Clear writing, collaboration, project leadership, and ethical research practices are valuable across fields.

Senior Researcher Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation depends on industry, location, specialization, education, and scope of responsibility. Senior researcher roles can offer competitive salaries, particularly in sectors where advanced technical knowledge and research leadership are in demand. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates explore opportunities aligned with their expertise.

Find Senior Researcher Roles on Ladders

Search senior researcher jobs by specialty, location, and employer to identify roles that fit your career goals. Review each listing for its responsibilities and requirements, then tailor your application to highlight relevant research outcomes, leadership experience, and measurable impact.

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$67K - $101K *

Advance your career by executing experiments and analyzing data to support innovative biomarker measurement projects. Collaborate in a dynamic lab environment, contributing to reagent and assay develo...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of AI by leading advanced research in machine learning, focusing on large language models, optimization, and scalable training systems. Collaborate with talented teams, publish impact...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of internal technology initiatives, conducting impactful user research to shape product strategy and design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver inno...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$178K - $253K *

Innovate solutions by applying advanced research to real-world challenges, leveraging machine learning and software engineering to drive impactful projects from conception to execution while collabora...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$81K - $138K *

Lead impactful research initiatives to combat child labor and human trafficking. Utilize advanced analytical skills to inform policy and enhance global labor standards, while mentoring junior analysts...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of AI evaluation by leading rigorous methodologies, collaborating with engineers, and mentoring teams to ensure accurate assessments that drive product innovation and market standards...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Champion your career by conducting in-depth research and analysis to produce impactful industry insights for top executives in home services, driving strategic decisions and fostering key relationship...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Drive innovation by tackling complex engineering challenges from concept to execution. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create cutting-edge robotic solutions that enhance everyday life, blending res...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform innovative ideas into functional prototypes by blending research and engineering. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle diverse challenges, from motion to sensing, ensuring solutions are...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge ML detection models, transforming research into production-ready solutions. Collaborate with a high-caliber team to architect scalable systems that enhance sec...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $174K *

Champion user-centered experiences by leading end-to-end research initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to uncover insights that drive product strategy and enhance user engagement in a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$139K - $170K *

Drive innovative research in signal processing and HF communications, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex challenges and enhance national security capabilities through advance...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$94K - $144K *

Drive innovative LNP delivery research by executing in vitro and ex vivo studies, developing assays, and collaborating across teams to advance targeted therapies in immunology and neuroscience...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K *

Elevate your career by leading impactful research initiatives, collaborating with diverse teams, and mentoring emerging scientists. Drive innovative studies that enhance understanding of Latino popula...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by leading high-throughput antibody discovery and development in a collaborative environment. Utilize advanced techniques in protein biochemistry, automation, and molecular biology, w...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$145K - $215K *

Unlock potential by leading user experience research initiatives that drive insights and inform strategies across the purchasing journey. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user-centered experie...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$145K - $215K *

Join a dynamic team as a Staff Experience Researcher, uncovering user insights to enhance the checkout experience. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive data-informed decisions and optimize methodolo...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$79K - $127K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing health research through innovative statistical analysis and mentoring. Collaborate with investigators to design studies, prepare publications, and present fin...

Ann Arbor, MIRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $230K *

Empower your career by leading advanced networking and ML systems projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate mission needs into actionable plans, ensuring high-quality, secure, an...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $170K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative multimodal AI systems that enhance immersive audio-visual experiences. Collaborate cross-functionally to transform cutting-edge research into transformative Do...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion the advancement of radiopharmaceutical products by leading analytical method development, process controls, and technology transfers, ensuring compliance and commercial viability from late-st...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $125K *

Unlock potential by analyzing U.S. food regulatory policies, producing insightful content, and collaborating with a dynamic research team to inform industry professionals on emerging trends and regula...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$88K - $134K *

Lead the charge in quality assurance by managing complex projects, mentoring team members, and driving improvements in product performance. Utilize your expertise in protein-based immunoassays to ensu...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead groundbreaking research in AI safety and evaluation, bridging academic rigor with real-world challenges. Drive innovative methodologies and collaborate with top-tier institutions to enhance respo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $190K *

Lead transformative research initiatives in AI safety, bridging academic rigor with real-world challenges. Collaborate with top-tier institutions to develop evaluation frameworks and benchmarks, drivi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a senior researcher do?question toggle

    A senior researcher plans and leads research, selects appropriate methods, analyzes evidence, and communicates findings. Many also mentor colleagues, manage projects, and collaborate with teams that use research results.

  • What qualifications are typically required for senior researcher jobs?question toggle

    Requirements depend on the field. Employers commonly look for substantial research experience, subject expertise, analytical skills, and sometimes a master's degree or PhD. Specialized methods, publications, or team leadership may also be required.

  • How much do senior researchers earn?question toggle

    Pay varies by discipline, employer, location, and experience. Ladders features vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more, including senior researcher opportunities when available.

  • Which industries hire senior researchers?question toggle

    Senior researchers work in areas such as technology, life sciences, healthcare, finance, consulting, government, and academia. Specific job titles and responsibilities differ across industries.

  • How can I find senior researcher jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse senior researcher listings on Ladders and filter opportunities by relevant criteria such as location and specialty. Compare qualifications and responsibilities, and emphasize measurable research impact in your application.