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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$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in pharmaceutical product development, driving formulation and process innovation from early stages to clinical manufacturing. Collaborate across teams to ensure successful project exe...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$70K - $99K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing oncology research by managing regulatory processes for clinical trials. Oversee submissions, mentor staff, and ensure compliance while collaborating with inte...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$193K - $250K *

The Senior Data Scientist - Forward Deployed Engineer will work directly with clients to build and deploy AI-powered solutions, managing projects from scoping to deployment. This hybrid role combines...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$200K - $300K *

Join our team to develop predictive models and trading strategies, leveraging quantitative research and data analysis to identify market opportunities in dynamic prediction markets. Collaborate with t...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in advancing post-training research, focusing on supervised fine-tuning, reinforcement learning, and evaluation metrics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance model capabi...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $172K *

Advance cutting-edge metrology solutions by leading research and development projects, collaborating with partners, and driving innovation in semiconductor measurement technologies...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $172K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge metrology solutions, driving scientific research and collaboration to enhance semiconductor manufacturing technologies and support advanced measurement systems...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $184K *

Champion innovative chemical processes as a Senior Scientist, leading multidisciplinary teams to develop green, cost-effective methods for producing APIs. Engage in hands-on experimentation, data anal...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $220K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of global clinical trials by providing expert legal guidance on commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of legal processes whil...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $220K *

Lead the legal function by managing commercial agreements and advising on compliance. Collaborate with business teams to ensure rapid deal execution while mitigating risks. Drive process improvements...

Johnson City, TNRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$159K - $217K *

Shape the future of intelligent robotics by leading user research to enhance developer tools and interfaces. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex workflows into intuitive exper...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$66K - $148K *

Lead the development and management of reference standards, ensuring compliance and technical integrity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality materials for pharmaceutical ap...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $190K *

Drive innovative algorithm development to transform sensor data into actionable insights, collaborating with engineers to automate experimental protocols and enhance manufacturing intelligence for adv...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Transform the research lifecycle by designing and executing biomechanical studies, enhancing data acquisition, and delivering actionable insights to elevate athlete performance and innovation in sport...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$80K - $100K *

Drive innovation in laboratory settings by executing experiments, analyzing data, and enhancing product development for CMP applications. Collaborate with a team to ensure safety and operational effic...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$118K - $182K *

Champion the seamless execution of automated lab workflows, ensuring operational excellence and quality while leading a dedicated team in a fast-paced research environment. Your leadership will drive...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $229K *

Empower businesses by driving software advisory and implementation services. Collaborate with clients to assess systems, define strategies, and deliver tailored technology solutions that enhance decis...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$134K - $218K *

Champion innovative technology solutions by driving software advisory and implementation services. Collaborate with clients to assess systems, define strategies, and deliver tailored solutions that en...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$112K - $169K *

Advance neuromodulation therapies by leveraging data science and AI to analyze neural datasets, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and translate insights into actionable the...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$107K - $158K *

Engage in impactful clinical research by providing patient care and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate with teams to enhance research operations and staff development while promoting be...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$105K - $120K *

Drive impactful research initiatives by leading complex projects, mentoring teams, and securing new business opportunities. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to deliver high-quality evaluations an...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$102K - $189K *

Champion the development of AI-driven backend systems, transforming innovative concepts into scalable solutions for legal professionals. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product capabilities...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$102K - $189K *

Elevate your career by driving innovative front-end solutions for AI-powered legal products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable, user-friendly interfaces while mentoring fellow...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$102K - $189K *

Shape the future of AI in legal tech by building scalable backend systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions and mentor fellow engineers in a dynamic, fast-paced...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$120K - $145K *

Engage your expertise to lead analytical development for biopharma projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior scientists, and address complex challenges in antibody characterizat...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

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.