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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Sourcer, Quantitative Research
$125K - $150K *
Develop and execute effective sourcing strategies to attract top technical talent in Research and Data Science, ensuring a positive candidate experience while driving organizational growth and high hi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $130K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role that involves conducting in-depth research across various topics, delivering actionable insights, and collaborating with a high-performing team to tackle complex q...
3 weeks ago
Senior Scientist, Cell Biology
$131K - $190K *
Empower innovation by leading cell biology research for cutting-edge biopharma technologies. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and validate novel cell-based assays and platforms tha...
4 days ago
Senior Scientist, Cell Therapy Genetic Regulation
$110K - $130K *
Unlock the potential of CAR T cell therapies by leading genetic regulation projects, optimizing gene modulation strategies, and collaborating with diverse teams to enhance therapy efficacy and safety...
Reposted 4 days ago
Staff Research Scientist - (Research Professional 6)
$115K - $140K *
Champion innovative research in personalized neuromodulation to enhance mental health outcomes. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, oversee project milestones, and guide junior researchers while...
Today
Senior Clinical Trial Operations Manager
$100K - $140K *
Engage in impactful clinical trial management, overseeing operations and mentoring teams to ensure quality and efficiency in project execution. Collaborate with leadership to drive improvements and ma...
5 days ago
Applied AI Researcher, AI Systems
$150K - $250K *
Shape the future of AI systems by integrating advanced architectures and enhancing intelligent workflows. Collaborate with a dynamic team to explore complex interactions and drive innovation in enterp...
1 week ago
Applied AI Researcher, AI Systems
$150K - $250K *
Transform complex AI systems by integrating diverse components into robust architectures. Collaborate with researchers to enhance coordination and emergent behavior, establishing design principles for...
1 week ago
Principal Scientist, Bioanalytical Specialist
$175K - $225K *
Join our dynamic team and drive bioanalytical strategies for clinical-stage programs. You'll lead collaborations with cross-functional partners and oversee outsourced bioanalysis, ensuring compliance...
4 weeks ago
Senior Research Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing complex research projects, ensuring operational excellence and collaboration across teams. Drive resource allocation, oversee project phases, and contribute to research met...
2 weeks ago
$132K - $178K *
Optimize user experiences by conducting impactful research that informs product strategy and drives adoption of new offerings. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate insights into action...
2 weeks ago
$81K - $138K *
Create impactful user experiences by conducting in-depth UX research, synthesizing insights, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance services and products for a federal agency's data...
2 weeks ago
$81K - $138K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on enhancing user experiences through human-centered design and research. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive insights that inform produ...
2 weeks ago
Senior Scientist, Machine Learning
$257K - $330K *
Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge generative AI models that integrate biological data, enhancing research insights and advancing our mission to restore cell health and resilience. Collaborate...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Research Associate / Senior Research Associate
$80K - $90K *
Join a dynamic research team to investigate blood cancer and inflammation biology. Collaborate on innovative projects involving animal models and human samples, utilizing advanced techniques in flow c...
1 week ago
Research Associate / Senior Research Associate
$80K - $90K *
Advance research in blood cancer and inflammation by leading experiments, analyzing data, and mentoring staff. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop innovative therapies and contribute to impactf...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower healthcare transformation by leading quality improvement projects and analytics. Drive performance measurement initiatives that enhance service delivery, contribute to strategic interventions...
Reposted today
$110K - $130K *
Inspire impactful change by leading health quality improvement initiatives, managing analytics, and driving performance at both regional and cross-regional levels to enhance behavioral health services...
Reposted today
$109K - $174K *
Lead and execute clinical trials in compliance with regulations and timelines, handling everything from study design to data review. Collaborate with teams to ensure successful project delivery and ad...
Reposted 4 days ago
$109K - $174K *
Drive your career with dynamic clinical research leadership, managing trials and compliance while fostering effective collaboration across teams. Deliver critical insights and enhance medical device d...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Scientist, Protein Sciences
$132K - $142K *
Lead the charge in establishing innovative protein science capabilities to drive the discovery and engineering of therapeutic proteins. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize protein des...
2 weeks ago
Senior Scientist, Safety Assessment and Investigative Toxicology
$66K - $189K *
Transform data into insights as a Senior Scientist, leading toxicology strategy and cross-functional collaboration. Drive regulatory compliance and innovative data visualization to shape drug developm...
Yesterday
Senior Scientist, Safety Assessment and Investigative Toxicology
$66K - $189K *
Innovate analytical strategies to enhance toxicology assessments, ensuring compliance and data integrity. Collaborate across teams to drive project success and influence decision-making through advanc...
Yesterday
$114K - $240K *
Empower teams by managing complex R&D programs, ensuring alignment with contract scopes, budgets, and schedules while fostering collaboration across technical and executive teams to deliver innovative...
2 weeks ago
Senior Research Programmer/Analyst Pharmacoepidemiology
$79K - $115K *
Unlock the potential of healthcare data by developing reproducible analytic workflows. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to analyze large datasets, translating research questions into actionab...
1 week ago
What does a senior researcher do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.