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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$100K - $120K *

Support hands-on engineering education by enhancing laboratory experiences in chemical, environmental, and biological engineering. Collaborate with faculty to develop innovative instructional material...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $115K *

Explore advanced scientific research in defense applications, applying data processing, modeling, and simulation to tackle complex challenges and enhance mission capabilities through innovative soluti...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

Empower frontier AI labs by transforming ambiguous research goals into actionable experiments. Design and execute post-training loops, analyze model performance, and enhance training data quality to d...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$103K - $218K *

Transform military operational planning through advanced social science research. Lead assessments, design methodologies, and deliver insights to decision-makers, enhancing effectiveness in multi-nati...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $170K *

Empower clinical excellence by leading multi-country teams to deliver high-quality clinical trials. Drive operational success through strategic planning, team training, and compliance, ensuring timely...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $175K *

Advance mission integration through innovative systems engineering and architecture design, ensuring robust capability delivery for diverse operational needs in a dynamic defense environment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing cell and gene therapy through hands-on laboratory testing and mentorship. As a Senior Scientist, you'll drive technical excellence and innovation while foster...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Pioneer innovative ink formulations and coating processes, driving advancements in material performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate lab results into practical solutions, enha...

Calgary, ABIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$93K - $183K *

Join us to advance innovative preclinical models for drug discovery. In this collaborative role, you'll integrate cutting-edge technologies and stem cell biology to create scalable, human-relevant mod...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$81K - $87K *

Transform genome editing research by leading innovative projects in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop protocols and analytical strategies that enhance cro...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$93K - $156K *

Drive innovative analytical strategies for pharmaceutical products, contributing to development phases and regulatory submissions while collaborating within a cross-functional team to overcome technic...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $145K *

Unlock potential in immunology by advancing discovery programs through innovative assay development and in vivo pharmacology, driving impactful data generation for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$124K - $231K *

Champion the advancement of Real-World Data strategies, driving evidence generation and influencing critical decisions in digital health and IVD portfolios. Lead complex studies and collaborate with s...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Join a cutting-edge team as a Senior Recruiter, responsible for sourcing and hiring top-tier quantitative researchers and data scientists to fuel innovative AI-driven investment strategies, enhancing...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$81K - $124K *

Empower quality excellence by blending inspection and engineering skills. As a key resource, you'll develop inspection plans, verify production builds, and ensure high standards in a dynamic manufactu...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by spearheading innovative strategies in cyber acquisition and program management. Drive success in command-wide programs while enhancing overall operational effectiveness within the...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$86K - $138K *

Optimize business strategies by delivering key customer insights through comprehensive market research. This role leads diverse studies to enhance organizational knowledge and support marketing initia...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$113K - $232K *

Lead the charge in transforming complex workflows into user-friendly digital products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conduct research, design interactions, and enhance user experiences fr...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$113K - $232K *

Champion user-centered design by leading research and prototyping efforts to create impactful digital products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex workflows into intuitive ex...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$113K - $232K *

Join a team that's redefining digital product experiences through user-centered design. In this senior role, you'll lead research and design efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to creat...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$113K - $232K *

Join a dynamic team to shape user-centered digital products through research, design, and collaboration. Leverage your expertise to influence product roadmaps and enhance user experiences from discove...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$113K - $232K *

Champion user-centered design by leading research and prototyping efforts to transform complex workflows into intuitive digital experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence produc...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$98K - $165K *

Lead the charge in shaping the future of transportation and major events by managing complex crowd and transport modelling projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions for...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative biosensor technologies as a Senior Scientist, leading the design and optimization of cutting-edge sensor architectures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performanc...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$131K - $196K *

Deliver innovative oligonucleotide solutions while leading product development and technical projects. Collaborate in a hands-on lab environment, empowering teams through mentorship and driving excell...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.