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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$80K - $95K *

Champion exceptional research outcomes by guiding clients through complex projects. Leverage your expertise in methodology and analysis to deliver actionable insights, while collaborating with cross-f...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Deliver impactful lifecycle marketing strategies to enhance user onboarding, retention, and reactivation. Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize product engagement and drive growth in a fast-paced...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock innovative research by co-designing studies that bridge human and system responses. Collaborate with experts to analyze data, refine methodologies, and contribute to impactful publications in c...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$500K+*

Join a team that's at the forefront of scaling large agent systems, designing and executing experiments to enhance performance and efficiency. Collaborate across disciplines to build robust platforms...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$500K+*

Innovate in the intersection of research and engineering by designing and executing large-scale experiments on agent teams, enhancing performance, and building robust systems for complex problem-solvi...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$500K+*

Unlock potential by designing and executing large-scale experiments on agent teams, enhancing performance and efficiency while building robust systems for reliable operation and insightful evaluations...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$65K - $120K *

Join a team that's pioneering research at the intersection of geriatrics, dementia, and emergency care. Lead innovative projects, manage data analysis, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to enh...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $140K *

Lead the charge in advancing quantitative research on substance use and mental health. Collaborate with diverse partners to enhance treatment quality and health outcomes for vulnerable populations thr...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $100K *

Lead innovative research in statistical genetics, driving advancements in complex traits and disease prediction. Collaborate with a dynamic team to analyze large datasets and mentor emerging scientist...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $200K *

Drive groundbreaking research and development in molecular diagnostics, bridging academia and product commercialization. Contribute to innovative technologies and engage with multidisciplinary teams t...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$144K - $216K *

Empower clinical innovation by leading trials and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive drug development strategies and ensure high-quality deliverables in a dynamic environment...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $250K *

Transform investment insights through independent credit research, driving actionable recommendations and contributing to a high-performing global team managing over $70 billion in assets across diver...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$175K - $267K *

Optimize cybersecurity by leading advanced red teaming projects, developing innovative techniques to emulate cyber threats, and enhancing defense strategies for critical infrastructure and Federal net...

Today

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

$175K - $267K *

Join our team as a Senior Security Researcher to lead innovative red teaming efforts, enhancing cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. Drive advanced research, collaborate with stakeholders, and m...

Yesterday

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

$78K - $156K *

Transform the future of neuromodulation by leading innovative research initiatives that integrate neuroscience, AI, and biomarker discovery to advance next-generation therapies and personalized treatm...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $250K *

Transform the research platform for our AI researcher by building robust backtesting engines, data pipelines, and evaluation tools. Collaborate with engineers and researchers to deliver impactful solu...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a dynamic R&D team to lead chemistry initiatives, ensure deliverables, train staff, and enhance projects through innovative method development and client collaboration. Drive significant impact o...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$127K - $172K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing stability programs for plasma-derived proteins. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, quality, and safety in product development while...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $148K *

Lead the charge in innovative wood protection technologies, managing a team to drive product development from concept to commercialization, while collaborating across teams to meet customer needs and...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Champion high-throughput protein binder screening by leading a skilled team, optimizing protocols, and ensuring quality data delivery. Drive innovation in molecular cloning and library methods while c...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Advance the future of infrastructure resilience by leading innovative research in risk modeling and decision-making. Drive impactful solutions for utilities managing significant capital expenditures t...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$136K - $358K *

Transform the future of geriatrics research by leading innovative studies, mentoring emerging scientists, and securing funding to advance knowledge in aging and palliative care. Collaborate with a dyn...

1 week ago

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

$100K - $151K *

Elevate your career by leading protein expression assays and managing lab staff. Collaborate on assay design, validation, and testing while ensuring quality and efficiency. Build strong client relatio...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $155K *

Drive innovation in automated research systems as part of our R&D team. Work with experts on cutting-edge AI capabilities and contribute to impactful publications in a collaborative environment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Champion the recruitment of top technical talent by leveraging innovative sourcing techniques and building strong client relationships to enhance talent acquisition strategies and drive organizational...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

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.