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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$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of AI by developing robust evaluations for frontier models, focusing on privacy and risk assessment. Collaborate with teams to produce trusted insights that guide Meta's strategic dec...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of research recruiting by driving full-cycle hiring for specialized technical teams. Collaborate with leaders to develop strategies, engage top talent, and enhance candidate experienc...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $181K *

Lead the charge in advancing analytical methods for nucleic acid therapeutics. Drive method development and optimization while mentoring junior scientists in a dynamic, collaborative environment focus...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Unlock innovative AI/ML solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, conducting research, and deploying production-grade microservices. Drive impactful projects with ownership and contribut...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Elevate strategic R&D initiatives while leading a diverse team across locations. Drive growth opportunities with key defense and intelligence customers by managing contracts and fostering collaboratio...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$132K - $188K *

Join our dynamic team to drive small-molecule drug development from concept to commercialization. Leverage your expertise in process chemistry to innovate, collaborate, and ensure the successful scale...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Champion cutting-edge inference research by optimizing advanced ML models on Cerebras architecture. Collaborate with experts to enhance performance through innovative techniques like pruning and spars...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower research excellence as you lead complex programs and initiatives, providing strategic oversight and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to drive impactful outcomes in research administr...

1 week ago

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

$84K - $114K *

Drive high-quality lentivirus production by executing scalable protocols, ensuring consistency and efficiency across teams. Collaborate on process optimization and maintain rigorous documentation to s...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $256K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI-driven scientific platforms. You’ll design, build, and optimize backend systems and data infrastructures, collaborating with experts to elevate orchestratio...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $116K *

Drive innovative AI/ML solutions by leading technical execution across diverse projects. Collaborate with teams to transform complex problems into actionable models, ensuring deployment readiness and...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Contribute to the development of advanced software and algorithms for aerospace applications, collaborating with a team to design, test, and deploy solutions that enhance mission systems and support c...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $95K *

Join as a critical team member to manage and enhance productivity platforms, ensuring stability, security, and user satisfaction. Collaborate across teams to drive operational maturity and navigate co...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$85K - $95K *

Empower users by managing and optimizing enterprise productivity platforms, ensuring system stability and user satisfaction through complex troubleshooting and administration of tools like Microsoft 3...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$85K - $110K *

Join a team that delivers comprehensive market research solutions for Fortune 500 clients. Lead diverse projects, nurture client relationships, oversee junior researchers, and integrate actionable ins...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $155K *

Optimize purification processes for therapeutic biologics, collaborating across teams to ensure robust, scalable solutions for clinical and commercial applications. Drive experimental design and data...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $204K *

Innovate AI solutions for legal workflows, transforming complex requirements into scalable, production-ready systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance legal processes and deliver imp...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $204K *

Drive innovation by designing and deploying AI solutions for legal workflows, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create robust systems that enhance efficiency and trust in legal processes...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $204K *

Drive the development of innovative AI solutions for legal workflows, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create robust, production-ready systems that enhance efficiency and trust in legal pr...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$120K - $145K *

Elevate engineering success by driving high-impact cross-functional programs. Own delivery in a dynamic team environment, ensuring alignment and quality while facilitating decision-making and continuo...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$170K - $210K *

Shape the future of protein reagent development by leading innovative workflows, establishing robust production processes, and mentoring a dedicated team to ensure high-quality, reproducible results i...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $231K *

Lead the charge in developing advanced human-relevant in vitro models to support drug discovery and safety evaluation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and implement complex systems...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovation in diagnostic platforms by leading verification and validation efforts. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and drive data-driven decisions, enhancing product performance...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Contribute to the success of analytical operations by managing external and internal testing processes, ensuring high-quality deliverables, and fostering collaboration across teams to support innovati...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join our Foundation AI team to drive research and development of large-scale multimodal models, enhancing personalized health experiences through innovative AI systems that integrate diverse data sour...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer 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.