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 - $148K *

Pioneer innovative research in inorganic particle engineering, focusing on surface functionalization and material performance. Collaborate across disciplines to develop advanced materials and translat...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$164K - $205K *

Unlock potential by designing and enhancing cloud infrastructure for scientific computing, ensuring reliability and performance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solu...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $165K *

Drive innovation in enzyme discovery by leading high-throughput biochemical assays. Leverage your expertise in protein biochemistry and enzymology to advance next-gen sequencing technologies and enhan...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$262K - $364K *

Pioneer innovative advancements in large-scale modeling and post-training experience. Collaborate within a dynamic team to drive research, validate hypotheses, and enhance the capabilities of cutting...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing biologics separation methods. Leverage your expertise in analytical development and lifecycle management to support critical projects in a collaborative labor...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing data management and analysis for critical defense operations. You'll support the Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management Division by implement...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $185K *

Unlock your potential by leading enterprise network modernization efforts. Collaborate across teams to design and implement strategies that enhance security and performance, ensuring alignment with ev...

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $190K *

Optimize large-scale multimodal ML training systems for efficiency and scalability. Collaborate with researchers and engineers to enhance performance metrics and drive innovation across thousands of G...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$201K - $373K *

Engineer unified computational workflows that bridge ML models and operational procedures, enhancing drug discovery processes. Collaborate cross-functionally to standardize SOPs and leverage data inte...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by providing scientific support for preclinical and clinical research. Collaborate across departments to manage studies, ensure compliance, and mentor junior staff while enhancing ope...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$124K - $186K *

Join a dynamic team to advance cancer research through innovative experiments focused on receptor tyrosine kinases. Develop and document key findings to drive insights in oncology, contributing to pub...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $167K *

Drive innovative solutions by leading a skilled team to tackle complex information science challenges, prototype cutting-edge algorithms, and engage with customers to ensure mission success in a dynam...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $120K *

Join a team that's shaping human-centered strategies through innovative research and client engagement. Lead projects, mentor junior talent, and drive strategic insights to enhance brand and business...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $350K *

Elevate your career by driving the development of advanced AI models, overseeing pretraining processes, and optimizing training systems to ensure successful outcomes in a collaborative, innovative env...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$187K - $261K *

Transform modem designs into deployable hardware by implementing physical-layer algorithms in C and RTL. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize FPGA performance and ensure accurate signal...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge machine learning systems, create innovative applications, and enhance user experiences. Collaborate in a fast-paced environment focused on impactful results...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Reimagine model efficiency through innovative research in quantization, decoding, and training techniques. Collaborate with engineers to translate cutting-edge methods into production, enhancing accur...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $200K *

Lead the charge in recruiting, developing talent, and enhancing employer branding. This role focuses on improving recruitment processes, creating tailored training, and representing the firm at indust...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in athlete-centric research, analyzing complex data to enhance performance and protection in sports. Collaborate across teams to translate findings into actionable insights, shaping th...

1 week ago

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

$140K - $190K *

Lead a high-performing team to modernize and enhance AI capabilities in legal research. Drive technical strategy, oversee backend systems, and deliver innovative solutions while navigating ambiguity i...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$282K - $444K *

Join a dynamic team to lead clinical development strategies for oncology drugs, overseeing trials and collaborating with experts to drive innovative research in breast cancer treatment and drug develo...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$282K - $444K *

Transform the future of oncology by leading clinical development strategies, managing trials, and collaborating with experts to advance innovative breast cancer treatments and ensure safety and effica...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$282K - $444K *

Help us drive innovative oncology research by leading clinical development strategies, managing trials, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the safety and efficacy of our oncology...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$107K - $153K *

Champion innovative skincare solutions by leading formulation projects, leveraging deep expertise in skin biology and active ingredients. Collaborate globally to drive technical strategy and mentor co...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in data analysis and psychometrics to drive innovative assessment solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance educational outcomes through advan...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

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.