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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$111K - $135K *

Develop and commercialize innovative sample preparation and LC-MS/MS solutions, addressing complex biopharma challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive R&D projects and deliver impac...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$115K - $175K *

Unlock potential by leading complex engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while collaborating with diverse teams to mitigate risks and maintain stakeholder relationships...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $190K *

Transform legal research by leading a dynamic AI engineering team to modernize KeyCite. Drive innovation in AI capabilities and backend systems while fostering collaboration across teams to enhance le...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$136K - $156K *

Join a team that's shaping compliance and data privacy strategies, driving policy development, and leading training initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to mitigate risks and en...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Innovate the future of AI by designing memory architectures for LLMs. Collaborate with a dedicated team to advance self-improving intelligence through cutting-edge research, fostering multi-agent effi...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$262K - $364K *

Lead the charge in advancing AI through innovative data science solutions. Utilize your expertise to tackle complex problems, collaborate cross-functionally, and influence product strategies that shap...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your career as a Senior Business Analyst, guiding teams in delivering high-quality executive search solutions. Collaborate on strategic projects, conduct market research, and drive business de...

Montreal, QCIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$95K - $115K *

Explore scientific validation of product safety and efficacy claims through research and analysis, supporting development and collaboration while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Foster...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$69K - $101K *

Drive clinical research initiatives by supporting proposal development, protocol design, and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with investigators to enhance the clinical research portfolio while ensu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the integration and validation of advanced plasma-based sensing systems. Collaborate across disciplines to shape technical documentation and drive system performance in a f...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $105K *

Advance your career by executing high-throughput assays and analytical delivery for biopharmaceutical development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate data that drives candidate select...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$224K - $431K *

Advance AI models and agents for cybersecurity, leading impactful research to enhance security capabilities and collaboration with human defenders, while addressing real-world challenges in detection...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing stem cell manufacturing by developing robust iPSC expansion processes and optimizing bioprocessing workflows on an automated platform, ensuring scalability and reproducibi...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Accelerate clinical research success by managing complex trials, mentoring staff, and ensuring compliance. Drive patient engagement and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across team...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $190K *

Drive high-impact research on language models, shaping AI's future through innovative methodologies and collaboration with top-tier experts. Lead projects from conception to production, enhancing mode...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance AI model performance through innovative data curation, evaluation frameworks, and automated tools. Collaborate across disciplines to translate research insights into pra...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$163K - $245K *

Champion the growth of an AI research team by leading full-cycle technical recruiting. Collaborate with leadership to develop strategies for attracting top talent in a fast-paced environment, ensuring...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$163K - $245K *

Pioneer innovative recruiting strategies for specialized AI talent. Collaborate with leadership to build a high-performing team, driving full-cycle recruitment in a dynamic environment while shaping t...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$167K - $190K *

Lead impactful genomic studies in Oncology, interpreting NGS data to drive biological insights and propose novel experiments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative drug strateg...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$167K - $190K *

Elevate the future of oncology by analyzing NGS data to drive key insights and innovative strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex biological questions while contributing...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Explore the future of web integrity by leading innovative detection systems that distinguish valuable content from spam and manipulation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance search qual...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive innovation by performing complex static analyses for aircraft structures, collaborating with design and fatigue teams to ensure structural integrity and optimize designs, while mentoring junior...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Champion innovative aircraft design by performing complex static stress analyses. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure structural integrity and optimize designs, while mentoring junior en...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in complex static stress analysis for aircraft structures, collaborating closely with design and fatigue teams to innovate solutions. Contribute to various projects, ensuring structura...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$307K - $427K *

Lead the charge in advancing agentic AI research, driving innovation and collaboration across teams to shape the future of AI platforms and infrastructure. Your expertise will guide strategic research...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise 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.