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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$150K - $180K *

Empower innovation in robotics by leading a multidisciplinary team to enhance robot capabilities, translate research into practical applications, and mentor talent while solving complex technical chal...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Transform peptide synthesis processes and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful research projects in a fast-paced environment. Leverage your expertise to innovate and support both...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative manufacturing systems for medical devices, ensuring compliance with industry regulations while optimizing processes from pilot to full-scale production...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$62K - $105K *

Engage in hands-on R&D, executing experiments and processes that drive innovative materials development and advanced manufacturing, while collaborating with engineers and scientists in a dynamic lab e...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $225K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative quantum error correction research. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop algorithms and workflows that enhance quantum technologies, translating sci...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $150K *

Innovate within a dynamic Ink Materials Development Group to create cutting-edge electrophoretic inks. Collaborate with diverse teams to transition projects from feasibility to commercialization while...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading complex commercial real estate due diligence projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide technical guidance and client leadership, ensuring high-quality d...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $150K *

Optimize application development by leading secure, innovative solutions, enhancing existing systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure usability, security, and performance throu...

5 days ago

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

$100K - $145K *

Shape innovative machine learning solutions to meet business objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experience through scalable, secure models. Elevate machine learning pr...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$87K - $137K *

Lead the charge in advancing automated DNA sequencing systems through innovative mechanical design, hands-on prototyping, and rigorous testing to ensure optimal performance and seamless integration in...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $165K *

Join a team that's transforming data into actionable insights through advanced statistical methodologies and machine learning, driving innovation in media measurement and analytics across diverse busi...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$128K - $214K *

Champion user research strategies that shape digital experiences by turning data into actionable insights, collaborating across teams to enhance user engagement and optimize web performance globally...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$75K - $117K *

Lead the design and development of bioanalytical assays, ensuring feasibility and innovation. Collaborate with teams to enhance assay methodologies and provide technical guidance, while adhering to re...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$85K - $128K *

Join a team that's advancing precision oncology through innovative clinical research. Lead operations, enhance patient workflows, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate cutting-edge...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Advance modeling capabilities by developing numerical methods and integrating machine learning. Collaborate with engineers to modernize frameworks and enhance simulation processes through practical so...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$104K - $148K *

Shape the future of user experience research by leading impactful studies that enhance academic content engagement and drive strategic improvements in digital research tools for higher education and l...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Elevate sustainability initiatives by leading client engagements in impact inventory, strategy development, and target tracking. Utilize analytical tools to transform sustainability challenges into ac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's revolutionizing financial market prediction through cutting-edge causal inference research. As a key contributor, you'll develop innovative models and apply machine learning techniq...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Explore your potential as you leverage cutting-edge methodologies in causal inference research within a dynamic finance-focused ML team, driving innovation and collaboration for impactful market predi...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$147K - $210K *

Explore innovative robotics solutions by integrating software and hardware across simulated and physical platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance machine learning applications and streamline robot...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $116K *

Shape the future of semiconductor applications by designing and synthesizing innovative organic molecules. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive research, scale processes, and enhance material perf...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $160K *

Transform business operations by developing innovative software solutions that enhance efficiency across Finance, HR, Accounting, Payroll, and Legal functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to identif...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $160K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative software solutions that enhance business operations across various functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify needs, optimize processes, and impleme...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $200K *

Shape the future of AI solutions by designing, developing, and deploying innovative applications that address complex business problems while adhering to ethical standards and performance metrics...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$122K *

Champion clinical excellence by leading large teams, ensuring strategic alignment, and driving patient recruitment while mitigating risks in clinical operations for successful study execution...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 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.