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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lead User Experience Researcher
$171K - $245K *
Champion user experience by leading quantitative and qualitative UX research. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define success metrics and enhance Cisco Cloud Control's platform journeys, dri...
4 days ago
$158K - $175K *
Develop and lead innovative research initiatives in healthcare, leveraging vast datasets and multidisciplinary collaboration to generate impactful insights and disseminate findings to diverse audience...
4 weeks ago
$127K - $165K *
Join a team that's dedicated to fostering a supportive community for AI researchers. As a Community Manager, you'll build relationships, enhance fellow experiences, and collaborate with teams to ensur...
5 days ago
Principal Scientist - AI-Reasoning for Drug Discovery
$117K - $201K *
Lead the charge in developing an AI-Reasoning platform to transform drug discovery. Collaborate with scientists to harness multimodal data, enhancing decision-making and accelerating therapeutic advan...
Reposted 6 days ago
Strategic Research Initiatives Manager - Gie
$90K *
Shape the future of engineering by leading transformative research programs. Collaborate with faculty and stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives, manage budgets, and promote innovative projects t...
5 days ago
Senior Enterprise Project Manager
$151K - $269K *
Take ownership of complex global programs, translating enterprise priorities into actionable plans while managing diverse workstreams and providing strategic support to senior leadership. Drive succes...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Scientist, Continuous Manufacturing
$90K - $110K *
Lead innovative continuous manufacturing processes, providing engineering support for R&D and ensuring excellence in API development and technical transfers while fostering strong collaborations acros...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Scientist, Continuous Manufacturing
$90K - $110K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of pharmaceutical engineering by providing expert support in continuous manufacturing processes, ensuring timely project delivery and collaboration across teams to...
Reposted 5 days ago
$91K - $163K *
Lead the advancement of oncology research and clinical trials, ensuring high-quality patient care and operational excellence. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive compliance, staff develo...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $115K *
Empower clients by leading cross-functional teams in digital and AI projects, delivering innovative solutions that drive value and enhance user experiences across various industries...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Research
$154K - $227K *
Engage with cross-functional teams to design and optimize LLMs, tackling multimodal data at scale. Drive the full AI lifecycle from research to productization, enhancing performance on specialized har...
Today
$150K - $190K *
Drive quality excellence by establishing robust practices that ensure product reliability and performance. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance testing, documentation, and metrics analysis, f...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive advanced intelligence analysis of foreign WMD programs, leveraging scientific research and interdisciplinary physics expertise to support DoD and USG counter-WMD efforts while conducting indepen...
4 days ago
Research Engineer, Agentic Systems
$125K - $150K *
Champion innovative multimodal solutions by developing advanced ML systems for creative tasks, enhancing agentic capabilities, and integrating complex data for real-world applications in a collaborati...
4 weeks ago
Senior Director, Business Development
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's driving growth in the biopharmaceutical sector by developing strategic business relationships, prospecting new clients, and leading sales initiatives to achieve organizational objec...
Yesterday
Computational and Experimental Scientist
$80K - $200K *
Innovate in AI and biotech by leading computational and experimental efforts in protein design. Drive the design-make-test loop, enhancing models and operational protocols while collaborating with lab...
6 days ago
Strategic Partnerships Manager
$110K - $130K *
Drive strategic partnerships by engaging with crypto/AI builders, building a robust pipeline through outreach and relationship-building, and positioning as the preferred security partner in a dynamic...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $175K *
Manage a team of data operations professionals, overseeing the preprocessing data pipeline for satellite imagery. Leverage your expertise in technical project management and data analysis to support c...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $175K *
Drive your career with a leadership role managing data operations, overseeing complex data pipelines, and ensuring seamless communication with government clients. Leverage your technical expertise to...
3 weeks ago
Senior Clinical Research Director
$236K - $393K *
Join a team that drives innovation in clinical research, leading cross-functional strategies and providing expert medical guidance. You'll mentor staff, collaborate with stakeholders, and oversee the...
Reposted 4 days ago
Principal Scientist, Scientific Workflows & Agentic Cheminformatics
$117K - $201K *
Transform drug discovery by leading innovative cheminformatics workflows, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance decision-making and accelerate scientific advancements in medicinal che...
1 week ago
Principal Scientist, Scientific Workflows & Agentic Cheminformatics
$117K - $201K *
Empower scientific innovation by leading the design and validation of agent-enabled workflows in cheminformatics. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance drug discovery processes and driv...
1 week ago
$130K - $155K *
Transform your career by leading our Governance, Risk, and Compliance program. Drive compliance operations, manage audits, and enhance our GRC platform while collaborating with cross-functional teams...
5 days ago
$89K - $116K *
Shape the future of revenue growth by driving strategic sales forecasting and customer planning. Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize promotions and enhance analytics, ensuring profitable growth...
2 weeks ago
$77K - $91K *
Drive analytical development by executing experiments, interpreting results, and collaborating with peers. Ensure data integrity and maintain lab standards while operating advanced instrumentation in...
3 weeks ago
What does a senior researcher do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.