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.
Principal Scientist, Surface Chemistry
$120K - $188K *
Elevate your career by joining a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative surface chemistries for NGS applications, driving advancements in consumable devices and enhancing biomolecule interaction...
2 weeks ago
Senior Applied Scientist, Frontier AI Tooling
$167K - $226K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI solutions by tackling complex problems, collaborating with stakeholders, and deploying innovative models that enhance business outcomes and customer experie...
1 week ago
$106K - $178K *
Lead strategic ecological initiatives, providing technical guidance and mentorship to enhance project delivery and client relationships across Western Canada. Drive business growth while ensuring comp...
1 week ago
$106K - $178K *
Lead the charge in ecological project management, providing strategic guidance and mentorship while navigating regulatory frameworks. Drive business growth and foster collaboration within a dynamic te...
1 week ago
$106K - $178K *
Shape the future of ecology by leading strategic projects and mentoring a dynamic team. Drive environmental assessments and foster client relationships while navigating regulatory frameworks across We...
1 week ago
$130K - $155K *
Champion the deployment and optimization of robotics systems, bridging research and operations to enhance real-world performance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to define long-term dep...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Generative AI, Research
$174K - $252K *
Pioneer innovative AI accelerator architectures, driving the design of cutting-edge instruction sets and collaborating across teams to enhance performance and efficiency in machine learning applicatio...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering
$100K - $120K *
Pioneer manufacturing excellence by implementing automation solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and profitability while leading capital projects and driving process improvements in a dynamic c...
Reposted 1 week ago
RESEARCHER, AGENTS FOR AUTOMATED DISCOVERY
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of automated machine learning by designing innovative multi-agent systems. Take ownership of research, experimentation, and production deployment, while collaborating with a dynamic t...
2 weeks ago
Senior Research Associate, Histology
$85K - $95K *
Contribute to the development and execution of histology assays on CNS tissue, ensuring accurate quantification and analysis to support gene editing programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams t...
2 weeks ago
Staff UX Quantitative Researcher, Agentic AI Ad Sales
$188K - $274K *
Unlock potential by driving user research initiatives that inform product development, ensuring user needs are met through comprehensive analysis and collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhan...
2 weeks ago
Senior Systems Engineer, Algorithm Development - Effectors
$160K - $250K *
Transform the future of radar technology by designing advanced signal processing algorithms. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance airborne radar systems, ensuring optimal performance a...
3 weeks ago
Principal Scientist, Biologics
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of oncology by leading biologics process development and manufacturing. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and quality in clinical-stage products, while mentoring scientist...
2 weeks ago
$106K - $197K *
Shape operational efficiency by designing and deploying advanced optimization models. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance decision-making processes and drive measurable improvements in...
2 weeks ago
$108K - $170K *
Transform drug development by providing expert in vivo study support and animal care. Collaborate with veterinarians to execute pharmacokinetic studies, ensuring high standards of animal welfare and r...
1 week ago
Research Scientist - Personalization
$133K - $190K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in AI research, focusing on advanced machine learning techniques and personalization systems to enhance user experiences across music and talk content while mento...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Analyst, Manager Research
$117K - $172K *
Join a team that's dedicated to empowering investors through independent research and analysis of funds and investment vehicles. Leverage your analytical skills to contribute to thought leadership and...
Today
Distinguished Scientist. Nonclinical Safety Leader
$164K - $282K *
Unlock innovation in nonclinical safety as you lead diverse teams, providing strategic toxicology expertise across projects, ensuring the safe transition of products from discovery to clinical develop...
Reposted yesterday
Distinguished Scientist. Nonclinical Safety Leader
$164K - $282K *
Unlock potential by leading nonclinical safety initiatives across diverse therapeutic areas. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive drug development from discovery to global registration, e...
Reposted yesterday
Distinguished Scientist. Nonclinical Safety Leader
$164K - $282K *
Elevate pharmaceutical innovation by leading nonclinical safety strategies across diverse projects. Collaborate with talented scientists while ensuring regulatory compliance, driving drug development...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Market Research Manager
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of market research by generating actionable insights that drive commercial success. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze industry trends, customer behavior, and competitive intell...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Advance clinical research on hydration by executing trials, recruiting participants, and ensuring ethical standards. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance athlete performance through innovative s...
1 week ago
Senior Technical Recruiter, AI Research
$160K - $215K *
Partner with us to shape the future of AI research recruiting. Drive strategic hiring initiatives, build relationships in the ML community, and enhance our employer brand while ensuring a high talent...
5 days ago
Senior Technical Recruiter, AI Research
$160K - $215K *
Transform the future of AI recruitment by partnering with research teams to attract top talent. Drive strategic hiring initiatives, build a strong network in the ML community, and enhance employer bra...
5 days ago
Applied Research Engineer/Scientist
$145K - $175K *
Join a team that's pioneering next-gen intelligent architectures, focusing on self-improving systems and personalized multi-agent solutions. Shape the future of machine learning by translating cutting...
3 days 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.