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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$108K - $130K *

Shape the future of construction by overseeing project execution, ensuring compliance, and leading teams. Leverage your expertise to resolve conflicts, maintain records, and drive project success in a...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$71K - $109K *

Engage with enterprise customers as a Senior Technical Support Specialist, providing expert guidance on complex compliance workflows and integrations. Drive resolution of critical issues while ensurin...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $193K *

Innovate data-driven strategies and tools for collections, focusing on Venmo BNPL. Collaborate across teams to enhance customer-centric solutions, leveraging SQL, Python, and AI for actionable insight...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $193K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of advanced data science models. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions, drive best practices, ensure data integrity, and mentor junio...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$113K - $277K *

Reimagine national security research by providing expert analysis and innovative solutions. Collaborate with teams to tackle complex challenges, lead projects, and communicate findings effectively to...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $172K *

Champion innovative bioinformatics solutions to drive vaccine and immune therapy advancements. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to analyze complex datasets, design experiments, and translate i...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$103K - $192K *

Lead the charge in advancing next-gen cell therapies by optimizing iPSC-to-T cell differentiation protocols, driving mechanistic biology discoveries, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams t...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $215K *

Architect innovative solutions to complex technical challenges, driving platform direction and enabling deep specialists. You'll tackle high-leverage problems that define our future capabilities and e...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $120K *

Unlock innovation as a Senior Scientist in Polymer Chemistry, driving research and development of advanced materials for semiconductor applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translat...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Elevate investment strategy by leading manager selection and due diligence for alternative assets, ensuring optimal portfolio construction and client engagement in a dynamic global setting...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$163K - $286K *

Elevate research and innovation by leading a dynamic team, driving strategic initiatives in life sciences. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions and foster creativity for busine...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$174K - $252K *

Engineer innovative safeguards in AI to prevent catastrophic harm. Collaborate with scientists to conduct applied research, develop production code, and ensure safety measures are effective for billio...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$168K - $304K *

Champion the future of AI security by innovating protective technologies for AI models and systems. Collaborate with experts to enhance cybersecurity and contribute to groundbreaking research that sha...

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Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$168K - $304K *

Drive innovation in AI security research by developing advanced technologies that protect AI models and systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address cybersecurity challenges and enhance...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$221K - $387K *

Shape the future of user experience by leveraging AI insights to drive product strategy. Collaborate across teams to translate user behaviors into actionable research, enhancing AI systems and ensurin...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Explore exciting challenges in AI evaluation by developing frameworks and custom validators for cutting-edge machine learning applications. Collaborate to enhance the quality and reliability of AI age...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $252K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of drone technology by developing robust applications for mission planning and control. You'll lead projects from design to production, ensuring seamless integrat...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$111K - $135K *

Join us to develop and commercialize innovative clinical sample preparation products and LC-MS/MS workflows, leveraging your expertise to solve complex analytical challenges and drive new product deve...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative autonomous systems for military and commercial sectors. Lead design, development, and integration of robotic platforms while mentoring junior engineers. Enjoy autonomy in research d...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Inspire innovation by developing cutting-edge cosmetic products, enhancing current formulas, and supervising R&D chemists to ensure quality and efficiency in a collaborative lab environment...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$144K - $175K *

Transform research development by leading proposal coordination and managing a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects. Collaborate with scientists and stakeholders to secure funding and drive impactf...

1 week ago

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

$164K - $282K *

Pioneer innovative R&D strategies in Orthopaedics, driving operational excellence and project execution for Hip and Knee portfolios. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product developm...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$164K - $282K *

Lead the charge in driving R&D excellence for Hip and Knee initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment and operational effectiveness. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance innovation and de...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$129K - $246K *

Drive the technical integrity of development stability studies and reference standards, ensuring compliance and scientific soundness across drug development phases while mentoring teams and influencin...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$89K - $152K *

Elevate scientific integrity by leading peer-review processes and ensuring fair evaluations for federal research proposals. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver credible technical assessments and...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.