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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$100K - $160K *

Advance the future of drug discovery by integrating molecular and clinical datasets, utilizing AI-driven insights, and collaborating across functions to enhance research efficiency and impact in the p...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$105K - $135K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in adhesive product development, leading projects from concept to commercialization while collaborating across functions to optimize formulations and troubleshoot...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Elevate clinical research by assisting with study design, medical monitoring, and compliance to ensure effective execution of clinical trials and contribute positively to patient outcomes in alignment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Elevate decision-making by conducting independent cost analyses and developing methodologies to support acquisition processes. Collaborate with leadership to ensure accurate forecasting and resource a...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$131K - $237K *

Unlock potential by leading technical solutions for airborne ISR systems. Collaborate with stakeholders, manage project budgets, and drive innovation in sensor integration while ensuring mission align...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$90K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing employee experiences and operational efficiency. As a People Operations Intern, you'll support recruiting, onboarding, and office functions, gaining hands-on...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Transform the future of obesity therapeutics by leading external innovation efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance preclinical assets and drive scientific excellence in obesity re...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Engage in transformative drug development by providing expert nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology leadership. Collaborate across teams to enhance drug candidate evaluation, regulatory submissions...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Transform healthcare insights into actionable strategies by synthesizing research, conducting assessments, and collaborating with teams to drive client success in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environ...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $300K *

Join a dynamic team as a senior regional leader, driving innovative applied research initiatives. Shape research agendas, lead high-stakes programs, and recruit top talent while maintaining rigorous t...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$159K - $215K *

Unlock potential by leading strategic initiatives and driving product innovation. Collaborate across teams to enhance commercial offerings and ensure operational excellence while mentoring a high-perf...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $140K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of conversational AI by leading the design and development of advanced solutions in the banking sector. Engage deeply in data analysis and experimentation to enhan...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading analytical strategies for drug development, ensuring robust quality control throughout product lifecycle. Collaborate with partners to deliver exceptional insights that dri...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Contribute to transformative technology implementations in regulated environments, driving AI, cloud, and data initiatives. Collaborate with clients and teams to deliver enterprise-scale solutions whi...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$109K - $179K *

Innovate in metabolic disease drug discovery by validating muscle-related targets through advanced in vitro and in vivo studies, while collaborating across teams to drive scientific progress and enhan...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$162K - $195K *

Unlock potential by researching and developing advanced machine learning models that enhance generative AI applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive real-world impact for creati...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $110K *

Partner with us to develop and optimize innovative agricultural formulations, supporting sustainable solutions from concept through testing and scale-up, while collaborating across teams to overcome t...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$131K - $154K *

Champion the future of clinical trial management by overseeing contracts and budgets, ensuring operational excellence, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $121K *

Accelerate your career by providing high-touch IT support to executives, ensuring seamless technology experiences. Collaborate with leadership to proactively resolve issues and enhance operational eff...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative ground software for satellite command and control systems. Collaborate with a skilled team to design, implement, and troubleshoot software solutions in a dynam...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$69K - $99K *

Grow your career with us to support clinical trial execution, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while collaborating with teams to drive innovative medicines from concept to reality...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$107K - $140K *

Transform your career with a dynamic HR Generalist role, delivering comprehensive support across various HR functions. Collaborate with leaders to enhance employee experience, manage compliance, and d...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $105K *

Elevate cancer detection research by leading systematic evidence reviews, mentoring junior staff, and managing projects to inform guidelines. Collaborate with experts to ensure high-quality outputs an...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$141K - $262K *

Drive biotherapeutic innovation as a Principal Scientist, leading a lab team to develop breakthrough protein technologies and advance clinical candidates through collaborative, interdisciplinary resea...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$121K - $182K *

Unlock potential by designing and validating innovative algorithms across diverse domains, enhancing systems in networking, data fusion, and electronic warfare. Collaborate with experts to tackle real...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.