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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$110K - $130K *

Transform biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes by leading technical initiatives, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance produ...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$94K - $138K *

Elevate the user experience by conducting impactful UX research, guiding teams through qualitative and quantitative studies, and delivering actionable insights that drive product decisions in a fast-p...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$202K - $310K *

Empower innovation by leading research in AI computing infrastructure. Collaborate with a talented team to translate cutting-edge systems research into impactful products, balancing long-term vision w...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovative research initiatives by managing and guiding R&D projects in compressor and alternative technologies for HVACR applications, ensuring clear goals and collaboration across teams to del...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Unlock the potential of self-directed learning by driving innovative research and engineering in machine learning. Collaborate on cutting-edge projects to enhance large language models and optimize tr...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$81K - $90K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative low-field MRI projects, collaborating with a diverse team of experts. Drive research development, design experiments, and contribute to groundbreaking advance...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$84K - $130K *

Optimize groundbreaking research in organ transplantation by leading software development and analytics efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create impactful healthcare solutions that...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$84K - $110K *

Champion innovative machine learning solutions in healthcare. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop, validate, and deploy models that enhance clinical workflows and improve patient outco...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $180K *

Unlock your potential by developing engineering specifications for oil and gas projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while supporting procurem...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Execute project management strategies to drive research initiatives, ensuring effective collaboration and communication across teams. Manage project life cycles, optimize processes, and enhance outcom...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$116K - $182K *

Empower national security by analyzing and developing cutting-edge cyber security solutions. Collaborate with a skilled team and lead projects autonomously while enhancing your research skills and tec...

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$99K - $198K *

Transform employee engagement strategies by leading data-driven projects, conducting advanced analyses, and delivering insights to enhance workforce performance and satisfaction across diverse organiz...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$99K - $198K *

Join a team that's dedicated to designing and executing innovative employee engagement strategies, leveraging data-driven insights and advanced analytics to drive organizational improvement and client...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$99K - $198K *

Champion employee engagement strategies by leading projects, conducting analyses, and delivering insights. Collaborate consultatively with clients, leveraging technology and your expertise to enhance...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $115K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of genomic research, supporting next-generation sequencing projects. Contribute with your technical skills in library preparation and sequencer operation while coll...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $245K *

Engage in strategic program management to drive innovative R&D initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge wireless technology solutions in defense and industrial se...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$174K - $252K *

Develop robust security solutions to enhance Gemini's AI defenses, focusing on training and deploying advanced safety classifiers. Collaborate within a dynamic team to innovate real-time interventions...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$64K - $183K *

Drive innovation by supporting advanced quantum photonic technologies through research and development. Collaborate with experts to design, fabricate, and characterize optical materials and filters fo...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of AI technology, focusing on scalable production systems. Collaborate with engineers and scientists to design high-performing software and tools, ensuring se...

York, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $140K *

Empower decision-making by executing complex due diligence and risk assessments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide actionable insights and mitigate risks associated with third parties...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $155K *

Optimize portfolio management processes to drive innovation within the Intelligence Community. Collaborate with leadership to establish governance structures and decision frameworks, ensuring rapid ex...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive innovation and efficiency in portfolio management for the Intelligence Community. Leverage extensive program management expertise to establish processes that accelerate capability delivery and e...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $176K *

Join a team that's driving industrialization and readiness for innovative products. Lead cross-functional initiatives to enhance manufacturing efficiency and scalability, ensuring successful productio...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$117K - $176K *

Drive the future of industrialization by leading readiness activities for new products and manufacturing changes. Collaborate across functions to ensure efficient production execution and optimize man...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$117K - $176K *

Lead the charge in industrialization and readiness for new products, ensuring efficient production execution across multiple facilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.