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 - $145K *

Transform vaccine development by leveraging your biophysics expertise to design and execute advanced protein biochemistry experiments, collaborating cross-functionally to drive antigen selection and s...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$207K - $300K *

Accelerate your career as you lead groundbreaking AI research, mentor emerging talent, and drive innovative solutions across diverse projects, shaping the future of technology and contributing to the...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative initiatives in mid-frequency quantitative research and trading, developing predictive models and signals to adapt to market dynamics. Join a collaborative tea...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative solutions in data science for defense production systems. Lead projects, collaborate with Navy sponsors, and synthesize complex analyses to inform strategic decisions while mentorin...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $145K *

Transform complex data science challenges into innovative AI solutions. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance malware detection and reverse engineering techniques while contributing to...

Yesterday

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

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of robotics by developing and deploying high-reliability manipulation policies. Drive innovation from data to model to real-world applications, optimizing for rea...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$64K - $133K *

Engage in complex large-molecule bioanalytical method development, leading scientific studies and collaborating with clients to deliver innovative solutions that support drug development programs...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Elevate your expertise by driving innovation in non-basic refractory products through R&D. Collaborate with global teams to optimize manufacturing processes, enhance product performance, and provide t...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$117K - $184K *

Drive innovation in mRNA Display technologies by optimizing affinity-selection platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team to advance therapeutic discoveries through rigorous experimental design and da...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$147K - $274K *

Empower innovation by leading applied AI research initiatives that shape product features. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex problems into impactful AI solutions, mentoring...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$116K - $146K *

Transform the future of cancer detection by leading innovative research in molecular biology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and execute high-complexity experiments, advancing cutti...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Lead user experience research initiatives to translate findings into actionable UI recommendations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user interactions and document strategies that dr...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $220K *

Grow impactful R&D programs by leveraging expertise in synthetic biology. Collaborate with diverse teams to address challenges in health, security, and bioeconomy, guiding innovative projects from con...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $100K *

Advance research in neurodevelopmental disabilities by leading data analysis, contributing to scientific publications, and mentoring trainees in a collaborative lab environment focused on autism and l...

1 week ago

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

$123K - $149K *

Elevate your career by leading scale-up processes in a dynamic lab environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance bioprocessing technologies and ensure seamless tech transfers for bio...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $222K *

Partner with us to advance human genetics-driven drug discovery, leading innovative projects and teams across multiple disease areas. Utilize your genetic expertise to drive strategic initiatives and...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$139K - $149K *

Drive innovative biomarker strategies by leading image-based analyses and executing preclinical models, collaborating with external partners to advance therapeutic discoveries across multiple disease...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of Air Force training systems by providing expert systems engineering support across the entire lifecycle, ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness while collaborating with d...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$137K - $235K *

Drive innovative AI solutions for autonomous laboratory experimentation, leading the design and validation of advanced models. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance scientific discovery and optimi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Join us in advancing innovative medicine through cutting-edge AI and robotics. As a Senior Principal Investigator, you'll lead the development of autonomous lab systems, enhancing experimental outcome...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Join a team that's pioneering Physical AI for autonomous lab experimentation. Lead the development of innovative AI models and systems that enhance scientific discovery, optimize workflows, and improv...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$74K - $119K *

Innovate laboratory research operations by growing high-purity diamond using advanced CVD techniques. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to synthesize new materials and devices, contributing to...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $100K *

Elevate clinical research effectiveness by leading monitoring visits, ensuring the highest quality standards across diverse therapeutic areas, and facilitating communication between sites and internal...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Advance your career by leading clinical research projects and ensuring compliance with timelines and standards. Collaborate with stakeholders and clinical sites to safeguard subjects' rights and data...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$500K+*

Unlock potential by leading an applied research team, setting priorities, and driving hands-on AI projects. Collaborate with customer labs to enhance model capabilities and deliver impactful research...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

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.