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, Imaging Analytics
$117K - $201K *
Join a team that transforms medical imaging AI in oncology trials, delivering actionable insights for clinical development. Lead innovations in quantitative imaging metrics and collaborate with partne...
Reposted 4 days ago
$120K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to drive innovative recruitment processes, fostering talent acquisition and enhancing stakeholder relationships. Your expertise will shape a pipeline of world-class candidates in t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Research Scientist, AI and Economics
$207K - $300K *
Transform the future of economic research by applying advanced methodologies to analyze AI's impact on productivity and labor markets. Drive innovative solutions while collaborating with diverse teams...
4 weeks ago
Principal Consultant - Technology
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's driving impactful change in IT Procurement. As a Principal Consultant, you'll lead global teams, develop strategies, and deliver measurable outcomes while collaborating closely with...
1 week ago
Principal Connectivity Engineer
$255K - $357K *
Lead the architectural vision for advanced connectivity systems in FPV drones, integrating RF, embedded, and electrical design to create robust, field-ready solutions. Collaborate across teams to tran...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Scientist, Toxicology
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in ensuring product safety through expert toxicology evaluations, collaborating across teams to support innovation and compliance. Drive impactful research and engage with external par...
3 weeks ago
$240K - $412K *
Innovate in AI research by designing secure execution environments and generating synthetic data. Collaborate with experts to create benchmarks and enhance multi-step reasoning capabilities in dynamic...
Today
Senior Programmatic Strategist
$100K - $120K *
Empower clients by managing and optimizing programmatic campaigns across platforms. Leverage your expertise to analyze performance data, drive strategic decisions, and collaborate with cross-functiona...
1 week ago
Senior Attack Engineer, External
$206K - $242K *
Transform external attack capabilities by developing scalable workflows and automating reconnaissance processes. Drive innovation in offensive security, mentor teammates, and contribute to a high-impa...
1 week ago
Member of Technical Staff, AI Researcher (New Stealth Startup)
$250K - $400K *
Shape the future of AI by designing evaluation frameworks and feedback systems that enhance model performance. Collaborate across teams to translate research into scalable solutions, driving impactful...
5 days ago
Senior Strategy & Development Analyst
$120K - $161K *
Contribute to strategic growth by analyzing market trends and financial projections. Develop actionable insights for senior management to drive revenue and optimize costs while collaborating with cros...
1 week ago
Research Engineer, Robot Learning
$110K - $130K *
Advance humanoid robotics by developing sim2real RL training pipelines. Optimize robot policies for in-home applications, enhancing performance and speed while modeling physical systems to bridge simu...
4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform program management by leading initiatives that enhance undersea warfare capabilities. Collaborate with Navy stakeholders to ensure successful execution of complex projects while driving stra...
3 weeks ago
Principal Optical Process Engineer
$180K - $225K *
Transform optical alignment processes by developing automated solutions that enhance production efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize systems, ensuring robust, r...
2 weeks ago
$208K - $312K *
Drive the design and integration of intelligent agents, ensuring robust AI orchestration and product delivery. Collaborate across teams to translate advanced AI capabilities into scalable solutions, f...
Today
$87K - $102K *
Elevate your career by leading impactful research initiatives that shape policies and programs addressing food security. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to translate complex data into actionable...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of research by driving innovative solutions and data analysis. Collaborate across teams to enhance methodologies, troubleshoot issues, and communicate insights effectively, all wh...
Reposted yesterday
$130K - $165K *
Champion clinical data management excellence by leading project teams, ensuring compliance, and driving quality deliverables. Collaborate with stakeholders to streamline processes and enhance data int...
1 week ago
$130K - $165K *
Lead clinical data management efforts by overseeing project timelines, ensuring quality deliverables, and facilitating communication among stakeholders. Drive data integrity and compliance while mento...
1 week ago
Clinical Trial Delivery Trainer
$80K - $95K *
Develop and deliver impactful training programs for Clinical Trial Delivery teams, ensuring alignment with regulations and operational needs. Collaborate with leadership and experts to enhance onboard...
2 weeks ago
Clinical Trial Delivery Trainer
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to the development and delivery of training programs for Clinical Trial Delivery, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Collaborate with cross-functional te...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Engage in advanced AI research and model development across text, image, and speech modalities. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver impactful solutions that address complex challenges and drive...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Explore innovative AI solutions by developing state-of-the-art models across text, image, and speech. Collaborate with diverse teams to tackle complex use cases and drive impactful research projects t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive innovation by applying technical expertise to develop new products and technologies. Manage projects from concept to production, utilizing advanced analytical methods and collaborating with cros...
1 week ago
$156K - $204K *
Join a team that's pioneering AI solutions in telecom, transforming concepts into production-ready models. Collaborate with experts to enhance network performance through innovative deep learning tech...
1 week 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.