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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$85K - $135K *

Lead and optimize ecological assessments for diverse transportation projects, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while mentoring junior staff and fostering client relationships across...

Markham, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Elevate your career by leading sourcing strategies and optimizing procurement processes. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive cost savings and enhance supplier relationships while managing a diverse...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$204K - $310K *

Shape the future of AI foundational models by defining roadmap priorities and translating scientific insights into impactful capabilities, driving research into operational excellence while collaborat...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $125K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative enterprise solutions that enhance operational efficiency and drive digital transformation. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver scalable, secure, and maint...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$95K - $125K *

Transform enterprise solutions by driving design, development, and implementation. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate digital transformation while leading b...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$110K - $130K *

Innovate your career with a key role supporting the global launch and technical operations of radiopharmaceuticals, driving compliance, quality initiatives, and collaboration with CDMOs while leading...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing, building, and testing critical missile structures and systems. Deliver innovative solutions by integrating cross-disciplinary expertise while managing costs and ensuring...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$82K - $152K *

Support QA automation efforts by leading test strategy, execution, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Ensure software quality through automated and manual testing while analyzing results f...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing nuclear weapons safety and compliance. As a Senior Program Analyst, you'll leverage your expertise to support critical Navy programs, ensuring operational eff...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $185K *

Lead the development of innovative AI products that empower job seekers with evidence-based coaching and actionable insights, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to shape impactful...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $128K *

Transform vehicle uptime and customer satisfaction by leading a high-performance team. Drive continuous improvement, manage daily operations, and enhance team capabilities through coaching and collabo...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform financial operations by leveraging Workday expertise to enhance reporting, payroll, and planning processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions and drive co...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $235K *

Join a dynamic team to design and deploy AI-driven software solutions, leveraging LLMs and agentic technologies. Lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and shape the future of AI products while...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$180K - $235K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions by designing and deploying LLM-based applications. Lead technical standards, mentor engineers, and collaborate cross-functionally to transform emerging AI capabilities...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$75K - $110K *

Innovate in advanced semiconductor device research by designing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with engineers to enhance performance and safety in a dynamic laboratory environment...

Mississauga, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$140K - $155K *

Pioneer your career in cell therapy innovation by leading method transfers and validations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and drive quality in late-stage clinical develo...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $130K *

Lead the transformation of enterprise applications by leveraging your expertise in NetSuite and related technologies. Collaborate across teams to design scalable solutions, enhance data integrity, and...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $200K *

Join a team that's optimizing procurement processes for high-performance technology. You'll manage vendor relationships, oversee logistics, and enhance workflows, ensuring efficient sourcing and purch...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$204K - $310K *

Join a pioneering team to shape the vision and capabilities of foundational models. Drive impactful research and product development that translates into real-world applications, while collaborating a...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$207K - $300K *

Empower innovation by leading research in generative AI and LLMs. Drive experiments, manage projects, and collaborate with experts to develop cutting-edge solutions that address real-world challenges...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $190K *

Lead the charge in engineering foundations for enterprise AI, collaborating across teams to enhance delivery, reliability, and secure production use of AI technologies, driving innovation and improvin...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $304K *

Analyze advanced materials using computational methods to accelerate discovery and optimization. Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment, integrating physics simulations and AI to guide resear...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$63K - $102K *

Unlock your potential by conducting advanced scientific research, developing innovative methods, and contributing to scholarly publications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive research initiativ...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$63K - $102K *

Advance scientific research by developing innovative methods and technologies. Collaborate on literature contributions and oversee laboratory studies while ensuring efficient project management and co...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$80K - $95K *

Lead a dynamic team in enhancing research services, managing staff, and driving innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of library users while participating in strategic planning and library m...

2 weeks ago

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

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.