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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$130K - $155K *

Champion innovative technical solutions by guiding engineering teams, conducting design reviews, and enhancing system performance through microservices and containerization. Drive reliability and mana...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Optimize post-training workflows by integrating AI research and ML engineering. Collaborate on data generation, build high-quality environments, and enhance model performance through innovative soluti...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $200K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Intelligence Technical Advisor, providing critical insights and strategic guidance across diverse intelligence programs. Engage with senior leaders and manage impactful...

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of space exploration by leading complex projects from concept to completion. Drive innovation and collaboration while ensuring project success through effective p...

1 week ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Transform project management efficiency by executing best practices across diverse industries, ensuring high-quality service delivery, financial targets, and customer satisfaction through effective co...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $124K *

Lead the charge in delivering impactful scientific software demonstrations and training. Collaborate with diverse teams to address customer needs and enhance bioinformatics solutions, driving innovati...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $170K *

Lead and manage the Prevention and Field Operations Directorate, ensuring alignment with strategic goals in health, safety, and environmental stewardship while fostering collaboration and compliance a...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional client service and managing global healthcare market research projects. Utilize your expertise to enhance client relationships, ensure project success, and dr...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$83K - $116K *

Shape the future of pharmaceutical development by leading analytical projects and supervising a dedicated team. Ensure compliance with industry standards while optimizing processes and methodologies t...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $150K *

Analyze industry data and financial models to enhance stock selection processes. Collaborate with teams, conduct research, and synthesize information to identify trends. Engage with management and exp...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$94K - $176K *

Explore the intersection of law and technology by developing cutting-edge AI solutions for legal professionals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform customer requirements into scalable...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$109K - $203K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of legal AI solutions, designing and deploying innovative software for law firms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful, production-ready sys...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$167K - $260K *

Shape cutting-edge advancements in AI by leading deep reasoning research and driving innovative systems, while collaborating with a dynamic team to create impactful solutions in a fast-paced environme...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $105K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical research by leading negotiations and managing Clinical Trial Agreements. This role ensures timely study startup, effective issue resolution, and ment...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Shape innovative AI/ML initiatives to enhance student engagement and retention. Lead cross-functional teams to develop predictive models and data pipelines, driving measurable outcomes for thousands o...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$167K - $226K *

Join us to lead the development of ML models that personalize advertising for over 100M customers, optimizing engagement and monetization through innovative deep learning and causal inference techniqu...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$128K - $192K *

Transform user insights into impactful product innovations by conducting comprehensive research studies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze data and drive strategic recommendations tha...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$88K - $105K *

Manage lab operations and ensure compliance with protocols and SOPs. Oversee sample processing, staff training, and quality metrics while acting as a liaison between sites and sponsors to facilitate s...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $252K *

Champion security excellence by driving silicon design and verification for open-source projects. Collaborate across teams to enhance system integrity and protect sensitive data while resolving comple...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$103K - $135K *

Advance software development for automotive diagnostics by creating innovative solutions using C++, C#, and Java. Collaborate across teams to enhance product architecture and support hardware integrat...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Champion the advancement of visual storytelling through cutting-edge research and development in computer vision, machine learning, and computer graphics. Collaborate with teams to create innovative a...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in data privacy projects, ensuring patient data is protected while maintaining clinical value. Oversee engagements from assessment to certified delivery, optimizing methods and validat...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $150K *

Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge cyber security tools and techniques. Engage in reverse engineering and exploitation of critical software and hardware systems, contributing to national defen...

Reposted yesterday

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

$145K - $220K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge cyber security tools and techniques, focusing on reverse engineering and exploiting critical software/hardware systems to enhance U.S. defense operations. Collabo...

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$88K - $101K *

Elevate your career by supporting HR operations, enhancing employee engagement, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with teams to manage benefits, conduct orientations, and maintain HR records in a d...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.