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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$74K - $92K *

Lead complex research projects, manage fieldwork, and mentor staff while authoring reports and publications. Collaborate across teams to analyze data and present findings, driving impactful insights i...

2 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Innovate with a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge clinical AI systems. Blend research and engineering to enhance reasoning, evaluation, and data pipelines, driving improvements in healthcare AI per...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$228K - $423K *

Unlock your potential in aerospace control systems design, collaborating across disciplines to innovate precision mechanisms and advanced navigation algorithms. Join a dynamic team focused on cutting...

Yesterday

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$228K - $423K *

Transform aerospace innovation by designing advanced control systems for precision mechanisms. Collaborate across disciplines to develop cutting-edge guidance and navigation algorithms, ensuring optim...

Yesterday

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Lead the planning and execution of non-clinical studies. Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), while producing reliable scientific outcomes and interfacing w...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's pioneering original research on offensive security agents. Collaborate closely with leadership to design experiments, build evaluation infrastructure, and translate findings into pr...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Transform scientific decision-making by developing advanced learning methods that leverage historical assay data for improved experimental recommendations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$184K - $215K *

Advance research in statistical genetics to uncover therapeutic targets for cardiac and skeletal muscle diseases. Collaborate with diverse cohorts and apply AI/ML methods to translate genetic insights...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $252K *

Explore innovative solutions as a Research Scientist, driving cutting-edge projects in AI and machine learning. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop algorithms and publish findings, imp...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative research projects in AI and ML, shaping the lab's agenda and culture. Collaborate with engineers and experts to drive impactful solutions and publish findings th...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$81K - $130K *

Lead the charge in delivering high-impact market research solutions, managing multiple projects, and fostering client relationships. Coach and elevate team standards while utilizing innovative methodo...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $204K *

Join a team that's redefining AI engineering practices to build cutting-edge legal AI agents. Leverage your expertise to architect and deliver complex systems, ensuring reliability and performance whi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$112K - $168K *

Join a dynamic team to drive innovative cell therapy research, translating complex data into impactful therapies. Collaborate across disciplines to accelerate clinical progress and enhance patient out...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$75K - $100K *

Execute mRNA production workflows, collaborating with scientists to optimize processes and maintain rigorous documentation in a fast-paced lab environment, ideal for early-career scientists eager to d...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$123K - $187K *

Empower innovation by designing and executing assays that enhance protein sequencing technology. Collaborate across disciplines to establish workflows and optimize components, driving advancements in...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$159K - $238K *

Champion the future of machine learning by driving LLM efficiency research and solutions. Leverage your expertise in AI and deep learning to deliver innovative algorithms and models that enhance perfo...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$138K - $165K *

Transform financial services by maintaining and enhancing payments applications and infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless deployment and operational excellence in...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$113K - $120K *

Drive innovative middleware solutions to enhance bank-wide application integration, leveraging expertise in messaging technologies and BI platforms to optimize performance and scalability across diver...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advancing military communications systems through innovative research and program management, ensuring alignment with operational needs and strategic objectives across multiple conc...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $220K *

Transform complex financial disputes through advanced quantitative analysis, managing projects that drive impactful insights in securities litigation. Collaborate with clients and mentor teams to enha...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$207K - $300K *

Transform the future of machine learning by inventing and implementing cutting-edge algorithms and systems. Collaborate across teams to validate AI-generated advancements and drive innovation in next...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$207K - $300K *

Drive innovation in machine learning by inventing and implementing advanced algorithms and systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance AI capabilities, ensuring robust evaluation and deployment of ne...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $110K *

Lead the market research project cycle, from design to delivery, while mentoring junior researchers and fostering client relationships. Drive insights that empower strategic decision-making across div...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$123K - $140K *

Drive product innovation and formulation excellence in medical foods and dietary supplements, optimizing processes and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver scientifically robust and commerciall...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$67K - $105K *

Unlock potential by driving talent research and market intelligence to enhance executive hiring. Collaborate with recruiters to build proactive pipelines and deliver actionable insights that elevate t...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

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.