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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$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

$110K - $130K *

Transform biologics drug discovery by leading antibody engineering campaigns, optimizing therapeutic formats, and collaborating across teams to advance innovative solutions from concept to candidate n...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $110K *

Discover user needs and drive product decisions as a UX Researcher, collaborating with cross-functional teams to conduct research, usability studies, and synthesize insights that enhance user experien...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$113K - $277K *

Contribute to mission-critical logistics research in national defense, leveraging data science and statistical modeling to optimize military resource management and enhance equipment readiness for eff...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's advancing radiopharmaceuticals by leading formulation and manufacturing efforts. Collaborate with experts to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance while driving innovativ...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Champion innovative analytics to drive insightful decisions across our systematic investment platform, collaborating with experts to convert complex data into actionable intelligence and enhance overa...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$109K - $174K *

Drive innovative research in immunology, focusing on immune cell roles in health and disease. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design studies, analyze data, and contribute to therapeutic adv...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $315K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge enterprise language models, leveraging AI and ML expertise to solve complex challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance model performance an...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by leading innovative research in advanced experimental systems. Collaborate across disciplines to drive impactful studies and ensure project alignment with strategic goals in a dy...

3 weeks ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Explore your engineering expertise in designing custom instrumentation and systems. Collaborate on international projects, applying advanced knowledge in electronics, programming, and circuit design t...

3 weeks ago

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

$150K - $250K *

Empower AI safety by leading research on white-box methods, publishing findings, and engaging with the community to improve algorithm alignment and risk management in real-world applications with a fo...

4 weeks ago

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

$160K - $190K *

Advance AI research by designing and executing innovative projects in machine learning, optimization, and generative modeling. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate findings into scalab...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by conducting groundbreaking AI research to enhance ads technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate innovative findings into scalable solutions, driving impactful...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape client success by leading complex consulting projects, integrating diverse workstreams into actionable insights, and driving high-quality deliverables while fostering team growth and managing st...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$220K - $260K *

Elevate your career by leading a team to innovate structural data representation, enhancing ensemble models for broad adoption in structural biology. Collaborate with external partners to integrate cu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Scientist in Oncology Discovery, leading innovative research to develop cutting-edge therapeutics for cancer treatment. Collaborate with experts, drive scientific...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Scientist in Oncology Discovery, leading innovative research to develop cutting-edge therapeutics for cancer treatment. Collaborate with experts, drive scientific...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $224K *

Lead the charge in early-phase clinical trial execution, ensuring compliance and excellence in Immunology programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovative therapeutic development...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $224K *

Shape early-phase clinical trials by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance and excellence in execution. Drive innovative immunology programs from concept to delivery, while mentoring jun...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $224K *

Transform early clinical development by leading innovative trials and strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and excellence in execution, driving impactful results in...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $224K *

Join a team that's redefining early clinical development by leading innovative immunology trials. Drive excellence in execution, compliance, and data quality while mentoring junior staff and collabora...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Champion innovative design and project management for high-profile projects, guiding teams from concept to construction while ensuring quality, budget, and client satisfaction in a collaborative envir...

2 weeks ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Elevate business performance by driving AI and automation initiatives. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize workflows, enhance efficiency, and implement innovative solutions that transform operat...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Drive AI and automation initiatives to enhance business performance and employee effectiveness. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and optimize workflows thr...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving AI and automation initiatives to enhance business performance. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize workflows, implement solutions, and support workforce transformation...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.