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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$164K - $190K *

Lead the charge in managing complex DoD acquisition programs, utilizing advanced analytical techniques to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Collaborate with senior management to deliver strategic s...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading program management initiatives for full-spectrum security operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure effective execution of projects, budgets, and strategic commun...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Transform experimental operations by executing complex lab and pilot-scale campaigns. Leverage your expertise in troubleshooting and equipment management to drive product and process development while...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$50K - $500K *

Lead pioneering research efforts to enhance agent reliability and performance. Build a high-impact team, design rigorous experiments, and transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions alongside...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $148K *

Shape the future of qualitative research by leading impactful studies, advising on policy analysis, and fostering partnerships to advance equity in work, education, and health. Drive innovation and co...

5 days ago

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

$80K - $90K *

Engage with a dedicated team to coordinate clinical trials, ensuring compliance and quality care for study patients while fostering collaboration and work-life balance in a supportive environment...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's redefining HR analytics by establishing robust compensation frameworks and data-driven practices, ensuring internal equity and competitive pay structures in a dynamic, tech-driven e...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$121K *

Shape the future of union campaigns by leading research teams, developing strategies, and enhancing research capacity. Collaborate with local and international staff to drive impactful initiatives and...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$207K - $300K *

Engineer innovative research methodologies to analyze AI's societal impact. Collaborate with diverse teams to design experiments, develop metrics, and publish findings that enhance understanding of mo...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by driving the development of RNAi therapeutics through innovative assay design and execution, contributing to preclinical research and advancing therapeutic efficacy assessments in a...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $156K *

Champion cutting-edge high-content imaging solutions to support small molecule discovery and optimization across therapeutic areas, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to translate data into...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $250K *

Help us develop innovative trading signals using machine learning and statistical methods. Collaborate with traders and quants to enhance systematic trading strategies, integrating new data sources an...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$255K - $402K *

Lead and innovate within a Translational Clinical Biomarker team, overseeing strategy and execution for oncology platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive biomarker research from pre...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $200K *

Join a dynamic team to drive innovative quantitative research, enhancing trading strategies and portfolio models through advanced statistical techniques and unique datasets, while managing the full re...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $155K *

Champion groundbreaking in vivo CRISPR screening initiatives and lead innovative genetic research projects that drive therapeutic discoveries through high-throughput functional genomics and advanced t...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$158K - $295K *

Unlock innovative solutions by leading technical teams to develop user-focused products. Drive AI strategy, foster continuous learning, and ensure technical governance while solving complex challenges...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$158K - $295K *

Elevate your career by leading the development of innovative AI-driven tax and accounting solutions. Drive technical direction, mentor engineers, and shape the future of scalable, resilient software e...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$132K - $338K *

Join our team to explore the cutting edge of agentic AI research, transforming innovative concepts into production-grade solutions. Your role will bridge research and engineering, impacting both techn...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Transform advanced AI research into production-worthy implementations by effectively leading innovative projects. Collaborate across teams to create scalable solutions that enhance agents' capabilitie...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Unlock innovation in agentic AI by transforming research into platforms. Collaborate cross-functionally to address client needs and enhance performance through rigorous testing, prototyping, and impac...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Lead the innovation in agentic AI, transforming research into production-ready systems. Collaborate with engineers and researchers to develop and evaluate scalable AI solutions that enhance real-world...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Transform cutting-edge AI research into production-ready solutions while collaborating with engineers and product managers. You'll design prototypes, implement scalable systems, and communicate findin...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Innovate cutting-edge agentic AI systems by turning research insights into robust, production-ready technology. Collaborate with engineers to drive impactful solutions while merging experimentation an...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Join a team that's redefining agentic AI by turning cutting-edge research into production-ready solutions. Collaborate across disciplines to create impactful AI capabilities that are reliable, scalabl...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $338K *

Join a team that's bridging AI research and engineering to transform groundbreaking concepts into reliable, production-ready systems. Drive innovation while collaborating across disciplines to tackle...

Reposted 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.