Lead Researcher Jobs
Lead Researcher jobs are open across academic institutions, market research firms, healthcare, technology, and policy organizations, from associate to principal and director level, with specializations in qualitative methods, quantitative analysis, and UX research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address):
220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14620Opening:
Worker Subtype:
RegularTime Type:
Full timeScheduled Weekly Hours:
40Department:
400820 Dept of Biomedical GeneticsWork Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)Range:
UR URG 112Compensation Range:
$70,600.00 - $105,800.00The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities:
Provides scientific, technical, and operational leadership for the High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Core Facility, supporting the development and expansion of the facility as a shared research resource for research and developmental therapeutics. The position independently develops and oversees high-throughput screening assays, experimental methods, workflows, and quality-control standards, leveraging automated instrumentation, compound libraries, and data analysis tools to support drug discovery and translational research. This position serves as a primary scientific and technical resource for principal investigators and research teams across the cancer center, providing expert consultation on HTS strategies while independently managing complex screening projects from assay development through data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.The position leads the day-to-day scientific and technical operations of the HTS Core Facility, including facility workflows, SOPs, equipment and library management, user training and support, quality control, and development of new technologies, screening approaches and services. This position evaluates research needs and developmental therapeutics priorities to establish and expand HTS capabilities, while contributing to facility planning, operational improvement, collaborations, and the growth of the facility’s user base and research partnerships.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Design, develop, and optimize biochemical, cell-based, and phenotypic assays for high-throughput screening, ensuring robustness, sensitivity, and reproducibility across diverse screening platforms.
- Independently plan and execute large-scale high-throughput screens using automated liquid handling systems, plate readers, and other HTS instrumentation, maintaining and applying appropriate quality control standards throughout the screening process.
- Perform comprehensive data analysis including quality control, hit identification, dose-response curve fitting, and statistical analysis using specialized HTS software; interpret screening data and generate clear reports for collaborating investigators.
- Collaborate with principal investigators and research teams to understand scientific goals, provide expert consultation on HTS strategies, and present screening results effectively to diverse audiences.
- Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot sophisticated HTS equipment to ensure optimal performance and adherence to safety protocols; identify and resolve technical issues related to assays, instrumentation, and data analysis workflows.
- Lead and coordinate day-to-day scientific and operational activities of the HTS Core Facility, including scheduling and user access, onboarding and training, billing, purchasing and inventory, library management, SOPs and documentation, and coordination of safety and compliance activities.
- Co-authors or authors publications and may co-present results with Principal Investigator at meetings and/or conferences. Assists in acquiring research funding, including development of specialized grant proposals.
- Stay current with advancements in HTS technologies and methodologies; evaluate and implement new techniques to enhance core capabilities and improve screening efficiency. Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Master's degree and 5 years involving direct assistance to researchers required
- PhD preferred
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Unique skill set – will vary with research project need required
- Demand for specific skill set/research outcomes on a national/international/or corporate basis required
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Certification aligned with critical need preferred
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
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Find Lead Researcher JobsLead Researcher Job Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Science & Research
- Electronics & Hardware
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead researcher jobs.
- 5 or more years of experience designing and leading end-to-end research studies
- Proficiency in qualitative methods such as interviews, ethnography, and usability testing
- Experience with quantitative methods including surveys, statistical analysis, or experimental design
- Ability to present research findings clearly to non-research stakeholders and leadership
- Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field such as psychology, sociology, HCI, or a related discipline
- Experience mentoring junior researchers or coordinating cross-functional research teams
Tips for Your Lead Researcher Job Search
Tailor your resume to methodology
Lead researcher roles are split between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods work. Identify which methodology the posting emphasizes and lead your resume with matching projects, tools, and outputs rather than listing everything you have done.
Show research that influenced decisions
Hiring managers want evidence your work changed something. For each project on your resume, name the decision or product change it drove. Findings that were shelved matter less than findings that were acted on.
Build a research portfolio before applying
Many lead researcher hiring panels ask for a work sample before the first interview. Prepare two or three case studies that show your research question, method selection, analysis, and the recommendation you delivered to stakeholders.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead researcher openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a research presentation round
Lead researcher interviews almost always include a live research critique or a take-home study design exercise. Practice walking through your methodological choices out loud, because panels are evaluating how you think, not just what you produce.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
Before accepting an offer, clarify how research priorities are set, whether you will manage junior researchers, and how findings reach decision-makers. Scope and autonomy vary more across lead researcher roles than titles suggest.
Lead Researcher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead researchers?
Emory University, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and TikTok are hiring the most lead researchers right now, with openings concentrated in California, New York, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially active in technology, healthcare, and policy-focused organizations.
How many lead researcher jobs are remote?
About 74% of lead researcher openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the core work, synthesis, analysis, and reporting, can be done asynchronously. UX and market research roles tend to have the highest remote share, while ethnographic or lab-based research roles are more likely to require on-site presence.
How do you become a lead researcher?
Start by building deep expertise in at least one research methodology, qualitative or quantitative, through project work and independent study. Progress to leading full studies rather than supporting them, then take on cross-functional projects where you present findings to non-research stakeholders. A graduate degree strengthens your candidacy, but a strong portfolio of studies that influenced real decisions carries comparable weight with many hiring panels.
Can you get hired as a lead researcher without much experience?
Getting a lead researcher role without significant experience is difficult, but adjacent experience counts more than a blank resume. Candidates who have led research projects independently, contributed to academic research as a primary investigator, or owned a research workstream inside a product or policy team often qualify even without a formal lead researcher title. Framing your existing work around ownership and decision impact is what moves applications forward.
What does the lead researcher interview process look like?
Most lead researcher hiring processes include an initial screening call, a portfolio or work sample review, and at least one round where you walk through a past study in detail with a research panel. Many employers also include a take-home exercise asking you to design a study for a hypothetical problem. Final rounds often involve a cross-functional interview with product, design, or policy stakeholders who assess how you communicate research to non-experts.
Where can I find and apply to lead researcher jobs?
You can find and apply to lead researcher jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and preferences, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 203+ Lead Researcher Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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