Senior Level Principal Investigator Jobs
Senior level principal investigator jobs place experienced researchers in charge of study design, grant stewardship, and the scientific teams that deliver results. Openings concentrate across Consulting & Professional Services and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, with 0% remote or hybrid availability, and employers like Westwood Professional Services, LGM Pharma, and Colliers Engineering & Design hiring at this level now.
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Archaeological Principal Investigator
Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an Archaeological Principal Investigator. We are open to a qualified candidate(s) in our Minnetonka, MN; St. Cloud, MN; Appleton, WI; or Madison, WI office. Westwood is a rapidly growing, multi-disciplined engineering, surveying and environmental firm that provides services across the country for the development of land and energy projects. This position offers the opportunity to perform and direct field studies, desktop reviews, technical studies, and project permitting to a variety of private renewable energy and land development clients. The successful candidate will seek opportunities for growth and work on a variety of development projects across the country. We are looking for an individual with enthusiasm about his/her work, and with a strong commitment to client service and technical excellence. This individual will directly oversee and conduct projects in a team environment, supporting existing cultural resource staff at times and working independently at other times. There will be additional emphasis on cultivating new regional clients and business development.
- The successful candidate will have experience with background research, field surveys and technical report preparation. There will also be focus on business development as we grow Cultural Resources services throughout the region.
-
The position requires excellent communication, organizational skills, and the ability to independently conduct project tasks. Typical tasks include:
- Cultural resources file reviews
- Assessing site risk profiles
- Drafting proposals and work plans
- Leading document preparation in a team environment
- Preparing or supervising the preparation of cultural resource technical reports
- Coordinating with clients and sub consultants
- Consultation with federal and state agencies
- Direct supervision of field investigations
Skills and Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Archaeology/Anthropology
- Meets Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in Archaeology
- Prefer but do not require RPA registrant
- Ability to perform cultural resources reviews and become permitted for field investigations in multiple states.
- 10+ years of experience as a Principal Investigator
- 5-10 years of consulting experience minimum
- Knowledgeable in North American archaeology
- Knowledge and experience in the energy market as well as with NEPA, Section 106, and federal, state, and local agencies environmental review processes and requirements
- Experience with state and federal agency and tribal consultation, and excellent reputation within the professional and regulatory communities
- Ability to prepare scopes and costs for projects as part of business development efforts
- Able to manage field technicians to successfully complete fieldwork
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Applicants should be highly self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and perform detail-oriented work
- Demonstrable experience for successful completion of technical reports and research
- Familiarity with GPS and GIS applications and software
- Able to travel for project work on a regular basis (typically 2-10 days per trip). Travel will be a mix of regional and national.
About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)
At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.
Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.
We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.
We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.
We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.
Join us in creating a better world.
In 2024, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #13 and #40, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood one national 1st place award for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #83 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2024. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.
Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Archaeological Principal Investigator
Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an Archaeological Principal Investigator. We are open to a qualified candidate(s) in our Minnetonka, MN; St. Cloud, MN; Appleton, WI; or Madison, WI office. Westwood is a rapidly growing, multi-disciplined engineering, surveying and environmental firm that provides services across the country for the development of land and energy projects. This position offers the opportunity to perform and direct field studies, desktop reviews, technical studies, and project permitting to a variety of private renewable energy and land development clients. The successful candidate will seek opportunities for growth and work on a variety of development projects across the country. We are looking for an individual with enthusiasm about his/her work, and with a strong commitment to client service and technical excellence. This individual will directly oversee and conduct projects in a team environment, supporting existing cultural resource staff at times and working independently at other times. There will be additional emphasis on cultivating new regional clients and business development.
- The successful candidate will have experience with background research, field surveys and technical report preparation. There will also be focus on business development as we grow Cultural Resources services throughout the region.
-
The position requires excellent communication, organizational skills, and the ability to independently conduct project tasks. Typical tasks include:
- Cultural resources file reviews
- Assessing site risk profiles
- Drafting proposals and work plans
- Leading document preparation in a team environment
- Preparing or supervising the preparation of cultural resource technical reports
- Coordinating with clients and sub consultants
- Consultation with federal and state agencies
- Direct supervision of field investigations
Skills and Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Archaeology/Anthropology
- Meets Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in Archaeology
- Prefer but do not require RPA registrant
- Ability to perform cultural resources reviews and become permitted for field investigations in multiple states.
- 10+ years of experience as a Principal Investigator
- 5-10 years of consulting experience minimum
- Knowledgeable in North American archaeology
- Knowledge and experience in the energy market as well as with NEPA, Section 106, and federal, state, and local agencies environmental review processes and requirements
- Experience with state and federal agency and tribal consultation, and excellent reputation within the professional and regulatory communities
- Ability to prepare scopes and costs for projects as part of business development efforts
- Able to manage field technicians to successfully complete fieldwork
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Applicants should be highly self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and perform detail-oriented work
- Demonstrable experience for successful completion of technical reports and research
- Familiarity with GPS and GIS applications and software
- Able to travel for project work on a regular basis (typically 2-10 days per trip). Travel will be a mix of regional and national.
About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)
At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.
Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.
We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.
We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.
We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.
Join us in creating a better world.
In 2024, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #13 and #40, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood one national 1st place award for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #83 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2024. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.
Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
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Senior Level Principal Investigator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level principal investigator job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who have independently led funded research programs, managed multidisciplinary teams, and published in peer-reviewed literature. A strong grant portfolio, demonstrated ability to secure external funding, and experience mentoring junior investigators are the differentiators that move applications forward. Tailoring your CV to show ownership of outcomes, not just participation, is what separates competitive candidates from the rest.
Which companies hire senior level principal investigators?
Companies hiring senior level principal investigators right now include Westwood Professional Services, LGM Pharma, and Colliers Engineering & Design, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a mix of research universities, federal contractors, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, and national laboratories that run large, multi-year programs.
Are there remote senior level principal investigator jobs?
Yes, though availability depends on the nature of the research. About 0% of senior level principal investigator openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements more common in data-heavy, computational, or policy-focused roles than in lab-based or clinical work where on-site presence is required.
What makes a principal investigator role senior level?
Senior level principal investigator roles are defined by independent ownership of a research agenda rather than execution within someone else's program. That means leading hypothesis development, holding primary accountability for study outcomes, securing and managing grant funding, and mentoring early-career researchers. The scope is broader, the decisions carry more weight, and the expectation is that you set direction rather than follow it.
Which industries hire the most senior level principal investigators?
Senior Level principal investigator roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they run long-horizon research programs that require experienced scientific leadership to manage complexity, maintain regulatory compliance, and sustain external funding relationships.