Research Lead Jobs
Research Lead jobs are open across academic institutions, technology, healthcare, market research, and consulting, from senior associate to principal and director level, with specializations in user research, qualitative methods, and data-driven consumer insights. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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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 Research Lead JobsResearch Lead 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 research lead jobs.
- 5 or more years of experience conducting and leading qualitative or mixed-methods research
- Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate usability studies, in-depth interviews, and surveys
- Experience presenting research findings to product, design, and executive stakeholders
- Proficiency with research analysis tools and participant recruitment platforms
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a social science, human-computer interaction, or related field
- Experience building or scaling a research practice, including documentation and repository management
Tips for Your Research Lead Job Search
Tailor your resume to research methods
Hiring managers for research lead roles scan for specific methodologies, ethnography, survey design, conjoint analysis, usability testing. Name the exact methods you've run, not just generic research experience, and tie each one to a concrete outcome your team acted on.
Show cross-functional influence in your portfolio
Research leads are judged on whether their work changed decisions, not just produced reports. Include two or three case studies that show a stakeholder question, your method choice, and the product or business decision your findings shaped.
Target postings by research operations maturity
A research lead at an early-stage company builds the practice from scratch, while one at a mature org manages a team and a repository. Reading the job description for mentions of ReOps, tooling, or existing panels tells you which situation you're walking into.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research lead openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a research critique for interviews
Many research lead interviews include a study critique or live debrief exercise. Practice walking through a published research report and identifying one methodological trade-off and one alternative approach you would have considered given the same constraints.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
Research leads often have more room to negotiate team size, tooling budget, and participant recruitment resources than base salary alone. Come into final-round conversations with a clear picture of the infrastructure you need to do the work you were hired to do.
Research Lead Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research leads?
Emory University, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and TikTok are hiring the most research leads 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 market research consulting.
How many research lead jobs are remote?
About 74% of research lead openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the relatively low need for on-site equipment or in-person facilitation. Fully remote arrangements are most common for research leads focused on digital products and remote usability testing, while in-person or hybrid schedules are more typical for roles that involve physical lab sessions or in-context field research.
How do you become a research lead?
Start by building deep competency in at least two research methods, then actively seek projects where you define the research question rather than just execute a plan someone else wrote. Move into coordination by owning a research roadmap, mentoring junior researchers, and presenting findings directly to decision-makers. A portfolio that shows strategic influence rather than just methodology execution is what distinguishes lead candidates from senior individual contributors.
Can you get hired as a research lead without direct leadership experience?
Yes, especially if you can demonstrate informal leadership through your existing work. Hiring managers look for evidence that you've scoped a research program, influenced product decisions, and guided other researchers or cross-functional partners, even without a direct reporting line. Framing contract work, independent projects, or cross-functional collaboration in terms of research direction and stakeholder alignment helps close the gap.
What does the research lead interview process look like?
Most research lead interviews include a recruiter screen, a hiring manager conversation focused on your research philosophy and stakeholder approach, a portfolio review or case study presentation, and a panel interview with product managers, designers, or other research team members. Some employers add a live research critique or a take-home study design exercise to assess how you think through methodological trade-offs under realistic constraints.
Where can I find and apply to research lead jobs?
You can find and apply to research lead jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that fit your experience, background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that matches.
See All 203+ Research Lead Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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