Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan

Research Scientist jobs in Michigan are consistently active, concentrated in life sciences, automotive engineering, pharmaceutical research, and materials science, with openings ranging from entry-level bench scientists through senior principal researchers. The strongest hiring metros are Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids, where employers such as University of Michigan, Pfizer, and Ford Motor Company maintain deep and ongoing research operations. High-demand specialties include computational biology, polymer chemistry, and advanced materials for EV development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Research Scientist Jobs

Overview

Open roles7
Top employerWayne State University
Top cityDetroit, MI
Cities hiring6
Work type50% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 7+ Research Scientist jobs

Housey Healthcare ULC
Assistant Research Scientist - Cell Biology
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Housey Healthcare ULC
Added 2d ago
Assistant Research Scientist - Cell Biology
Housey Healthcare ULC
Southfield, Michigan
Administrative & Office Support
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$32 - $40/hr
On-Site
Bachelor of Science

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Ford Motor Company
Research Engineer- Corrosion Scientist
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Ford Motor Company
Added 1w ago
Research Engineer- Corrosion Scientist
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$87k - $145k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree in chemistry
10,000+

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Henkel
Research Scientist
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Henkel
Added 2w ago
Research Scientist
Henkel
Madison Heights, Michigan
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Research & Academia
$85k - $110k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree
10,000+

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Michigan Technological University
Research Scientist II
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Michigan Technological University
Added 1mo ago
Research Scientist II
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, Michigan
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$75k - $90k/yr
Doctoral degree in ecology
1,001-5,000

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KLA
Research Scientist
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KLA
Added 1mo ago
Research Scientist
KLA
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$106k - $180k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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See All 7 Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan

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Research Scientist Jobs by City in Michigan

Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Detroit
2 jobs
Dearborn
1 job
Houghton
1 job
Ann Arbor
1 job
Southfield
1 job
Madison Heights
1 job

Research Scientist Job Market in Michigan

A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Wayne State University
Wayne State University2 open roles
KLA
KLA1 open role
Henkel
Henkel1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Manufacturing

What Michigan Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across Michigan.

  • Master's or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline such as chemistry, biology, or materials science
  • Demonstrated research experience through publications, dissertations, or industry lab work
  • Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation, data analysis software, and experimental design methods
  • Ability to design, execute, and document independent research protocols under minimal supervision
  • Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including engineers, clinicians, or product developers
  • Strong written and oral communication skills for presenting findings to technical and non-technical audiences

Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research scientist in Michigan?

Most research scientist roles in Michigan require at least a master's degree, and many positions in pharmaceutical, biomedical, or advanced materials research favor a PhD. Michigan does not require a state-issued license specifically for the research scientist title, but roles in clinical research or regulated laboratory settings may require alignment with federal Good Laboratory Practice standards or institutional credentialing through an employer such as a university hospital or regulated manufacturer.

Which companies hire research scientists in Michigan?

Employers hiring research scientists in Michigan right now include Wayne State University, KLA, and Henkel, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's concentration of automotive OEMs, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and Big Ten research universities creates a broad and sustained base of research hiring well beyond a single sector.

Which Michigan cities have the most research scientist jobs?

The cities with the most research scientist openings in Michigan are Detroit, Dearborn, and Houghton. Ann Arbor anchors the market through the University of Michigan and its affiliated research institutes, while Detroit draws demand from automotive R&D centers and Dearborn campuses, and Grand Rapids reflects growth in medical device and life sciences manufacturing tied to its expanding health systems corridor.

Are there remote research scientist jobs in Michigan?

Yes, but they're rare. Research scientist work is largely lab-based and instrument-dependent, so fully remote roles represent a small share of openings. About 50% of research scientist openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in computational modeling, bioinformatics, and data analysis roles that do not require physical lab access.

How can I get hired as a research scientist in Michigan with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or associate scientist role, which large Michigan employers such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Pfizer's Kalamazoo operations regularly post for candidates with a bachelor's or in-progress graduate degree. Completing a thesis or capstone project, contributing to a published study, or completing a co-op through Michigan's university systems significantly strengthens an application for these roles.

Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in Michigan?

You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across industries including life sciences, automotive research, and materials science. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly through each listing.

See All 7 Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan

Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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