Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania

Research Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania are in strong and sustained demand, with the state's life sciences corridor, academic medical centers, and energy research institutions driving openings at every level from junior researcher through principal scientist. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Greater Delaware Valley, where employers like GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and the University of Pennsylvania consistently bring on research talent. The most sought-after specializations include oncology and drug discovery, materials science, and computational biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles28
Top employerCarnegie Mellon University
Top cityPittsburgh, PA
Cities hiring11
Work type50% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 28+ Research Scientist jobs

Research Scientist Intern, Photorealistic Telepresence (PhD)
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Added 2d ago
Research Scientist Intern, Photorealistic Telepresence (PhD)
Meta
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
ML (Machine Learning)
$7,650 - $13k/yr
10,000+

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Research Scientist - College of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
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Added 3d ago
Research Scientist - College of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Master's degree
5,001-10,000

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Clinical Research Scientist - Neuroscience & Human Performance
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Added 1w ago
Clinical Research Scientist - Neuroscience & Human Performance
Spryson America Inc
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$80k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Doctoral degree in statistics

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Research Scientist
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Added 1w ago
Research Scientist
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
Doctoral degree
5,001-10,000

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Research & Development Senior Scientist
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Added 2w ago
Research & Development Senior Scientist
Chobani
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$94k - $148k/yr
Bachelor's degree in food science
1,001-5,000

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See All 28 Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania

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

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Research Scientist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania

Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Malvern
2 jobs
Philadelphia
2 jobs
University Park
2 jobs
Bristol
1 job
Hershey
1 job
Allentown
1 job
Lancaster
1 job
Pipersville
1 job

Research Scientist Job Market in Pennsylvania

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

Who's Hiring

Carnegie Mellon University7 open roles
Meta3 open roles
Penn State University2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Technology & Software

What Pennsylvania Employers Look For

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

  • PhD or master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or materials science
  • Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication or applied research output in your specialty area
  • Proficiency with laboratory techniques, instrumentation, or computational tools specific to the listed discipline
  • Experience designing, executing, and interpreting independent research projects from hypothesis through analysis
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to cross-functional teams and stakeholders
  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to life sciences or energy research in Pennsylvania

Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research scientist in Pennsylvania?

Most research scientist roles in Pennsylvania require at minimum a master's degree, and many academic or pharmaceutical positions expect a PhD in a relevant field such as chemistry, biology, or engineering. Pennsylvania does not issue a state-level research scientist license, so entry depends on educational credentials and demonstrated research output. Postdoctoral fellowships at institutions like Penn State, Temple, or Carnegie Mellon are a common bridge into independent research positions in the state.

Which companies hire research scientists in Pennsylvania?

Employers hiring research scientists in Pennsylvania right now include Carnegie Mellon University, Meta, and Penn State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, academic health systems, and Department of Energy-affiliated national laboratories means research scientist openings are distributed across both industry and institutional employers throughout the state.

Which Pennsylvania cities have the most research scientist jobs?

The cities with the most research scientist openings in Pennsylvania are Pittsburgh, Malvern, and Philadelphia. Philadelphia leads due to its dense cluster of pharmaceutical companies, academic medical centers, and biotech firms, while Pittsburgh's strength in materials science, robotics, and Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh-affiliated research drives significant demand in the western part of the state.

Are there remote research scientist jobs in Pennsylvania?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields. About 50% of research scientist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on laboratory work many positions require. Computational biology, bioinformatics, data science-adjacent research, and regulatory affairs roles within research organizations tend to be the most amenable to remote or hybrid arrangements.

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

The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship or graduate research assistantship at a Pennsylvania institution, which provides funded experience and direct access to hiring networks. Large employers such as Merck and GlaxoSmithKline run formal early-career and rotational research programs aimed at recent graduates. Adjacent roles like research associate, laboratory technician, or clinical research coordinator at Pennsylvania hospital systems also serve as launching points, and a strong thesis publication record can substitute for industry experience in early applications.

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

You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each position through the listing.

See All 28 Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania

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

Find Research Scientist Jobs