Senior Researcher Jobs in Chicago, IL
Senior Researcher jobs in Chicago are in strong demand, concentrated in the Near North Side, Hyde Park, and the Illinois Medical District across life sciences, market research, academic institutions, and technology. Employers hiring right now include Tempus, The University of Chicago, and Lenovo. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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84.51° Overview:
84.51° is a retail data science, insights and media company. We help The Kroger Co., consumer packaged goods companies, agencies, publishers and affiliates create more personalized and valuable experiences for shoppers across the path to purchase.
Powered by cutting-edge science, we utilize first-party retail data from more than 62 million U.S. households sourced through the Kroger Plus loyalty card program to fuel a more customer-centric journey using 84.51° Insights, 84.51° Loyalty Marketing and our retail media advertising solution, Kroger Precision Marketing.
84.51° follows a 5‑day in‑office work schedule to support collaboration, alignment, and team connection.
Join us at 84.51°!
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The Consumer Research team at 84.51° uncovers the "why" that complements the deep behavioral understanding 84.51° uniquely delivers. Our focus is uncovering the "Why," integrating it with the "What," and turning these insights into human stories and business recommendations that compel actions to be taken that delight our customers in ways no other retailer can. We strive to consistently bring this human understanding to the business and serve as a strategic partner to leaders at 84.51° and Kroger.
A Senior Researcher on our Research Insights team is a hands-on researcher accountable for independently leading the day-to-day execution and delivery of consumer research projects from start to finish. This role translates business questions into research approaches, executes research across qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and synthesizes new and existing learning into clear insights and recommendations that inform business decisions.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Research Execution & Delivery:
Independently execute research projects end‑to‑end partnering with Lead Researchers and stakeholders to:
Recommend and align on appropriate scope and method
Clarify business questions and translate them into research objectives
Design or customize questionnaires / discussion guides
Manage vendors and internal partners through fieldwork
Synthesize across new and existing research, behavioral data and other relevant sources
Develop clear, decision‑oriented insights and recommendations
Apply strong judgment in balancing speed, depth, feasibility, and cost in execution
Ensure quality, rigor, and clarity across all deliverables
Stakeholder & Project Management:
Serve as the day‑to‑day research owner for assigned projects
Proactively manage timelines, dependencies, and risks
Communicate clearly with partners on status, tradeoffs, and implications
Show up as a confident research partner in working sessions and readouts
Ways of Working & Team Contribution:
Operate effectively within CR request intake, scoping, and prioritization processes
Leverage existing research, AI-enabled capabilities, products, and tools before defaulting to custom solutions
Contribute to shared learning by documenting work, sharing best practices, and flagging patterns across projects
Partner closely with Lead Researchers, Consultants, CX Measurement, and Research Operations
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
Experience executing multiple research projects simultaneously with minimal oversight
Comfort working across data types (qual, quant, secondary) and synthesizing into clear stories
Strong analytical thinking and ability to translate findings into implications and recommendations
Clear, concise communicator—able to present insights to non‑research audiences
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Comfortable operating in a fast‑moving, sometimes ambiguous environment
Tools & Platforms (experience with some preferred): Qualtrics, SPSS/R/Python/Alteryx, Tableau/PowerPoint, insights repositories, and qualitative platforms (e.g., VoxPopMe, QualBoard)
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent, ideally in business, marketing, social sciences, psychology or analytics/statistics.
3-5 years of industry experience
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Investment & Asset Management
Senior Researcher Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior researcher job in Chicago?
Focus on Chicago's strongest hiring sectors: life sciences and biotech clustered in the Illinois Medical District, market and consumer research firms in the Loop and River North, and academic research centers anchored by the University of Chicago and Northwestern. Candidates who can demonstrate quantitative methods, peer-reviewed output, or proprietary research experience stand out. Networking through local industry associations and university alumni networks also accelerates hiring timelines here.
Which companies hire senior researchers in Chicago?
Companies currently hiring senior researchers in Chicago include Tempus, The University of Chicago, and Lenovo, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's mix of major hospital systems, consulting firms, financial institutions, and consumer packaged goods companies makes it one of the more varied markets in the Midwest for research professionals.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though it depends on the type of work: analytical, policy, and market research roles tend to be remote-friendly, while lab-based or clinical research positions almost always require on-site presence. About 94% of senior researcher openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. Desk-based research roles at Chicago's consulting and financial firms account for most of the remote availability.
How can I get a senior researcher job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is landing a research coordinator or junior analyst role at one of the city's large hospital systems, university research offices, or market research agencies, then building toward a senior title. Chicago employers at institutions like Rush University Medical Center or IRI Worldwide frequently hire entry-level researchers and promote internally. Demonstrated project ownership, strong data skills, and a graduate thesis or published work all accelerate the move to senior level.
Which industries hire the most senior researchers in Chicago?
Most senior researcher openings in Chicago sit in Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Investment & Asset Management, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's role as a hub for healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and financial services means sustained demand for researchers who can translate data into business or clinical decisions.
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