Senior Researcher Jobs in Michigan
Senior Researcher jobs in Michigan are in steady demand, concentrated in the state's strong university research ecosystems, automotive innovation sector, and life sciences industry. Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids are the primary hiring hubs, where institutions and employers such as the University of Michigan, Ford Motor Company, and Spectrum Health maintain active research programs. The most sought-after specialties include clinical and translational research, automotive systems research, and public health or epidemiology. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should include job posting ID 282003 and address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Job Summary
The ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation Center (AMSI) is a groundbreaking partnership dedicated to redefining the boundaries of athletic performance and sport science. By uniting ASICS? global leadership in footwear and apparel with the University of Michigan?s world-class research ecosystem, AMSI creates a unique environment for discovery?where art, science, and engineering converge to spark transformative breakthroughs.
AMSI, in collaboration with the High Performance Athlete Innovation Laboratory (HAIL), has an immediate opportunity for an exceptional Research Area Specialist, Senior to serve as Project Manager to support high-performance athlete testing for AMSI and to execute an NIH-funded study evaluating the interaction between aerobic exercise and bone health.
We are seeking a highly motivated professional to independently manage study initiation, IRB protocols, participant recruitment infrastructure, and federal/industry data compliance workflows.
This is a four-year term position.
Responsibilities*
- Regulatory Oversight & IRB Management: Independently author, submit, amend, and maintain complex IRB protocols spanning both industry-sponsored and NIH-funded projects. Ensure strict regulatory adherence to local, university, and federal human subject protection guidelines. Manage annual renewals, adverse event tracking, and protocol deviations.
- Participant Recruitment Lifecycle: Design and deploy comprehensive recruitment pipelines for multiple studies focused on exercise and running. Coordinate scheduling, execute informed consent workflows, determine eligibility criteria, and manage participant compensation/retention logs. Monitor project milestones to ensure participant recruitment aligns with study timelines.
- Data Management Infrastructure: Build, clean, and manage secure data infrastructure (e.g., REDCap databases). Author official Data Management Plans (DMPs). Conduct regular quality-assurance checks, audit data logging, resolve discrepancies across the research team, and provide regular study-enrolment metrics to the PIs.
- Laboratory Operations Support: Supervise, train, and orient student research assistants and junior lab staff on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and clinical compliance. Assist with basic laboratory operations or exercise testing technical support during peak collection blocks when needed.
Required Qualifications*
- Education: Master?s degree in Kinesiology, Clinical Research, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline, or a Bachelor?s degree combined with a demonstrated track record of extensive, progressive experience in clinical trial/human subject research coordination.
- Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of progressive, hands-on experience managing clinical trials or human subject research portfolios, with clear demonstrated experience with IRB platform systems, participant compensation systems, and other relevant tools.
- Autonomy: Proven ability to operate with a high degree of independence, manage multiple study timelines concurrently, and navigate administrative logistics with confidence.
- Professional Skills: Detail and task oriented. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with others in a dynamic, collaborative environment involving elite athletes, participants, and academic investigators.
- Computer Skills: High proficiency with data management software (such as REDCap, Qualtrics) cloud storage systems (Dropbox, Google Workspace) and standard office tools.
Passion for Sport & Performance Innovation: A deep, intrinsic passion for sports, athletic culture, and human performance science. The ideal candidate must be highly driven by real-world athletic outcomes, showing a genuine motivation to help athletes achieve their highest competitive potential.
Desired Qualifications*
- Clinical Certifications: Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) or Research Professional (CCRP) designation
- Phlebotomy Experience: Active certification or clear demonstrated experience with venipuncture/phlebotomy.
- Athletic Experience: Experience working with collegiate, elite, or high performance sport populations
- Scientific Communication: Experience participating in abstract and manuscript preparation.
- Industry Experience: Prior experience in working with industry partners, with preferred experience in athletic apparel, footwear, or related sport industry. Experience handling intellectual property (IP) considerations, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or fast-turnaround milestones typical of corporate partners.
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits can you Look Forward to?
- Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
- 2:1 Match on retirement savings
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Please note: This will be a 4 year, term-limited appointment. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate, and will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not create a contract or guarantee of employment for any period of time as you will remain subject to disciplinary or other performance measures, up to and including termination, at the will of the University in accordance with existing University policy and standards for employee performance and conduct.
Contact Information
Questions about the position should be directed to:
Ken Kozloff, PhD
Steven A. Goldstein Collegiate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Co-Director, ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation Center
Co-Director, University of Michigan Human Performance & Sport Science Center
kenkoz@umich.edu
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
282003
Working Title
Research Area Specialist, Senior (Term Position)
Job Title
Research Area Specialist Sr
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Medical School
Department
MM Orthopaedic Surgery
Posting Begin/End Date
8/21/2026 - 9/21/2026
Career Interest
Research
See All 12 Senior Researcher Jobs in Michigan
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Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Researcher Job Market in Michigan
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Top Industries Hiring
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What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior researcher jobs across Michigan.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant research discipline required
- Minimum five years of experience designing and leading independent research projects
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication or technical report authorship
- Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistical analysis tools
- Experience managing research teams, budgets, and multi-stakeholder projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and presentations
Senior Researcher Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior researcher in Michigan?
Most senior researcher roles in Michigan require at least a master's degree, and many positions in clinical, health, or life sciences research expect a doctorate. Michigan does not issue a general state license for researchers, but those working in clinical settings often need Good Clinical Practice certification and must comply with institutional review board requirements administered through their employing institution. Candidates typically advance from research associate or research scientist roles, building a record of independent projects and publications before reaching the senior level.
Which companies hire senior researchers in Michigan?
Michigan senior researcher roles are posted by General Motors (GM), Human8, and The University of Michigan and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's concentration of automotive manufacturers, major academic medical centers, and federally funded university research programs makes it one of the more consistently active states for senior research hiring.
Which Michigan cities have the most senior researcher jobs?
Warren, Ann Arbor, and Detroit have the most senior researcher openings in Michigan. Ann Arbor leads because of the University of Michigan's extensive research enterprise and affiliated health system, while Detroit draws from the automotive and engineering research presence of large manufacturers and their supplier networks, and Grand Rapids benefits from a growing health sciences cluster anchored by Spectrum Health and Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Michigan?
Yes, and they are more common than in many fields, since a meaningful share of senior researcher work involves data analysis, literature synthesis, grant writing, and manuscript preparation that can be done remotely. About 44% of senior researcher openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how well the analytical and writing-intensive parts of the role translate to distributed work. Roles requiring laboratory work, clinical data collection, or direct participant interaction remain predominantly on-site.
How can I get hired as a senior researcher in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a research assistant or research coordinator role at one of Michigan's large research universities or academic medical centers, such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Wayne State University, which regularly post entry-level positions for recent graduates. Building experience in a specific domain, such as clinical trials coordination or automotive testing support, and earning a relevant certification can accelerate advancement. Candidates who contribute to published studies or funded grant proposals while in junior roles gain the portfolio that Michigan employers look for when filling senior-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 Senior Researcher Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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