Senior Researcher Jobs in Pennsylvania
Senior Researcher jobs in Pennsylvania are in strong demand, concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and biotech development, healthcare systems, and public policy, with openings at every level from junior analyst through principal investigator. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Route 202 corridor anchoring Delaware County and Montgomery County account for the heaviest hiring, where employers like Penn Medicine, UPMC, and GlaxoSmithKline maintain lasting research operations. The most in-demand specialties are clinical and translational research, health policy and outcomes research, and computational social science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs. Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change.
Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Job no: 507157 Work type: Part-Time Location: Salus Campus - Elkins Park Categories: Drexel University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry Job Summary The Senior Research Technologist conducts and supports advanced laboratory research focused on retinal physiology using transgenic mouse models in compliance with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety protocols. Responsibilities include performing ex vivo transretinal electroretinography (ERG), in vivo ERG recordings, and optokinetic response behavioral studies using OptoDrum technology, as well as processing and analyzing experimental data. The role prepares reagents, solutions, and tissue samples for electrophysiological studies, maintains laboratory equipment and inventories by ordering necessary supplies, and contributes to the preparation of scientific presentations and peer-reviewed manuscripts. The Senior Research Technologist also ensures a safe and organized laboratory environment, collaborates effectively with laboratory personnel, and performs additional research and laboratory duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator to support ongoing research objectives. This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds. Essential Functions Reports to the Principal Investigator/Director of the laboratory. Conducts laboratory animal studies related to retinal physiology defined under IACUC and Institutional Biosafety protocols. Performs electrophysiological experiments on whole-mount mouse retinas (ex-vivo transretinal electroretinography) and data processing and analysis. Performs behavioral studies of optokinetic response in transgenic mouse models utilizing OptoDrum technology and pertinent data processing and analysis. Performs in vivo ERG recordings in mouse models. Prepares reagents, solutions, and tissue samples for electrophysiological studies. Orders pertinent laboratory supplies and maintains laboratory equipment. Processes experimental data for presentations at scientific conferences and manuscripts. Maintains safe laboratory environment and proper communication with laboratory personnel. Performs other laboratory duties and safety procedures specified by the Principal Investigator. Other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Physics and a PhD in biology. Minimum of 10 years of experience in molecular biology and electrophysiology of the retina, including: Documented record of performing advanced electrophysiological studies in vertebrate retinas. Long-term experience with performing electrophysiological experiments on whole-mount retinas (patch-clamp and extracellular recordings). Hands-on experience with integrative functions of nervous system including visuomotor integration studies. Specialized computer skills (MatLab, IgorPro). Experience with animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Electronics (design and calibration of analog devices, programming microcontrollers). Pharmacology of ion channels. Co-authorship on at least 5 peer-review publications in the field of retinal neurobiology. Physical Demands Typically sitting at a desk/table Typically standing, walking Location Salus Campus - Elkins Park Additional Information This position is classified as Exempt, grade L. The compensation range for a Full-Time role in this salary grade from $69,070.00 to $103,600.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure. Special Instructions to the Applicant Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified. Advertised: Aug 20 2026 Eastern Daylight Time Applications close: Sep 20 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Researcher Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior researcher jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a research-relevant field such as public health, life sciences, or social science
- Minimum five years of research experience, including project leadership or principal investigator responsibilities
- Proficiency in quantitative or qualitative analysis tools such as R, STATA, SPSS, NVivo, or Python
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication, technical reports, or grant-funded project outcomes
- Experience managing IRB protocols, regulatory submissions, or compliance documentation for federally funded research
- Strong written communication skills for grant writing, policy briefs, or scientific manuscript preparation
Senior Researcher Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior researcher in Pennsylvania?
Most senior researcher roles in Pennsylvania require at least a master's degree, and many positions at universities, hospital systems, and think tanks prefer a doctorate. Pennsylvania does not issue a general state license for researchers, so advancement depends on building a portfolio of published work, grant funding, and project leadership. Institutions like Penn State, Drexel, and Temple are common training grounds, and many researchers move into senior roles after several years in coordinator or associate researcher positions.
Which companies hire senior researchers in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring senior researchers in Pennsylvania right now include Carnegie Mellon University, cabaletta bio, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of academic medical centers, pharmaceutical headquarters, and federally funded research institutes makes it one of the more active states for sustained senior researcher hiring.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most senior researcher jobs?
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Collegeville have the most senior researcher openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia dominates due to its dense cluster of research universities, hospital systems, and biopharma firms, while Pittsburgh draws heavily from Carnegie Mellon and UPMC's research enterprise, and suburban counties along the Route 202 corridor contribute openings tied to pharmaceutical and health technology companies headquartered there.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, and more than many fields. Senior researcher work is often desk-based and analytical, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 53% of senior researcher openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the nature of the role rather than unusual employer flexibility. Literature review, data analysis, report writing, and grant preparation are the functions most commonly performed fully remote.
How can I get hired as a senior researcher in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research coordinator or research assistant role, which large Pennsylvania employers like Penn Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and UPMC routinely post as new-graduate positions. From there, coordinating IRB submissions, managing data collection, and co-authoring publications builds the record needed to advance. A strong graduate thesis, a completed internship with a Pennsylvania policy organization or clinical trial site, or a relevant certification in clinical research strengthens an early application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each employer through the listings.
See All 30 Senior Researcher Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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