Senior Researcher Jobs in Virginia

Senior Researcher jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense research, biomedical sciences, public policy analysis, and federal contract work, with openings at every level from research associate through principal scientist. The largest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor, where employers like Leidos, MITRE Corporation, and George Mason University maintain substantial research operations. The most sought-after specialties include national security and intelligence research, health policy analysis, and applied data science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles52
Top employerVirginia Commonwealth University
Top cityMcLean, VA
Cities hiring20
Work type42% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 52+ Senior Researcher jobs

Senior Manager, Market Research & Intelligence - Global Enterprise Affairs
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Added 3d ago
Senior Manager, Market Research & Intelligence - Global Enterprise Affairs
Capital One
McLean, Virginia
Customer Success
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Senior Evaluation Manager for Sponsored Research
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Added 4d ago
Senior Evaluation Manager for Sponsored Research
Youth Villages
Chesterfield, Virginia
Community & Nonprofit Services
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Remote (US)
Doctoral degree
1,001-5,000

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Senior Research Manager for Sponsored Research
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Added 4d ago
Senior Research Manager for Sponsored Research
Youth Villages
Chesterfield, Virginia
Business Development
Customer Success
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
Doctoral degree
1,001-5,000

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Senior Security Researcher
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Added 4d ago
Senior Security Researcher
Integration Innovation, Inc
Arlington, Virginia
Cybersecurity
IT Support
Network Engineering
$124k - $208k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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Senior Operations Research Analyst
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Added 6d ago
Senior Operations Research Analyst
Prescient Edge
McLean, Virginia
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$110k - $170k/yr
Master's degree
51-200

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See All 52 Senior Researcher Jobs in Virginia

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Senior Researcher Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

McLean
10 jobs
Arlington
10 jobs
Reston
4 jobs
Herndon
4 jobs
Richmond
4 jobs
Chesterfield
2 jobs
Tysons
1 job
Vienna
1 job
Fairfax
1 job

Senior Researcher Job Market in Virginia

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

Who's Hiring

Virginia Commonwealth University7 open roles
ICF2 open roles
Capital One2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in senior researcher jobs across Virginia.

  • Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field such as life sciences, social sciences, or engineering
  • Five or more years of research experience in a government, academic, or defense contractor setting
  • Demonstrated ability to design and lead independent research projects from inception through publication
  • Experience working with federal agencies or holding an active U.S. government security clearance
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis software such as R, SPSS, SAS, or Python for data-driven research
  • Strong record of peer-reviewed publication, grant writing, or technical report authorship

Senior Researcher Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a senior researcher in Virginia?

Most senior researcher roles in Virginia require at minimum a master's degree, with a doctorate strongly preferred for positions at federal agencies, research universities, or defense contractors. Virginia does not issue a state license specific to researchers, but roles tied to federal contracts often require security clearance adjudicated through federal channels. Candidates typically progress from research assistant or associate positions, building a portfolio of published work, grant experience, or technical reports before reaching senior level.

Which companies hire senior researchers in Virginia?

Employers hiring senior researchers in Virginia right now include Virginia Commonwealth University, ICF, and Capital One, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means many senior researcher openings are tied to long-term government contracts, creating consistent demand across the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions.

Which Virginia cities have the most senior researcher jobs?

McLean, Arlington, and Virginia have the most senior researcher openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies in Washington, D.C. drives the largest share of postings, while Richmond's health systems and policy think tanks and Hampton Roads' naval and engineering research commands account for strong hiring outside the D.C. metro area.

Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Virginia?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 58% of senior researcher openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based, analytical nature of much research work. Roles focused on literature reviews, data analysis, policy writing, and grant development are most likely to be fully remote, while laboratory-based or classified-facility positions typically require on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a senior researcher in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or junior analyst role at a Virginia university, think tank, or federal contractor. Institutions like George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and large contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton regularly bring on entry-level research staff. Building a publication record, completing a research-focused graduate program, and obtaining even an interim security clearance significantly improve candidacy for advancement into senior roles.

Where can I find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, health, policy, and academic research sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 52 Senior Researcher Jobs in Virginia

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