Senior Researcher Jobs in Washington
Senior Researcher jobs in Washington are concentrated in biomedical sciences, technology policy, environmental and climate research, and defense-related programs, making the state one of the more active markets in the country for this level of work. The heaviest hiring runs through Seattle, Bellevue, and the Tri-Cities area, where institutions such as the University of Washington, the Allen Institute, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory maintain ongoing research programs at the senior level. The most in-demand specialties are computational biology, machine learning research, and environmental systems science. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 34+ Senior Researcher jobs
MCAPS-Core accelerates customer outcomes and business growth. By uniting product, engineering, marketing, sales, customer success, and partners around a common customer mission, we help customers realize value faster and turn innovation into measurable business impact. Through deep technical expertise and differentiated go-to-market execution, we win competitively, capture market share, and scale repeatable growth motions. We differentiate through value creation - delivering world-class, AI-powered customer experiences that accelerate adoption, strengthen loyalty, and create sustainable competitive advantage, driving growth that outpaces the market.
The Customer & Commercial Success (CCS) organization, an organization within MCAPS-Core, is the connected engine that turns Microsoft’s commercial strategy into execution at scale — making it simpler and faster for the field to win for every customer, in every segment, region, and role. The organization brings together planning, landing, execution excellence, services portfolio and delivery, and field activation across ATU, STU, and CSU to accelerate customer value, drive growth, and strengthen the end-to-end experience across every customer moment.
Are you looking for a strategic job opportunity with a unique and spirited team converging strategy, design, and research with a focus on customer experience? If so, you may want to join the Experience Strategy & Design Studio team as a Senior Research Strategist!
How we are different from other research and design teams:
- We are strategic more than tactical and work primarily on large scale end-to-end experiences. This means we have more interaction with executives
- We operate within a horizontal team format, where we lead with influence to cultivate key partnerships across organizations within Microsoft
- Much of our work is fast-paced, agile, and iterative
We could be the right team for you if you are looking for a team with:
- An inclusive and collaborative environment, encouraging diverse team perspectives
- A culture of thought leadership, shepherding customer-centricity at the team’s core
- Agency and creative freedom to generate energy with stakeholders through dynamic storytelling and visually appealing artifacts
- The ability to create clarity amidst ambiguous and complex customer challenges
- A diverse and energetic team that lives across four countries
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Scope, design, and lead in-person and virtual customer-facing co-creation workshops that result in breakthrough ways AI can transform our customers’ business
- Excellent communicator and storyteller that can communicate complex concepts in a manner that creates enthusiasm and alignment for the proposed future state experiences
- Skilled at executive-level stakeholder management; comfortable setting and respectfully communicating expectations
- Confidently identify the best way to leverage qualitative research to support a design objective, including the area of focus and research method(s) best suited to the business objectives and customer needs
- Demonstrate experience with a wide variety of research methods (e.g., interviewing, surveys, foundational, quantitative, qualitative, etc.). Hands-on experience designing, planning, and facilitating interviews, field research, international research, and survey design
- Build connections and partnerships to deliver a persuasive outside-in customer-centric approach to enable a connected experience delivered at scale
- Drive a foundational research strategy for the team while partnering with stakeholders to define moments of truth
- Clearly and succinctly present possible solutions outside of the designated design space
- Review and validate work with peers, stakeholders, and customers to maintain open communication
- Ability to see things from various altitudes and communicate holistic solutions
- Expertise in Customer Experience Design and Design Thinking
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
-
Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years User Experience Research experience
- OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ year(s) User Experience Research experience
- OR Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 1+ year(s) User Experience Research experience
- OR equivalent experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Human- Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 8+ years User Experience Research experience
- OR Master's Degree in Human- Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years User Experience Research experience
- OR Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ years User Experience Research experience
- 4+ years designing and facilitating co-creation/ideation/design thinking workshops to drive meaningful business outcomes
- 4+ years working on experiences that include extensive digital solutions (omni-channel, self-service, AI bots, etc.)
- 4+ years conducting 1:1 research interviews
- 2+ year(s) relevant domain experience within technology sector and enterprise (B2B) customers
- 4+ year(s) relevant domain experience within technology sector and enterprise (B2B) customers
- 3+ year(s) experience in research methods impacting both product direction and detailed experience design
- 6+ years designing and facilitating co-creation/ideation/design thinking workshops to drive meaningful business outcomes
- 6+ years conducting 1:1 research interviews
UX Research IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $160,200 - $261,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process.
MCAPS-Core accelerates customer outcomes and business growth. By uniting product, engineering, marketing, sales, customer success, and partners around a common customer mission, we help customers realize value faster and turn innovation into measurable business impact. Through deep technical expertise and differentiated go-to-market execution, we win competitively, capture market share, and scale repeatable growth motions. We differentiate through value creation - delivering world-class, AI-powered customer experiences that accelerate adoption, strengthen loyalty, and create sustainable competitive advantage, driving growth that outpaces the market.
The Customer & Commercial Success (CCS) organization, an organization within MCAPS-Core, is the connected engine that turns Microsoft’s commercial strategy into execution at scale — making it simpler and faster for the field to win for every customer, in every segment, region, and role. The organization brings together planning, landing, execution excellence, services portfolio and delivery, and field activation across ATU, STU, and CSU to accelerate customer value, drive growth, and strengthen the end-to-end experience across every customer moment.
Are you looking for a strategic job opportunity with a unique and spirited team converging strategy, design, and research with a focus on customer experience? If so, you may want to join the Experience Strategy & Design Studio team as a Senior Research Strategist!
How we are different from other research and design teams:
- We are strategic more than tactical and work primarily on large scale end-to-end experiences. This means we have more interaction with executives
- We operate within a horizontal team format, where we lead with influence to cultivate key partnerships across organizations within Microsoft
- Much of our work is fast-paced, agile, and iterative
We could be the right team for you if you are looking for a team with:
- An inclusive and collaborative environment, encouraging diverse team perspectives
- A culture of thought leadership, shepherding customer-centricity at the team’s core
- Agency and creative freedom to generate energy with stakeholders through dynamic storytelling and visually appealing artifacts
- The ability to create clarity amidst ambiguous and complex customer challenges
- A diverse and energetic team that lives across four countries
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Scope, design, and lead in-person and virtual customer-facing co-creation workshops that result in breakthrough ways AI can transform our customers’ business
- Excellent communicator and storyteller that can communicate complex concepts in a manner that creates enthusiasm and alignment for the proposed future state experiences
- Skilled at executive-level stakeholder management; comfortable setting and respectfully communicating expectations
- Confidently identify the best way to leverage qualitative research to support a design objective, including the area of focus and research method(s) best suited to the business objectives and customer needs
- Demonstrate experience with a wide variety of research methods (e.g., interviewing, surveys, foundational, quantitative, qualitative, etc.). Hands-on experience designing, planning, and facilitating interviews, field research, international research, and survey design
- Build connections and partnerships to deliver a persuasive outside-in customer-centric approach to enable a connected experience delivered at scale
- Drive a foundational research strategy for the team while partnering with stakeholders to define moments of truth
- Clearly and succinctly present possible solutions outside of the designated design space
- Review and validate work with peers, stakeholders, and customers to maintain open communication
- Ability to see things from various altitudes and communicate holistic solutions
- Expertise in Customer Experience Design and Design Thinking
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
-
Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years User Experience Research experience
- OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ year(s) User Experience Research experience
- OR Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 1+ year(s) User Experience Research experience
- OR equivalent experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Human- Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 8+ years User Experience Research experience
- OR Master's Degree in Human- Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years User Experience Research experience
- OR Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ years User Experience Research experience
- 4+ years designing and facilitating co-creation/ideation/design thinking workshops to drive meaningful business outcomes
- 4+ years working on experiences that include extensive digital solutions (omni-channel, self-service, AI bots, etc.)
- 4+ years conducting 1:1 research interviews
- 2+ year(s) relevant domain experience within technology sector and enterprise (B2B) customers
- 4+ year(s) relevant domain experience within technology sector and enterprise (B2B) customers
- 3+ year(s) experience in research methods impacting both product direction and detailed experience design
- 6+ years designing and facilitating co-creation/ideation/design thinking workshops to drive meaningful business outcomes
- 6+ years conducting 1:1 research interviews
UX Research IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $160,200 - $261,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process.
See All 34 Senior Researcher Jobs in Washington
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Find Senior Researcher JobsSenior Researcher Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Researcher Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Artificial Intelligence
- Retail
- Investment & Asset Management
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior researcher jobs across Washington.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant scientific, technical, or social science field
- Five or more years of independent research experience with peer-reviewed publications or technical reports
- Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and manage junior staff or graduate researchers
- Proficiency in quantitative or computational methods appropriate to the research domain
- Experience writing and managing federal, state, or foundation grant applications
- Strong communication skills for presenting findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
Senior Researcher Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior researcher in Washington?
Most senior researcher roles in Washington require a master's or doctoral degree in a field relevant to the position, such as biology, environmental science, public policy, computer science, or social science. Washington does not issue a state license specifically for research scientists, so advancement depends on building a record of published or applied work, securing research funding, and demonstrating leadership on multi-year projects. Researchers at institutions like the University of Washington or Washington State University often advance internally from postdoctoral or associate researcher roles.
Which companies hire senior researchers in Washington?
Companies currently hiring senior researchers in Washington include NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Washington's combination of major research universities, federally funded national laboratories, and large technology company campuses means senior researcher demand is spread across academic, government, and private-sector employers.
Which Washington cities have the most senior researcher jobs?
Seattle, Redmond, and Bellevue account for the largest concentration of senior researcher openings in Washington. Seattle and Bellevue lead because of the University of Washington, the Allen Institute, and large technology company research divisions headquartered there, while the Tri-Cities area anchors demand through Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and affiliated defense and energy programs.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Washington?
Yes, and more than most fields, because senior researcher work is largely analytical, writing-intensive, and computer-based. About 31% of senior researcher openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the role can be performed without a dedicated on-site laboratory. The portions most likely to remain fully remote are data analysis, literature review, grant writing, and policy research, while roles requiring wet-lab access or fieldwork will typically require at least partial on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a senior researcher in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or associate researcher role at a Washington university, national laboratory, or research institute, where you build a portfolio of project contributions under senior supervision. The University of Washington, Washington State University, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory regularly hire entry-level research staff and postdoctoral associates who move into senior positions over time. Completing a relevant graduate degree, contributing to published studies, and building proficiency in statistical or computational tools gives candidates a clear edge when applying for those junior roles that lead upward.
Where can I find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Washington employers. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and research focus, and apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 34 Senior Researcher Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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