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$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do academic researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an academic researcher do?

An Academic Researcher conducts in-depth studies on specific topics within their field of expertise, often within a university or research institution. They design experiments, analyze data, publish findings in academic journals, and may collaborate with other researchers. Their work contributes to advancing knowledge, developing new theories, or solving complex problems. Many researchers also teach or mentor students alongside their research activities.

What are the typical advancement opportunities for academic researchers?

Academic Researchers often start as research assistants or associates and can advance to senior researcher, principal investigator, or project leader roles as they gain experience and build a strong publication record. Some researchers may transition into tenure-track faculty positions or take on leadership roles within research centers or academic departments. Advancement is often tied to obtaining research grants, publishing influential studies, and contributing to collaborative projects. Gaining experience in mentoring junior researchers and managing projects can also enhance prospects for career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, expertise in your field of study, and an advanced degree such as a master's or PhD. Proficiency with research databases, statistical analysis software (like SPSS or R), and academic publishing platforms is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, collaboration, and time management abilities set outstanding researchers apart. These skills ensure rigorous, impactful research outcomes and successful contributions to scholarly communities.

Do you need a PhD to do academic researcher?

While a PhD is often preferred for academic researcher roles, especially in university settings, it is not always required. Some research positions may accept master's degrees or relevant experience, and additional skills such as data analysis and research methodology are important. Requirements vary depending on the institution and specific research area.

What do you need to be an academic researcher?

To become an academic researcher, you typically need at least a master's degree or PhD in a relevant field, strong analytical and research skills, and experience with research methodologies and data analysis tools. Academic researchers often work in universities or research institutions and may require publication records or grants experience.
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Academic Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Academic Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Academic Researcher (Remote | $245-$280/hr)

Synthires

Oxnard, CA • On-site

$245 - $280/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

PhD & Academic Expert


Position: PhD & Academic Expert


Type: Hourly Contract


Compensation: $245–$280/hour


Location: Remote


About the Opportunity

This opportunity is for experienced PhD-level academic and research professionals across technical and humanities disciplines to contribute to advanced AI research and evaluation projects.

You'll apply your subject-matter expertise to evaluate AI-generated responses, create expert-level prompts and reference answers, identify subtle errors and weaknesses in reasoning, and establish rigorous standards for evaluating AI performance. No prior AI experience is required — your academic and research expertise is what matters.

The role is suitable for experts across fields including STEM, English, literature, journalism, social sciences, and other research-intensive disciplines.

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate AI-generated responses for accuracy, depth, reasoning quality, and subject-matter expertise.
  • Create high-quality expert prompts, reference answers, and detailed critiques.
  • Identify subtle factual errors, gaps in reasoning, unsupported conclusions, and shallow analysis.
  • Apply rigorous academic research standards when assessing AI-generated content.
  • Develop evaluation criteria that distinguish expert-level reasoning from generic or surface-level responses.
  • Analyze complex academic and research problems within your area of specialization.
  • Provide clear, evidence-based written feedback to improve AI model performance.
  • Contribute to the development of evaluation frameworks, research methodologies, and quality standards.
  • Collaborate remotely with research and project teams to refine evaluation guidelines and deliverables.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in a relevant technical, academic, or humanities discipline.
  • Strong background in academic research, critical analysis, and research methodology.
  • Excellent ability to evaluate complex information for accuracy, depth, logic, and evidence.
  • Strong academic and technical writing skills.
  • Ability to identify nuanced errors and distinguish sophisticated reasoning from superficial analysis.
  • Excellent written English and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to research-quality standards.
  • Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD from a top-ranked university.
  • Background in STEM, English, literature, journalism, or another research-intensive field.
  • Experience with peer review, academic publishing, research supervision, or scholarly evaluation.
  • Experience developing research frameworks, academic curricula, technical documentation, or evaluation criteria.
  • Experience analyzing or evaluating AI-generated content is a plus, but not required.
  • Based in an English-speaking country.
  • Strong experience translating complex research findings into clear written explanations.

Compensation

  • Competitive compensation of $245–$280/hour.
  • Hourly contract engagement.
  • Fully remote with flexible scheduling.
  • Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AI research and evaluation projects.

Application Process

  1. Apply to the role
  2. Complete the required screening questions
  3. Submit academic and professional background information
  4. Complete the relevant evaluation or assessment
  5. Participate in the interview/evaluation stage
  6. Hiring team review and project onboarding


Apply