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Discovery Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Biochemistry Research Scientist - PhD

New York, NY · On-site +1

$50 - $70/hr

Biology Research Scientist (BA, MS, PhD's) Type: Contract Compensation: $50-$70/hour Location ... Write concise, evidence-grounded notes explaining your reasoning to support AI drug discovery ...

Allegis Group

Senior UX Researcher

Hanover, MD

Discovery research * Concept testing and validation studies * Usability testing * In-depth interviews * Field or contextual research * Surveys and mixed-methods studies * Journey mapping and service ...

Allegis Group

Senior UX Researcher

Hanover, MD

Discovery research * Concept testing and validation studies * Usability testing * In-depth interviews * Field or contextual research * Surveys and mixed-methods studies * Journey mapping and service ...

Allegis Group

Senior UX Researcher

Hanover, MD · On-site

Discovery research * Concept testing and validation studies * Usability testing * In-depth interviews * Field or contextual research * Surveys and mixed-methods studies * Journey mapping and service ...

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How much do discovery research jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for discovery research in the United States is $40.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.44 and $52.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced in a Discovery Research role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Discovery Research often encounter challenges such as dealing with ambiguous data, rapidly shifting project priorities, and the need for effective cross-disciplinary communication. Addressing these requires adaptability, strong analytical skills, and proactive collaboration with colleagues from various scientific backgrounds. Building a solid foundation in both experimental design and data analysis, as well as fostering open communication within the team, can help mitigate these issues and ensure research progresses efficiently.

What is the difference between Discovery Research vs User Experience Research?

AspectDiscovery ResearchUser Experience Research
FocusIdentifying user needs, market opportunities, and product concepts early in developmentEvaluating user interactions, usability, and satisfaction with a product or service
MethodsInterviews, market analysis, ethnography, contextual inquiryUsability testing, surveys, interviews, analytics
Work EnvironmentOften in early project phases, cross-functional teams, research labsThroughout product lifecycle, design teams, testing labs
GoalsDiscover unmet needs, inform product strategyImprove user experience, optimize usability

Discovery Research and User Experience Research are related but distinct roles. Discovery Research focuses on understanding user needs and market opportunities early in product development, while User Experience Research concentrates on evaluating and improving the usability of a product during and after development. Both roles often collaborate but serve different stages of the product lifecycle.

What is discovery research?

Discovery research refers to the early-stage scientific investigation aimed at identifying new knowledge, concepts, or targets that could lead to breakthroughs, particularly in fields like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and technology development. It typically involves exploring biological mechanisms, chemical compounds, or innovative ideas before moving into more targeted development phases. Discovery research lays the groundwork for future applied research and product development, helping organizations understand complex problems and uncover potential solutions. This process is critical for innovation and often involves collaboration among scientists, researchers, and technology experts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Discovery Research, and why are they important?

To excel in Discovery Research, you need a strong background in scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, or pharmacology, often supported by an advanced degree (e.g., PhD) and research experience. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, data analysis software, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is typically required. Critical thinking, curiosity, collaboration, and effective communication are vital soft skills for generating and sharing novel insights. These abilities enable researchers to design experiments, interpret results, and drive innovation in developing new products or therapies.
More about Discovery Research jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Discovery Research jobs? The most popular types of Discovery Research jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Discovery Research jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Discovery Research jobs are:
Discovery Research jobs near you
Director/Sr. Director-Immunology Research Cutaneous Biology

Director/Sr. Director-Immunology Research Cutaneous Biology

Eli Lilly and Company

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Eli Lilly and Company rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 62 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 73 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We're looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.
We are seeking a highly motivated, creative, and accomplished Director/Sr. Director to help drive our Cutaneous Biology discovery effort within the Immunology Research Therapeutic Area. This role will be part of a dynamic, cross-functional team that is focused on driving scientific innovation in skin and hair biology that results in a robust research portfolio of therapeutic candidates for dermatology/aesthetics.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific Guidance and Project Management
  • Provide scientific direction for cutaneous biology discovery research for skin and hair disorders
  • Lead the design and execution of research projects focused on skin/hair follicle biology
  • Contribute to external innovation and business development (BD) due diligence activities pertaining to skin and hair biology that drive our decision making around BD opportunities

Research Development & Execution
  • Help identify novel targets based on human causal biology and validate their contribution to skin quality and hair disorders using relevant in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models
  • Guide the design, optimization, and implementation of preclinical models that capture translational biology, integrating insights from human tissue profiling data
  • Design and implement flow schemes to characterize potential therapeutics for effects on cutaneous biology, leveraging both internal and external resources
  • Partner with the Immunology in vivo pharmacology team to execute critical experiments
  • Work with a cross-functional team to generate comprehensive data packages that advance novel therapeutic approaches and support Go/No Go decision-making

Team Building & Management
  • Foster a collaborative, creative, and scientifically rigorous team culture committed to excellence and innovation
  • Develop team capabilities and ensure appropriate resource allocation

Required Qualifications
  • Degree in PhD, PharmD in immunology, molecular biology, or related scientific discipline
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in biotech or pharma

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leading discovery research programs from early-stage research through candidate selection
  • Knowledge of current therapeutic landscape in dermatology and medical aesthetics
  • Experience with novel therapeutic modalities (cell therapy, genetic medicine, precision medicine, local delivery technologies, etc.)
  • Experience with IND submission and preclinical data package generation
  • Deep expertise in cutaneous biology with demonstrated experience in developing complex ex vivo human skin/hair follicle assays and in vivo models of skin/hair disorders
  • Familiarity with data-driven discovery approaches, including integration of genetic or multi-omics insights
  • Experience building and managing research projects with proven success in project execution in a multi-disciplinary team environment
  • High degree of organizational skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking, with ability to prioritize work and meet target timelines
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to drive cross-site collaboration in a matrixed research environment

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women's Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$163,500 - $281,600
Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly's compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
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About Eli Lilly

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Eli Lilly, based in Indianapolis, IN, US, is one of the pioneers in the pharmaceutical industry with a rich history dating back to 1876. This global pharmaceutical company focuses on discovering, developing, manufacturing and selling pharmaceutical products in approximately 120 countries. The company's product categories include endocrinology, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and immunology. Having invested over $9 billion in research and development in the past decade, Eli Lilly is also committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs. As a recipient of several awards and recognitions, Eli Lilly is known for its focus on life-saving research and drug development. Their mission is to make medicines that help people live longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Indianapolis, IN, US

Year founded

1876

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