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Image Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Hyperspectral Image Scientist

Springfield, VA · On-site +1

$92K - $166K/yr

Leidos is actively interviewing for a Senior Hyperspectral Image Scientist to join our team in Springfield, VA. Job Summary Senior technical position responsible for leading the analysis,

DeepSight Technology

Image Analysis Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160K - $250K/yr

DeepSight Technology Inc. is an early-stage, pre-commercial medical device company with a vision for Physical AI -scaling advanced multimodal sensing technologies so clinicians can see more, sense

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Image Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do image researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for image 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 is an image researcher?

An image researcher is a professional who locates, verifies, and sources images for various projects, often using online databases, stock photo libraries, and search tools. They ensure images meet specific criteria and rights clearance, supporting creative, marketing, or editorial work.

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

To thrive as an Image Researcher, you need strong visual literacy, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of copyright and licensing, often supported by a degree in media, art history, or a related field. Familiarity with digital asset management systems, stock image databases, and metadata tagging tools is typically required. Excellent communication, organizational skills, and the ability to interpret creative briefs help you collaborate effectively with clients and creative teams. These skills ensure the efficient sourcing of high-quality, legally compliant images that meet project requirements and creative standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Image Researchers and how can they be addressed?

One of the main challenges for Image Researchers is sourcing high-quality, rights-cleared images that meet specific project requirements and tight deadlines. Navigating copyright restrictions and negotiating usage licenses can be complex, especially when working with rare or historical imagery. Effective organization, strong communication with licensing agencies, and staying up-to-date with copyright laws are essential strategies to address these challenges. Additionally, collaborating closely with editors, designers, and legal teams ensures that all images are suitable and cleared for intended use.

What does an Image Researcher do?

An Image Researcher is responsible for finding, sourcing, and licensing images for use in various media such as books, magazines, websites, films, and advertising. They work closely with editors, designers, and producers to identify the right visuals that meet creative and legal requirements. Their job often involves negotiating usage rights, ensuring proper credits, and maintaining an organized archive of images. Attention to detail and knowledge of copyright law are important aspects of this role.

What is the difference between Image Researcher vs Photo Editor?

AspectImage ResearcherPhoto Editor
Primary RoleConducts research to find suitable images, sources, and rights for projectsSelects, edits, and enhances photos for publication or presentation
Skills & CredentialsResearch skills, knowledge of image sources, copyright understandingPhoto editing, retouching, software proficiency (e.g., Photoshop)
Work EnvironmentResearch teams, media agencies, stock image companiesPublishing houses, media outlets, advertising agencies

While both roles involve working with images, an Image Researcher focuses on sourcing and rights clearance, whereas a Photo Editor handles editing and preparing images for final use. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the visual media industry.

What's the highest paying photography job?

Commercial photographers, especially those working in advertising, fashion, or product photography, tend to have the highest salaries in the photography field. Successful photographers with specialized skills, high-profile clients, or extensive experience can earn six-figure incomes, often by working on large-scale projects or in a freelance capacity with premium rates.

How to become an image researcher?

To become an image researcher, you typically need a background in fields like visual arts, media studies, or information science, along with strong research and analytical skills. Proficiency in image editing tools, online databases, and image licensing is also important, and some roles may require a bachelor's degree or related experience in research or media production.
More about Image Researcher jobs
What states have the most Image Researcher jobs? States with the most job openings for Image Researcher jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Image Researcher jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Image Researcher jobs are:
Image Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Image Researcher job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Image Scientist 263

Freedom Technology Solutions Group

Springfield, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Freedom Technology Solutions Group is seeking an Image Scientist. The  Image Scientist (IS) will serve as a technical specialist for research, evaluation and verification of highly complex image and video processing systems for geospatial intelligence sensors, systems, and applications. The IS will provide expert-level consultation, problem solving, and verification for all GEOINT quality assessments, studies, and standards. The IS will provide detailed recommendations and risk assessments to Government and technical leadership. The IS will design, develop, evaluate, and verify the implementation of complex image processing software products, algorithms, and workflows. The IS will mentor and guide junior image scientists in the development of criteria for testing algorithm and system's cognitive performance objectively from an end-user perspective, as well as perform evaluation and testing on simulated and operational data.

Required Qualifications:

  • Active TS/SCI with the ability to obtain a Poly
  • Master's degree/PhD in Imaging Science, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics or quantitative science field and 10 years of experience as a Image Scientist
  • Demonstrated knowledge of digital imaging systems principles and practices
  • Experience supporting the development, testing, and analysis of image collection systems
  • Experience applying engineering standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques to solve complex problems associated with image product formation from raw sensor and associated metadata
  • Experience or working knowledge with advanced photogrammetric techniques and principles
  • Experience performing image system simulations to produce realistic test data to support system validation and testing
  • Experience or demonstrated ability to develop, assess, and implement Image Quality Equations
  • Experience building image processing algorithms
  • Experience programming in Matlab and/or Python, C++, or other equivalent programming languages
  • Experience analyzing and assessing quality of image data across the full-range of sensor types, sources, and phenomenology's

Junior Level:

  • Graduation from and accredited Image Science program at a university or military training program.  
  • Basic understanding of simulation and modeling techniques or the image creation process.  
  • Working knowledge of imagery systems to include basic types of PAN, IR, and RADAR.  
  • Working knowledge of various basic ELTs, Matlab, and mathematics/equations/functions.  
  • Basic knowledge of sensor types to include airborne, space-borne, and FMV.  
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.  
  • Basic oral and written communication skills.

Mid Level:

All the junior level experience plus:

  • Experience with creation of imagery evaluations, image quality studies, new product/sensor initializations, product algorithm assessments, and the development of image quality equations.  
  • Working knowledge and practical application of modeling components of the image creation path to include sensor, detector, atmospheric, and material properties.
  • Experience with imaging systems to include PAN, IR, MSI/HSI, RADAR, and LIDAR, on both space or airborne platforms.  
  • Simulation and modeling experience and ability to develop algorithm description documentation for software development.  
  • Familiarity with current GEOINT systems, products and development, as well as exploitation software packages such as all ELTs, AGITK, and other software plug-ins or applications necessary to develop test and verification methodologies.
  • Typically reports to a manager, work is independent yet collaborative.

Senior Level:

All the junior and mid Level experience plus:

  • Ability to develop and lead any large-scale evaluations to include, but not limited to, image quality studies, new product/sensor initializations, product algorithm assessments, back to operations reviews, and the development of image quality equations (IQEs).  
  • Full image processing and digital signal processing experience.
  • Image chain analysis to include atmospheric modeling, signal quality and noise, optics, detector calibration, and image processing of pixel data to display radiometrically correct values.
  • Application of error estimation for thermometric and material identification products.  
  • Understanding and application of image quality standards such as NIIRS scales and metrics.  
  • Significant applied knowledge of sensor imaging systems, products, and exploitation processes.  
  • Strong understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle to include independent testing and data verification.  
  • Strong written and oral communication skills to include briefing and creation of presentations.  
  • Self-starter with ability to learn, research, and solve problems with on their own accord.
  • Work is highly independent and you may assume a lead role.

Apply