1

Senior Research Librarian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Research Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

More about the Institute for Justice's SR Team:IJ's Strategic Research team creates social science ... on a library shelf collecting dust. We put our researchto workby combining it with IJ's unique ...

Senior Research Associate

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$108K - $135K/yr

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Research Associate with a strong focus on process ... Strong understanding of the chemistry underlying nucleic acid extraction, PCR, NGS library ...

... senior librarians as needed. o Develop faculty research support skills. Library Instruction and Information Literacy: o Help prepare and deliver instructional sessions, workshops, and orientations on ...

Reference Librarian

Washington, DC · On-site

$48K - $58K/yr

... senior librarians as needed. o Develop faculty research support skills. • Library Instruction and Information Literacy: o Help prepare and deliver instructional sessions, workshops, and ...

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking an accomplished Senior Research Seismologist to ... and scientific libraries, MATLAB, Linux shell scripting, C/C++/Fortran/Julia or other high ...

Job Title Senior Research Scientist Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Biochemistry ... of drug library. High-throughput drug screens. Assist with laboratory management of stocks ...

Senior Research Associate

Austin, TX · On-site

$69K - $87K/yr

The Product Development Sr. Research Associate will contribute to the design, execution and ... Hands-on experience with NGS library preparation and Illumina sequencing platforms is highly ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Research Librarian information

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior research librarian jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior research librarian in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior research librarian do?

A Senior Research Librarian is an experienced information professional who manages and oversees research services within libraries or information centers. Their responsibilities include conducting advanced research, curating and organizing resources, training library staff, and supporting the information needs of users such as students, faculty, or corporate clients. They may also develop research strategies, evaluate digital resources, and collaborate with other institutions. Senior Research Librarians often take on leadership roles and contribute to policy development and strategic planning within the library.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a senior research librarian?

To thrive as a Senior Research Librarian, you need advanced research skills, expertise in information management, a master’s degree in library science (MLS/MLIS), and significant experience in academic or specialized library settings. Familiarity with research databases, cataloging systems, digital repositories, and citation management tools is crucial. Outstanding communication, analytical thinking, and leadership abilities help build strong relationships with patrons and manage library teams. These competencies ensure that information resources are effectively organized, accessed, and disseminated to support research and institutional goals.

How does a senior research librarian collaborate with academic staff and researchers?

Senior Research Librarians often serve as key partners for academic staff and researchers by providing specialized research assistance, curating subject-specific resources, and offering guidance on information literacy. They may collaborate on grant proposals, systematic reviews, and data management plans, ensuring researchers have access to the latest and most relevant materials. Regular communication and participation in faculty meetings or research groups are common, helping to align library services with the evolving needs of the academic community.

What is the difference between Senior Research Librarian vs Research Librarian?

AspectSenior Research LibrarianResearch Librarian
Required CredentialsMaster's degree in Library Science (MLS or MLIS), experience in research supportMaster's degree in Library Science (MLS or MLIS), entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic, research institutions, specialized librariesPublic, academic, or special libraries, research centers
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education, research organizations, government agenciesUniversities, public libraries, corporate research departments
Search & Comparison IntentHigher-level research support, leadership rolesGeneral research assistance, library services

The main difference between a Senior Research Librarian and a Research Librarian lies in experience and responsibilities. Senior Research Librarians typically have more advanced skills, leadership duties, and work in specialized or higher education settings. Research Librarians are often entry to mid-level professionals providing research support across various library environments.

More about Senior Research Librarian jobs

What cities are hiring for Senior Research Librarian jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Research Librarian job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Librarian jobs?

The most popular types of Research Librarian jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Research Librarian jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Research Librarian jobs include:

Infographic showing various Senior Research Librarian job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Senior Research Analyst

Institute for Justice

Arlington, VA • On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Do you want to use your empirical research skills to advance individual rights? This is what the Institute for Justice's Strategic Research team does every day, creating data-driven research used by journalists, lawmakers, advocates, and courts to bring light to government abuse and achieve reform. We are seeking entrepreneurial researchers to join our team in leadership roles. Title is negotiable to reflect research and managerial skills and experience.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Developing and executing research plans on a wide range of cutting-edge topics, such as civil forfeiture, occupational licensing, qualified immunity, zoning/housing, and 4th Amendment rights.
    • Working closely with IJ attorneys and researchers to generate research questions that advance our issues and to identify the strongest methods to answer them.
    • Finding datasets or creative ways to build them, as well as managing data collection.
    • Manipulating and analyzing large datasets with both descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as drafting and managing surveys.
    • Mining research literature for new ideas, potential collaborators, and methodological insights.
    • Leading both solo and team projects.
  • Managing and mentoring junior researchers and assistants to maintain high standards of accuracy, methodological rigor, and integrity.
  • Ensuring research findings reach key audiences, such as journalists and lawmakers, to bring important issues to prominence and create policy change.
    • Writing clear, accessible reports for general audiences, as well as articles for peer-reviewed journals.
    • Conducting media interviews; testifying before legislatures and city councils; writing media materials, such as op-eds and letters to the editor; speaking at public events.
    • Strategizing with IJ's communications, legislative, activism, and research teams to maximize distribution and impact.

Qualifications:
  • Strong background in research design and statistical analysis, preferably including managing project teams:
    • Ph.D. in social sciences or statistics with an emphasis on research methods, applied statistics, or applied economics; or master's degree in applied statistics or applied economics with three years' experience.
    • Experience conducting original analytical research, such as with a policy institute, in alegislative, executive, or regulatory role, orthrough a university-based research center.
    • Strong skills with statistical software such as Stata; proficiency with Python, R, or GIS is helpful.
  • Proficient in using descriptive and inferential analysis to answer research questions.
  • Demonstrated ability to generate research ideas, develop research plans, and manage projects to completion.
  • Experience with both original data collection (whether through public records requests, web scraping, document review, or other means) and use of datasets from government or non-governmental sources preferred.
  • Capable of identifying relevant scholarly and non-scholarly literature to generate research ideas and solve methodological problems.
  • Experience managing junior researchers and ensuring accurate and high-quality products.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially for non-technical audiences.
  • Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
  • Self-motivation and enthusiasm for collaboration.
  • Passion for IJ's mission of championing property rights, economic liberty, free speech, and educational choice.

Benefits:
  • Hybrid work schedule
  • Flexible work hours with our core business hours of 10am and 4pm
  • Smart casual dress code; casual Fridays
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
  • Free Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance plans
  • HSA employer contributions
  • 401(k) with employer matches
  • Generous PTO including a paid personal day and 12 paid holidays

To apply, please submit a resume, a writing sample, and a cover letter detailing why you are interested in working at IJ. We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.
This position is posted at the Senior Analyst level with a salary range of $120,000-$130,000. This range reflects required qualifications; candidates with additional relevant experience or skills may be considered outside of this range.
More about the Institute for Justice's SR Team:IJ's Strategic Research team creates social science and policy research, but our studies don't just sit on a library shelf collecting dust. We put our researchto workby combining it with IJ's unique brand of cutting-edge litigation, award-winning communications and top-notch activism and legislative outreach. Our studies have been cited by theWhite Houseand theU.S. SupremeCourt, as well asleadingnewsoutletsnationwide. They have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals. Our work helped certify a victorious class action lawsuit against Philadelphia'scivil forfeiture machine, ensure the return of cashwrongfully seizedby the IRS, roll backneedless occupational licensing, dismantle speech-squelchingcampaign finance laws, and protect programs that empowerparents to choosethe best schools for their children.
#LI-Hybrid
IJ is an equal opportunity employer.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At IJ we value a diverse workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
To learn more about our culture and benefits, visit our Working at IJ page. No phone calls please.
#LI-Hybrid