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Staff Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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AI Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Staff Research Scientist: $228-310K; Principal Research Scientist: $275-350K We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications ...

Collate

AI Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Staff Research Scientist: $228-310K; Principal Research Scientist: $275-350K We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications ...

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Staff Research Scientist information

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$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do staff research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff research scientist in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a staff research scientist?

Staff Research Scientists are experienced professionals who lead and contribute to advanced research projects within organizations such as universities, private companies, or government agencies. They often serve as technical experts, guiding research direction, mentoring junior scientists, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. Their responsibilities include designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing findings, and sometimes securing funding. Staff Research Scientists play a critical role in driving innovation and advancing knowledge in their field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a staff research scientist?

To thrive as a Staff Research Scientist, you need advanced expertise in scientific research methods, data analysis, and a relevant PhD or equivalent experience in your field. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, programming languages (such as Python or R), and experience with data management systems or research software is typically required. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to communicate complex ideas clearly are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure rigorous scientific outcomes, effective collaboration, and the advancement of innovative research projects.

What are some common challenges faced by staff research scientists when leading cross-functional research projects?

Staff Research Scientists often encounter challenges such as aligning project goals across multiple departments, managing diverse stakeholder expectations, and ensuring effective communication between research, engineering, and product teams. Balancing long-term research objectives with immediate business needs can also be complex. Success in this role typically involves strong leadership, adaptability, and the ability to translate scientific findings into actionable outcomes for the organization.

What is the difference between Staff Research Scientist vs Research Scientist?

AspectStaff Research ScientistResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in relevant field, extensive research experienceMaster's or PhD, entry to mid-level research experience
Work EnvironmentAdvanced research teams, often in industry or academiaResearch teams, labs, or academic settings
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, biotech firmsUniversities, research labs, industry R&D

The main difference is that a Staff Research Scientist typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and contributes to strategic research initiatives, whereas a Research Scientist is often in an earlier stage of their research career focusing on executing experiments and data analysis.

Do staff research scientists need PhD?

Staff research scientists typically hold a PhD in a relevant field such as science, engineering, or computer science. A doctoral degree is often required due to the advanced research skills and expertise needed for the role, though some positions may accept extensive industry experience in lieu of a PhD. Strong analytical skills, publication record, and experience with research tools are also important.

What cities are hiring for Staff Research Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Staff Research Scientist job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Staff Research Scientist jobs?

The top employers for Staff Research Scientist jobs are:

What states have the most Staff Research Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Staff Research Scientist jobs include:

Staff Research Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Research Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Staff Research Scientist, Google Research

Google

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 247 rated software companies

Job description

Minimum qualifications:
  • PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 4 years of experience with research agendas across multiple teams or projects.
  • One or more scientific publication submission(s) for conferences, journals, or public repositories.

Preferred qualifications:
  • 2 years of experience in coding and leading multiple research efforts and influencing research direction.

About the job
As an organization, Google maintains a portfolio of research projects driven by fundamental research, new product innovation, product contribution and infrastructure goals, while providing individuals and teams the freedom to emphasize specific types of work. As a Research Scientist, you'll setup large-scale tests and deploy promising ideas quickly and broadly, managing deadlines and deliverables while applying the latest theories to develop new and improved products, processes, or technologies. From creating experiments and prototyping implementations to designing new architectures, our research scientists work on real-world problems that span the breadth of computer science, such as machine (and deep) learning, data mining, natural language processing, hardware and software performance analysis, improving compilers for mobile platforms, as well as core search and much more.
As a Research Scientist, you'll also actively contribute to the wider research community by sharing and publishing your findings, with ideas inspired by internal projects as well as from collaborations with research programs at partner universities and technical institutes all over the world.
Google Research is building the next generation of intelligent systems for all Google products. To achieve this, we're working on projects that utilize the latest computer science techniques developed by skilled software developers and research scientists. Google Research teams collaborate closely with other teams across Google, maintaining the flexibility and versatility required to adapt new projects and foci that meet the demands of the world's fast-paced business needs.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $207000 - $301000 (USD) 20% bonus target equity benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .
Responsibilities
  • Author research papers to share and generate impact of research results across organization and in the research community.
  • Assist in research growth by sharing research trends and best practices within the community by reviewing academic papers, and serving on program committees and grant panels.
  • Deliver on large portions of a project by defining the data structure, framework, design, and evaluation metrics for research solution development and implementation. Identify timelines and obtain resources needed.
  • Identify new and upcoming research areas by interacting with potential external and internal collaborators. Develop long-term research strategy and plans to expand the impact of Google research.
  • Identify complex but defined problems/gaps in existing technology and engage stakeholders and leaders to address them.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy .
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .
If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .
Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.
To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.

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