To become a research fellow, you typically need a postdoctoral degree in your particular field or specialty and some experience in a management position or with managing projects. It is essential that you have excellent verbal and written communication skills for writing and presenting funding proposals and results. Some jobs require you to have additional peer-reviewed publications, extensive knowledge of research techniques and methodologies, and the ability to secure competitive and independent funding. You may also need to understand how to work well with both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Additional qualifications include strong analytical and data visualization skills, as well as the ability to work with large datasets.

If you are interested in a job related to Research Fellow, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Research Fellow Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Research Fellow positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Material Science Postdoc
Salary range: $61,500 - $84,000
Material Science Postdoc is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Material Science Postdoc jobs pay between $61,500 (25th percentile) and $84,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Material Science Postdoc job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Research Scholar
Salary range: $71,000 - $88,500
A research scholar is a college student or graduate who works on projects in a specific field for a university or organization. As a research scholar, you work with professors and other professionals in your field of study and focus on uncovering new information that can be published in academic or trade journals. Research scholars are often paid a stipend for a set period of time.
National Research Group
Salary range: $37,500 - $99,500
National Research Group is a typical job search query Most salaries for National Research Group jobs pay between $37,500 (25th percentile) and $99,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for National Research Group job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Flourish Research
Salary range: $37,500 - $82,500
Flourish Research is a common job search query. Most salaries for Flourish Research jobs pay between $37,500 (25th percentile) and $82,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Flourish Research job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Phenotype
Salary range: $339,500 - $400,000
Phenotype is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Phenotype jobs pay between $339,500 (25th percentile) and $400,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Phenotype job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Soil Science Postdoctoral
Salary range: $49,000 - $66,500
Soil Science Postdoctoral is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Soil Science Postdoctoral jobs pay between $49,000 (25th percentile) and $66,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Soil Science Postdoctoral job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Ai Research Phd
Salary range: $104,000 - $104,000
Ai Research Phd is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Ai Research Phd jobs pay between $104,000 (25th percentile) and $104,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Ai Research Phd job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Research Scientist Epidemiology
Salary range: $107,500 - $173,000
Research Scientist Epidemiology is a typical job search query Most salaries for Research Scientist Epidemiology jobs pay between $107,500 (25th percentile) and $173,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Research Scientist Epidemiology job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Research Fellowship
Salary range: $40,000 - $81,500
Research Fellowship is a common job search query. Most salaries for Research Fellowship jobs pay between $40,000 (25th percentile) and $81,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Research Fellowship job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Literature Research Assistant
Salary range: $33,500 - $56,000
Literature Research Assistant is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Literature Research Assistant jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Literature Research Assistant job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Research Fellow Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Research Fellow Jobs in 2026