How to hire a research scientist

How to hire a research scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step research scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a research scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new research scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a research scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the research scientist you need to hire. Certain research scientist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A research scientist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, research scientists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents research scientist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Research Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Research Scientist	Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.	$27-65
   Chemist	Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter... Show more	$22-43
   Research Laboratory Technician	Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members... Show more	$14-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • Data Analysis
   • Patients
   • C++
   • Research Projects
   • Chemistry
   • Java
   • Molecular Biology
   • Data Collection
   • Cell Culture
   • TensorFlow
   • Visualization
   • Excellent Interpersonal
   • Laboratory Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
   • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
   • Used real-time PCR and DNA sequencing to troubleshoot and validate SNP base and gene expression assays.
   • Prepare clear technical presentations to NIH department heads in annual seminars.
   • Analyze chromatin dynamics during primordial germ cell specification with a CRISPR mouse model.
   • Identify impurities in final drug by LCMS and reject impurities with ethanol/water swish.

   More research scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your research scientist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A research scientist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a research scientist in Utah may be lower than in California, and an entry-level research scientist usually earns less than a senior-level research scientist. Additionally, a research scientist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average research scientist salary

   $89,998yearly

   $43.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level research scientist salary

   $58,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

   Average research scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$124,477	$60
   2	Indiana	$98,052	$47
   3	New Jersey	$92,744	$45
   4	Tennessee	$91,185	$44
   5	Delaware	$87,528	$42
   6	Washington	$81,884	$39
   7	Oregon	$81,025	$39
   8	Massachusetts	$80,225	$39
   9	New York	$76,678	$37
   10	District of Columbia	$76,649	$37
   11	Pennsylvania	$76,389	$37
   12	Illinois	$74,316	$36
   13	Wisconsin	$72,316	$35
   14	Michigan	$70,511	$34
   15	North Carolina	$67,854	$33
   16	Ohio	$65,791	$32
   17	Virginia	$64,368	$31
   18	Colorado	$62,187	$30
   19	Georgia	$53,796	$26
   20	Missouri	$51,658	$25

   Average research scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Lyft	$175,144	$84.20	5
   2	Flexport	$174,532	$83.91
   3	Meta	$171,477	$82.44	754
   4	Netflix	$168,720	$81.12	12
   5	StubHub	$167,700	$80.63	9
   6	Google	$167,427	$80.49	219
   7	DoorDash	$166,792	$80.19	7
   8	eBay	$166,231	$79.92	6
   9	Waymo	$163,156	$78.44	26
   10	NVIDIA	$162,497	$78.12	64
   11	ByteDance	$162,333	$78.04
   12	Instacart	$161,968	$77.87	2
   13	Microsoft	$160,153	$77.00	308
   14	Grubhub	$159,808	$76.83
   15	Didi Chuxing	$156,104	$75.05
   16	PayPal	$155,323	$74.67	11
   17	Uber Technologies	$154,475	$74.27	3
   18	LinkedIn	$151,867	$73.01	7
   19	Apple	$149,805	$72.02	99
   20	Neuralink IT Solutions	$149,601	$71.92	2

4. Writing a research scientist job description

   A research scientist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a research scientist job description:

   Research scientist job description example

   Master’s Degree from an accredited institution with three-plus (3+) years of experience in related scientific discipline, OR Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution with seven-plus (7+) years of experience in related scientific discipline or equivalent experience in related field

   Supplemental technical courses in area of expertise

   Ability to operate laboratory equipment with independence

   Ability to draft technical reports

   Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills

   Concise and accurate reporting of technical data and interpretation thereof

   Proven problem-solving ability

   Able to act for supervisor in his/her absence

   Appropriate level of understanding of applicable regulations

   Industry experience preferred

   Eligibility Requirements\:

   Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.

   Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required)

   Must be 18 years of age or older

   This position will require individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious accommodation. Click here for more information on the vaccine mandate and COVID-19.

   Who We Are\:

   At Boehringer Ingelheim we create value through innovation with one clear goal\: to improve the lives of patients. We develop breakthrough therapies and innovative healthcare solutions in areas of unmet medical need for both humans and animals. As a family owned company we focus on long term performance. We are powered by 50.000 employees globally who nurture a diverse, collaborative and inclusive culture. Learning and development for all employees is key because your growth is our growth.

   Want to learn more? Visit boehringer-ingelheim.com and join us in our effort to make more health.

   Boehringer Ingelheim is an equal opportunity global employer who takes pride in maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture. We embrace diversity of perspectives and strive for an inclusive environment, which benefits our employees, patients and communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person’s actual or perceived race, including natural hairstyles, hair texture and protective hairstyles; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; citizenship status, marital status; gender, gender identity or expression; sexual orientation, mental, physical or intellectual disability, veteran status; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find research scientists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any research scientists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level research scientists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your research scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit research scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit research scientists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new research scientist

   Once you've found the research scientist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new research scientist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a research scientist?