How to hire a research scientist: 316 companies are hiring now
What you compete with, counted from today’s 907 open research scientist postings: who is hiring, where, what they pay and how long postings stay up. Then six steps, each with a free template or tool.
- Companies hiring now
- 316
- Open postings
- 907
- Median advertised pay
- $250K
- Remote
- 15%
- Half are open for over
- 78 days
What you compete with
| Companies hiring this work now | 316: Anthropic (48), OpenAI (33), Mistral.ai (25), Waymo (21), PrimeIntellect (18), Isomorphic Labs (16) |
|---|---|
| Countries named most | 🇺🇸United States (598), 🇬🇧United Kingdom (85), 🇫🇷France (38), 🇸🇬Singapore (27), 🇨🇦Canada (16) |
| Pay advertised | $200K – $320K for the middle half; median $250K (459 postings with a yearly US-dollar range) |
| Postings that state pay | 55% |
| Where the work is done | Remote 15% · hybrid 15% · on site or not stated 70% |
| Experience asked | Median 4 years |
| Skills named most | Python (53%), Machine Learning (45%), LLM (36%), PyTorch (33%), AI (16%) |
| Benefits named most | Parental leave (23%), Equity (19%), Visa sponsorship (16%), Relocation support (14%) |
| How long postings stay up | Half of today’s open postings have been up more than 78 days |
Counted from the 907 open postings for this work on Nov 14, 2026, read from employers’ own careers pages and recounted on every update.
Six steps to hire a research scientist
- Set the pay range first. Today’s 459 research scientist postings that state a yearly US-dollar range offer $200K to $320K for the middle half. Three quarters of them offer more than the lower figure. 55% of the postings state pay; in several US states and EU countries the law requires it. See research scientist pay in detail.
- Write the description. Start from the research scientist job description template, then check it with the job description checker: the pay, the place of work and the must-haves should be clear before the second paragraph.
- Decide where the person can work. 15% of today’s research scientist postings are remote and 15% hybrid. If yours is remote, name the countries or time zones; “remote” alone brings applications you cannot accept.
- Post it where people look. Post the job free on this site, add it to your own careers page and send it to people you know who do this work.
- Screen for the skills that matter. Today’s postings name Python, Machine Learning, LLM most often: check them in the work, not only in the resume. Score every candidate on the same points with the interview scorecard; the research scientist interview questions show what good candidates prepare for.
- Decide quickly. Half of today’s open research scientist postings have been up more than 78 days: a candidate who waits for your answer may be talking to other employers meanwhile. Tell every candidate when you will decide, and keep to it.
Questions about hiring research scientists
- How much does it cost to hire a research scientist?
- The pay is the largest part: today’s research scientist postings that state a yearly US-dollar range advertise a median of $250K. Add advertising, agency fees if you use one and the hours your team spends interviewing; the cost per hire calculator on this site adds them up. Posting on this site is free.
- How long does it take to hire a research scientist?
- Half of today’s open research scientist postings have been up more than 78 days. A posting can close before the person starts, so plan for a few weeks more.
- Where can I find research scientists?
- 316 companies are hiring research scientists on this site today. Post your job here free, on your own careers page and in communities where research scientists meet; the table on this page lists the countries named most in today’s postings.
Everything about research scientist work
See also: research scientist job description template · 907 open research scientist jobs · cost per hire calculator · all hiring guides