Senior Research Associate

Senior Research Associates in global development often rely on cost-effectiveness modeling and rigorous evidence review to guide impactful funding decisions, blending quantitative analysis with strategic judgment to evaluate programs' real-world benefits.

Mastery in economic modeling empowers Research Associates to predict intervention outcomes accurately, enabling them to prioritize funding that maximizes social impact and supports data-driven resource allocation within grantmaking bodies.

Advancing from Senior Research Associate positions often leads to roles like Research Manager, Policy Analyst, or Senior Scientist, where individuals leverage their analytical skills to influence broader strategic decisions and policy development.

San Francisco hosts a vibrant research ecosystem, making the Senior Research Associate role moderately competitive, especially with top institutions seeking candidates who blend advanced economic analysis and global policy insight.

Given San Francisco’s high living expenses, Senior Research Associate salaries typically reflect these costs with above-average compensation packages designed to attract and retain top-tier research talent.

At the American Economic Association, Senior Research Associates directly impact funding for global health initiatives, blending academic rigor with real-world application, which creates a unique blend of scholarly influence and tangible societal benefits.

The association fosters leadership by involving Senior Research Associates in strategic decision-making and grant direction, encouraging autonomy in research agenda setting and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Salaries for Senior Research Associates in economic research in San Francisco generally range between $90,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on expertise, experience, and the organization’s funding scope.

Employers in this sector often sponsor work visas for qualified international candidates, facilitating relocation and sometimes covering related expenses, especially for roles demanding specialized research expertise.

Many such roles are increasingly remote-eligible, enabling Associates to collaborate virtually while accessing global datasets and stakeholders, with some organizations also maintaining physical offices for hybrid work preferences.