Explore Chief Scientist Jobs

Chief Scientists guide an organization’s scientific vision, research strategy, and technical innovation. These senior leaders help turn complex research into meaningful products, services, and discoveries while advising executives on scientific opportunities and risks. Explore vetted Chief Scientist opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does a Chief Scientist Do?

Responsibilities vary by organization and industry, but commonly include setting research priorities, leading multidisciplinary teams, overseeing experiments and development programs, evaluating emerging technologies, and communicating findings to business and government leaders. Chief Scientists may also shape research budgets, build partnerships with universities or laboratories, and ensure that work meets ethical, regulatory, and quality standards.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek a strong record of scientific achievement, deep expertise in a relevant discipline, and experience leading research teams or complex programs. A doctoral degree is common in many fields, though requirements depend on the role. Strategic thinking, clear communication, collaboration, and the ability to connect scientific evidence with organizational goals are valuable across industries.

Industries and Career Opportunities

Chief Scientist roles are available in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing. Titles and reporting structures differ: some positions focus on fundamental research, while others lead applied science, product development, or enterprise-wide innovation.

Find Chief Scientist Roles on Ladders

Use Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Review each listing’s responsibilities, qualifications, location, and compensation details to identify roles that fit your expertise and leadership goals.

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$125K - $150K *

Develop and implement healthcare compliance programs, ensuring adherence to regulations and best practices. Collaborate cross-functionally to educate teams, conduct audits, and manage compliance risks...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Architect innovative laboratory solutions by designing, developing, and deploying clinical applications. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance workflows and ensure seamless integration, driving ope...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$76K - $199K *

Drive your career with a dynamic role focused on sales growth and customer engagement in the healthcare sector. Utilize your analytical skills and product knowledge to develop strategies that enhance...

Florida, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $195K *

Join a dynamic team to lead and manage clinical trials, ensuring timely execution and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional partners and vendors to drive operational success in immunology rese...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career by leading AI initiatives that drive business growth and operational efficiency. Collaborate across functions to embed AI into Rho's core operations, shaping a future where AI en...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$156K - $195K *

Champion the global eDiscovery Technology practice, leading a diverse team to innovate AI-assisted workflows, ensuring defensibility and quality across jurisdictions while driving growth and operation...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$150K - $215K *

Champion strategic sales initiatives by leading a high-performing pod, driving complex SaaS partnerships with top law firms, and fostering executive-level relationships to enhance client engagement an...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's advancing oncology solutions by managing global clinical trials. Lead project execution from protocol development to study closeout, ensuring quality and compliance while fostering...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in optimizing operations and driving strategic initiatives across teams, partnering closely with executives to achieve transformative objectives that enhance innovation and process eff...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$153K - $166K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI governance in software development. As a Senior Engineer, you'll design policies and tools that ensure safe, effective use of AI coding agents, empowering d...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $180K *

Drive operational excellence by managing the leadership team's cadence, metrics, and contract operations. This hands-on role blends business judgment with execution, ensuring alignment and efficiency...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$175K - $218K *

Join a team that's redefining revenue growth through innovative ML solutions. As a Lead Data Scientist, you'll drive impactful monetization strategies for millions of users, collaborating across teams...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$133K - $190K *

Innovate in machine learning and AI by conducting research on large-scale models, developing methodologies, and collaborating with teams to enhance personalization systems and user experiences...

New York, NYRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$175K - $210K *

Lead global field operations, driving strategy and execution across sales, technical services, and partner functions. Collaborate with senior leadership to optimize pipeline management, forecasting, a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $100K *

Transform software delivery by managing cross-functional teams, aligning sprints, and optimizing project timelines. Drive clarity in processes and foster collaboration to ensure successful product exe...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $140K *

Join our dynamic team to drive business development across Federal Agencies, leveraging relationships and strategic insights to secure new contracts and enhance growth. Collaborate with diverse teams...

Rockville, MDRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $198K *

Champion advanced AI research by leading safety studies in NLP, CV, and more. Drive innovation through independent testing, proposal development, and collaborative efforts. Play a vital role in public...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $170K *

Shape the success of enterprise health systems by leading full implementations. Collaborate cross-functionally to manage project lifecycles, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth transitions to customer s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$144K - $205K *

Elevate the quality and impact of AP Social Science courses by leading a diverse team, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring assessment integrity. Collaborate across departments to enhance stude...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$200K - $232K *

Unlock potential by leading legal reviews for promotional and medical materials. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and provide practical guidance in a fast-paced environment, supporting pr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$228K - $403K *

Transform your career by leading a dynamic team in AI solutions, driving technical excellence, and shaping strategic partnerships with frontier AI labs to tackle complex data challenges...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $250K *

Lead the charge in building high-throughput systems as you manage a team of engineers. Drive technical excellence and team growth while collaborating across functions to deliver innovative solutions i...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $190K *

Champion the development and oversight of scientific content across diverse therapeutic areas while managing client relationships and brand strategy for multiple accounts, ensuring high-quality and im...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Empower engineering teams to innovate and deliver high-quality SaaS products. Lead technical direction, enhance system architecture, and foster collaboration across teams to drive user-centric solutio...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of executive recruitment by leading strategic sourcing, engaging high-level candidates, and collaborating with a dedicated team to uncover top talent. This role offers growth opportun...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Chief Scientist do?question toggle

    A Chief Scientist leads or advises an organization’s research and scientific strategy. The role may include setting priorities, managing research teams, evaluating new technologies, overseeing development programs, and communicating scientific findings to senior leaders.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Chief Scientist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements depend on the field and employer. Many positions call for advanced expertise, a strong record of research or innovation, and experience leading teams or programs. A Ph.D. is common in some scientific disciplines, while other roles may value equivalent industry experience.

  • Which industries hire Chief Scientists?question toggle

    Chief Scientists work in fields including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing.

  • How much do Chief Scientists earn?question toggle

    Compensation varies by industry, location, organization, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for available salary information.

  • How can I find Chief Scientist jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Chief Scientist listings on Ladders and review each role’s salary information, responsibilities, location, and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your background.