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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$110K - $130K *

Elevate global post-market surveillance by leading a team focused on safety, compliance, and performance of medical devices. Drive field actions, analyze data, and collaborate cross-functionally to en...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$195K - $307K *

Drive cross-organizational alignment and optimize engineering operations as a trusted advisor to leadership. Leverage deep technical expertise to evaluate complex architectures and ensure strategic in...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock innovative AI/ML solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, conducting research, and deploying production-grade microservices. Drive impactful projects with ownership and contribut...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$106K - $122K *

Advance global immunization efforts by managing strategic partnerships and implementing evidence-based solutions to enhance vaccine demand and delivery in low and middle-income countries, focusing on...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advancing healthcare through innovative HEOR and RWE projects. Collaborate with external partners to deliver actionable insights, utilizing advanced methodologies to tackle complex...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Pioneer a data-driven future by leading product strategy for data science solutions. Drive innovation, oversee development, and ensure alignment with business goals to deliver impactful analytics prod...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$119K - $163K *

Shape the future of AI safety by designing advanced systems and conducting rigorous evaluations. Utilize your expertise in AI to lead and innovate within a collaborative team, addressing complex chall...

Evanston, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of product development by leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with business goals and quality standards...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $195K *

Champion the future of clinical science by leading trial design, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure compliance with GCP and drive innovative solutions in rare disease research...

San Diego, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$162K - $238K *

Design and optimize R&D operations to enhance organizational effectiveness through data-driven insights, collaboration, and governance. Partner cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement and e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Advance next-gen forecasting by developing core architecture for in-core data assimilation in Earth system models. Collaborate with scientists and engineers to enhance model capabilities and ensure ro...

College Park, MDRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$140K - $165K *

Elevate project management excellence by leading complex pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, mentoring teams, and ensuring strategic alignment with client objectives while driving operational success...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $150K *

Seeking an experienced cybersecurity professional to lead control assessments, ensuring consistent application of methodologies and quality oversight across multiple clients while mentoring assessors...

Charleston, SCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$146K - $234K *

Lead innovative research in autonomous systems, shaping solutions for AI challenges. Collaborate with diverse teams, define research programs, and engage with customers to deliver cutting-edge technol...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Transform compliance through AI-driven strategies that continuously enhance IT governance, risk management, and regulatory adherence, ensuring operational efficiency and audit readiness across multipl...

Johnson City, TNRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$101K - $197K *

Empower your career by leading global regulatory strategies for medical devices and diagnostics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and drive market access while mentoring ot...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Empower clients by leading the implementation of innovative solutions, ensuring successful adoption and integration of Omnissa Workspace ONE. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive business outcomes...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$163K - $204K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative machine learning methods for cancer detection, collaborating with experts, and mentoring junior scientists to advance research in multi-cancer early detection us...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$225K - $324K *

Accelerate growth by leading global enablement initiatives that empower sellers, engineers, and partners. Drive strategic programs, enhance skills, and ensure readiness for a multi-product platform in...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$466K - $500K+*

Elevate your career by designing and deploying ML models that transform advertiser requests into optimized media plans, collaborating with a dynamic team to drive innovation and enhance decision-makin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$160K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading data-driven insights to enhance patient access to medications. Collaborate with diverse teams to execute innovative analytics that inform health plans, improve medication e...

Denver, CORemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Contribute to cloud migration efforts by designing secure, scalable Azure architectures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions for mission-critical healthcare applica...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $140K *

Lead the charge in transforming healthcare through cloud solutions, driving modernization and interoperability initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design secure, scalable Azure arc...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by leading customer discovery and product definition. Drive cross-functional collaboration to translate insights into actionable requirements, manage product backlogs, and delive...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Join a dynamic team to oversee portfolio health, ensuring quality and operational alignment across studies. Drive performance visibility, manage risks, and facilitate client governance while fostering...

Johnson City, TNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.