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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$110K - $130K *

Contribute to innovative solutions in the utility sector, supporting AMI projects through expert integration, mentoring, and alignment of technology with business needs. Champion industry standards an...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$145K - $175K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Data Architect, where you'll shape enterprise data architecture, drive data lifecycle strategies, and ensure governance while collaborating with engineering teams to en...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $110K *

Analyze diverse research projects to provide actionable insights for leadership. Collaborate with a dynamic team, utilizing AI tools and your curiosity to tackle complex questions and deliver clear, c...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Lead engineering efforts by writing production code and mentoring a team. Drive modernization initiatives through Java microservices while managing performance and growth of engineers. Collaborate wit...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$175K - $200K *

Lead the charge in developing integrated media strategies and client partnerships across pharmaceutical and life sciences accounts, driving business growth and ensuring exceptional delivery and client...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $250K *

Transform the legal landscape by leading regulatory strategies in healthcare, managing compliance, and advising on critical legal matters, while building and shaping a high-performing legal function w...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $165K *

Oversee full lifecycle of U.S. government programs, managing stakeholders and technical details to ensure timely delivery and compliance. Forge trust with clients while leading multiple complex projec...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Engage in pivotal regulatory activities and drive compliance strategies supporting late-stage clinical development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality submissions and navig...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $195K *

Innovate with us to develop and deploy cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance advertising measurement products. Collaborate across teams to drive impactful data-driven decisions and expand our capabil...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$203K - $366K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic global team in engineering strategy and execution for cutting-edge IAM solutions, ensuring high performance and top-tier quality standards across cloud technol...

Cambridge, MARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $145K *

Strategize initiatives to enhance workforce alignment and Agile practices, driving high performance in IT services for federal clients while fostering a collaborative culture and supporting strategic...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $269K *

Join a team that's transforming AI capabilities by managing data collection and workflows. You'll drive strategy, optimize processes, and collaborate across functions to enhance model accuracy and eff...

California, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $145K *

Shape government funding strategies by partnering with sector leaders to identify and secure opportunities that align with research priorities, enhancing organizational impact through effective captur...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $281K *

Lead the charge in shaping detection and response strategies, driving hands-on initiatives to enhance security architecture and incident management. Collaborate across teams to ensure robust threat de...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$261K - $346K *

Lead the charge in clinical pharmacology strategies for rare disease and oncology programs, driving innovative solutions, study designs, and regulatory interactions to expedite drug development and im...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Grow your career with a senior leadership role driving a high-performing project management team, ensuring successful execution of clinical studies while managing resources, performance, and client sa...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $130K *

Drive client growth by leveraging data-driven insights to enhance strategic relationships and deliver impactful solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to achieve measurable outcomes and ensure clie...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $180K *

Lead the charge in managing a high-performing Distributed Research team, defining strategy and collaboration for large-scale data collection, while enhancing operational processes and ensuring impactf...

Boston, MARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $115K *

Unlock your potential as an IT Security Analyst, collaborating directly with federal cybersecurity teams to strengthen security posture, drive compliance, and manage risks in a dynamic environment cri...

Stennis Space Center, MSRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$121K - $132K *

Engage as a key technical leader in enterprise AI/ML architecture, collaborating with clients to design scalable solutions. Drive AI development and deployment, ensuring alignment with business needs...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform enterprise data into valuable insights while leading AI-powered product strategies. Drive cross-functional collaboration to deliver secure, innovative, and measurable data capabilities that...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$107K - $190K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge software for advanced atomic force microscopes. Lead algorithm design and implementation, transforming complex data into actionable insights while collabora...

Santa Barbara, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Transform product security by leading strategy, conducting threat modeling, and collaborating across teams to ensure secure design and compliance. Drive innovation in security practices while mentorin...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $225K *

Transform engineering culture by empowering teams to excel, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation. Leverage your technical acumen to lead strategic initiatives and elevate team performance w...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$200K - $250K *

Champion growth strategies across HHS, leveraging deep market knowledge and relationships to drive business development, capture, and delivery in a dynamic federal health environment...

Washington, DCRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.