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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$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of AI Cybersecurity by providing technical leadership in evaluating, implementing, and operationalizing AI security solutions to protect against emerging threats while ensuring compli...

Washington, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $140K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of cybersecurity by leading strategic resilience initiatives. Drive risk management, incident response, and security architecture while collaborating with senior...

United StatesRemote

Today

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

$150K - $180K *

Elevate data privacy standards by leading a comprehensive privacy program. Collaborate across teams to integrate privacy-by-design principles, enhance data governance, and ensure compliance while enab...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $325K *

Unlock enterprise potential by leading strategic partnerships and driving market adoption within large health systems, ensuring clinical and economic integration of innovative health solutions. Transf...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $230K *

Drive impactful AI threat research marketing by transforming technical insights into compelling narratives. Collaborate with experts to enhance Cyera's authority and visibility in data security, while...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in engineering management, facilitating industry standards and guidance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical reports and oversee project execution while drivin...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$172K - $202K *

Unlock innovative insights and strategies in procurement and supply chain leadership. Collaborate with executives to drive actionable solutions, analyze market trends, and enhance client engagement th...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining strategic analysis in government contracting. Leverage your 15+ years of experience to lead price-to-win initiatives, build competitive models, and deliver insightful rec...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping high-impact strategies and narratives for enterprise growth. Collaborate with senior leaders to craft compelling pitches and support organic initiatives, driving success acr...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $200K *

Lead the charge in driving commercial activation and revenue growth for a multi-million-dollar portfolio, leveraging strategic insights and AI to enhance client engagement and deliver measurable resul...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$181K - $225K *

Lead the charge in operationalizing complex clinical studies globally, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance proposal development and manage global lab relationships, ensuring strategic...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$181K - $225K *

Lead the charge in advancing scientific operations within a dynamic team, driving global lab relationships and supporting complex clinical studies. Collaborate across functions to ensure strategic, op...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $236K *

Lead the charge in harnessing AI to transform customer experiences, driving enterprise solutions that enhance operational efficiency and measurable performance through strategic leadership and advance...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $195K *

Drive the development and execution of strategic projects for radioisotope production facilities. You will lead cross-functional teams to ensure operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and succe...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $155K *

Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by designing innovative fluid and power systems. As a Process Engineer, you'll drive the development and optimization of cutting-edge technologies in a f...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Transform healthcare insights by leading end-to-end quantitative market research. Collaborate with pharmaceutical teams to design impactful studies, analyze data, and deliver actionable recommendation...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $207K *

Join a team that's transforming risk data into actionable insights. Lead analytics and decision support initiatives, manage delivery roadmaps, and enhance team capabilities to drive effective risk man...

Philadelphia, PARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $194K *

Empower member success by managing relationships, delivering tailored solutions, and driving growth through strategic engagement and innovative service delivery in a dynamic IT environment...

New Jersey, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $135K *

Lead the charge in developing and managing enterprise proposals and plans, ensuring compliance and quality across submissions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance win strategies and dri...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$154K - $246K *

Join a dynamic team to lead advanced network planning initiatives, guiding strategic projects and shaping product roadmaps. Leverage your expertise to drive innovation in network optimization and ment...

Ottawa, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$90K *

Empower a culinary team to deliver exceptional food service in a healthcare setting. Lead menu development, ensure quality control, and foster a collaborative environment while enhancing patient satis...

Altoona, PARemote

1 week ago

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

$96K - $101K *

Empower domestic workers by leading impactful research initiatives that inform advocacy and policy development. Drive strategic research agendas, mentor a dedicated team, and collaborate with diverse...

United StatesRemote

Today

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

$157K - $197K *

Unlock potential by driving revenue growth through new customer acquisition and market expansion. This strategic role focuses on building executive relationships, executing targeted penetration strate...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Champion exceptional research outcomes by guiding clients through complex projects. Leverage your expertise in methodology and analysis to deliver actionable insights, while collaborating with cross-f...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading advanced analytics and experimentation initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and deploy machine learning solutions, driving data-driven decision-ma...

San Antonio, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.