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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$120K - $145K *

Own the end-to-end lifecycle of data science projects, delivering machine learning systems across multiple domains in a collaborative environment, driving impactful solutions for both defense and comm...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$200K - $230K *

Lead a team that operationalizes advanced AI security solutions for enterprises, ensuring integration and compliance across environments. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovation in antibody discovery and therapeutics development, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to advance next-generation immunotherapies through cutting-edge machine learning and exp...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Join a proactive team as you independently investigate sophisticated threat actors. Use your expertise in threat intelligence to enhance security measures, develop solutions, and automate workflows to...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $135K *

Champion a global HSEQ strategy, fostering compliance and quality across operational regions while developing a proactive safety culture and optimizing customer service delivery in the solar and stora...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$280K - $300K *

Shape the future of clinical supply management by leading strategy and execution for transformative therapies. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure timely delivery of investigational products, whi...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$145K - $185K *

Champion strategic pursuits in the Space ecosystem, driving acquisition and partnerships. Lead full-lifecycle capture efforts to align technical solutions with government needs, influencing pipeline g...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead strategic partnerships by engaging with crypto/AI builders, building a robust pipeline through outreach and relationship-building, and closing complex deals to position us as the preferred securi...

New York City, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$153K - $166K *

Drive security excellence by partnering with product teams to embed security practices throughout the development lifecycle, focusing on AI features and risk mitigation to protect millions of users gl...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$160K - $200K *

Reimagine the SOX compliance landscape by establishing a robust Internal Audit function. Drive risk management and internal controls, collaborating across departments to ensure compliance, enhance pro...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Innovate with us to lead product strategy, execution, and market readiness in a dynamic legal tech landscape. Your expertise will shape powerful SaaS solutions, enhancing customer experiences while gu...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$160K - $200K *

Unlock your potential by driving AI sales strategies and fostering customer partnerships. Collaborate with top experts to bring transformative AI solutions to market, ensuring impactful growth and suc...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$133K - $173K *

Shape the future of AI governance by designing frameworks and policies that ensure responsible innovation and effective risk management across the enterprise. Collaborate with cross-functional teams t...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$171K - $201K *

Champion product intelligence by unlocking insights through data science. Lead cross-functional teams in building scalable solutions, driving data-informed strategies, and enhancing customer understan...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate the deployment of innovative manufacturing processes for oncology products, ensuring compliance and collaboration across teams. Lead technology transfers and facility readiness to enhance p...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Engage in the international rollout of innovative cancer imaging solutions. Oversee technology transfer and manufacturing deployment, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while collaborating...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$155K - $165K *

Join a team that's redefining enterprise architecture to enhance logistics and installation management. Leverage your expertise to drive compliance and modernization initiatives while collaborating wi...

Arlington, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$140K - $170K *

Advance your career by leading a dynamic team in developing secure access solutions. Drive technical direction, manage project delivery, and mentor engineers while balancing customer reliability with...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to optimize supply chain operations, ensuring efficient medication delivery from pharmacy partners to patients. Oversee systems, processes, and a team to scale operations amidst ra...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$372K - $500K+*

Partner with us to build a robust data science framework, transforming production and financial insights into strategic studio decisions, while enhancing operational efficiency and show management wit...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$140K - $190K *

Take ownership of defining and operationalizing a customer ROI framework across teams, fostering strategic growth initiatives through measurable value outcomes while enabling effective customer engage...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Advance your career by providing essential maintenance and support for cyclotrons and analytical equipment, ensuring optimal performance in a dynamic oncology environment. Collaborate on quality contr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Transform clinical workflows by leading innovative multimodal ML projects, defining objectives, building advanced systems, and mentoring peers. Your work will bridge AI advancements and real-world med...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $150K *

Lead complex project management initiatives across multiple channels in the pharmaceutical advertising sector. Oversee cross-functional teams, ensuring timely delivery within budget while mentoring ju...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $145K *

Lead clinical research projects, ensuring compliance with regulations and timelines. Collaborate with teams and sponsors, manage study functions, and drive effective communication to achieve trial mil...

Boston, MARemote

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.