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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1
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$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team in Workforce Management and Quality Assurance. Drive operational excellence, vendor partnerships, and innovative strategies to enhance service delivery and p...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $220K *

Shape the future of digital health by leading a comprehensive marketing strategy that drives revenue and builds a high-performing team across various marketing disciplines in a fast-growing environmen...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $100K *

Champion excellence in executive search by leading market mapping, building strong candidate pipelines, and conducting first-round interviews in a collaborative team environment. Your contributions dr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$69K - $105K *

Elevate your research career by conducting impactful studies that enhance crisis services. Collaborate with experts to analyze data, develop tools, and contribute to vital evaluations that support the...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Execute project management strategies to drive research initiatives, ensuring effective collaboration and communication across teams. Manage project life cycles, optimize processes, and enhance outcom...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by collaborating across teams to drive data integrity and safety in oncology clinical studies while developing comprehensive medical review plans and managing project deliverables...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $240K *

Unlock potential by serving as a strategic technical advisor for key enterprise customers, guiding architecture decisions and aligning technical plans with business outcomes to ensure successful imple...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Reimagine business improvement strategies as a senior contributor, leading high-impact initiatives across functions. Drive alignment, governance, and measurable outcomes while influencing stakeholders...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$250K - $350K *

Unlock potential by serving as a strategic advisor to executives, guiding organizations in workplace transformation, technology modernization, and data-driven strategies to enhance productivity and op...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in managing client projects, ensuring high-quality delivery on time and within budget while fostering excellent customer service and collaboration across teams...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $174K *

Join a team that's leading the charge in architecting complex AI solutions for enterprise environments. Drive technical excellence and mentorship while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to trans...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join our dynamic Delivery team to design and develop robust data pipelines, leveraging cloud technologies and distributed systems while ensuring optimal performance and scalability for our clients' da...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $250K *

Shape the future of enterprise solutions by bridging technical expertise and strategic vision. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design impactful architectures that drive customer success and...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$161K - $218K *

Join a team that's redefining cybersecurity by leading the architecture and integration of Zero Trust solutions for crucial defense initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver st...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $130K *

Optimize research operations by leading cross-team initiatives, establishing effective tracking systems, and maintaining a dynamic evidence repository. Drive efficiency and clarity in processes while...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead end-to-end client engagements for complex AI and digital projects, managing multiple implementations while ensuring timely delivery and exceeding client expectations. Collaborate with cross-funct...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Optimize project delivery by leading cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of SaaS engagements. Foster strong client relationships while managing scope, timelines, and budgets to meet...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$136K - $200K *

Explore innovative solutions by leading high-impact ideation labs that transform customer challenges into actionable AI capabilities, driving strategic partnerships and enhancing sales pipelines throu...

Colorado, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$240K - $320K *

Transform AI adoption and engineering efficiency by leading cross-functional initiatives and driving the strategic integration of innovative technologies across products, ensuring measurable outcomes...

Bellevue, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Transform scientific research with innovative AI methods. Collaborate across teams to design, test, and implement state-of-the-art models that advance academic discovery and impact the future of scien...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$127K - $212K *

Champion secure architecture by conducting reviews and assessments for cloud and on-premise systems. Leverage your cybersecurity expertise to design solutions that align with security best practices a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$105K - $150K *

Inspire impactful change by leading complex federal digital services programs. Oversee strategy, execution, and customer relationships while managing multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality te...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the Vendor Management Office, overseeing vendor governance, lifecycle management, and performance metrics. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure vendor services align with quality, compliance...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Champion an AI-first approach by leading a team of developers to enhance internal tools and automation for technical support, driving innovation and efficiency in case resolution while actively engagi...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Advance your career by driving market intelligence and product strategy for RUO oncology and transplant products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer relationships and ensure s...

United StatesRemote

1 week 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.