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 *

Champion the security strategy for a cutting-edge platform, focusing on supply chain security, code scanning, and threat modeling. Collaborate with teams to enhance security practices and drive innova...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $175K *

Shape the strategic vision for data products, leading a high-performing team to drive data-informed decisions and enhance product strategy. Collaborate cross-functionally to establish data governance...

United StatesRemote

Today

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

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of innovative SaaS solutions by driving full stack development, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and delivering exceptional applications with a focus on scalability and performa...

Toronto, ONRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$169K - $241K *

Design and innovate conversational speech-to-speech models while collaborating with engineering teams to enhance speech technology, improve production pipelines, and engage users across various market...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of laboratory informatics by leading technical delivery and customer engagements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize solutions, enhance customer experience, and drive...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$72K - $120K *

Lead a multi-disciplinary team in developing machine learning algorithms to enhance clinical decision support, leveraging healthcare datasets for innovation and making vital discoveries that drive pro...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$75K - $100K *

Champion scientific innovation by developing SST datasets and algorithms with a team of experts. Leverage your skills in remote sensing and programming languages to enhance cloud masking and retrieval...

College Park, MDRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$121K - $176K *

Transform operational excellence by leading a team to implement Lean strategies, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and enhance safety, quality, and cost performance across multiple sites while...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$116K - $140K *

Shape the future of financial content by leading editorial projects, refining diverse materials, and collaborating with teams to deliver impactful thought leadership and research that resonates with i...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$88K - $140K *

Shape the future of public service by leading technology consulting projects that enhance operational efficiency and strategic goals for state and local agencies, ensuring compliance and delivering im...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$85K - $106K *

Analyze and optimize Amazon DSP and paid search campaigns to drive results across Retail Media. Leverage data insights to enhance performance, ensuring KPI excellence while managing fast-paced, multif...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$177K - $338K *

Help us advance women's health through innovative clinical trial strategies, where you will conduct, support, and report on global studies for cutting-edge compounds, ensuring adherence to regulatory...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join our AI acceleration team to drive impactful client engagements, rapidly prototype solutions, and demonstrate innovative agentic capabilities, all while collaborating closely with stakeholders to...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $225K *

Transform enterprise cybersecurity programs by leading AI-driven initiatives and modernization efforts. Collaborate with C-suite executives to design and implement comprehensive security roadmaps, enh...

Fairfax, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $150K *

Transform healthcare insights by leading client engagements with real-world data. Drive business development and project delivery while building long-term client relationships in a dynamic, hybrid wor...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$154K - $193K *

Drive AI transformation by building client relationships, leading engagements, and delivering results. Own the sales process from prospecting to execution, ensuring successful integration of AI soluti...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $165K *

Lead the charge in AI transformation by building client trust, driving business development, and delivering impactful solutions. Own the entire engagement process from sales to execution, guiding team...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $150K *

Shape the future of healthcare technology by leading clinical strategy initiatives to enhance drug diversion prevention and ensure patient privacy compliance. Drive impactful relationships, educate st...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$240K - $260K *

Elevate collaborative efforts by building and managing executive-level relationships within the Precision Oncology Alliance and leading institutions. This role focuses on strategic partnerships and en...

California, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI engineering by leading a dynamic group of engineers and Technical Leads. Drive workforce strategy, enhance team capabilities, and ensure sustainable deliver...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Execute comprehensive program management for a critical Air Force contract, leading a diverse team to ensure compliance, quality, and performance across multiple global operations while maintaining 24...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$128K - $184K *

Join a team that's redefining bioprocessing solutions in the life sciences sector. Drive sales, develop key accounts, and collaborate with a dynamic commercial team to enhance customer relationships a...

Massachusetts, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$128K - $184K *

Join a team that's driving innovative bioprocessing solutions in the life sciences sector. Leverage your sales expertise to manage key accounts and develop new opportunities across a dynamic territory...

Massachusetts, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$148K - $175K *

Lead the charge in providing actionable insights and thought leadership to clients, driving strategic innovation with a strong focus on AI in supply chain. Collaborate with stakeholders, mentor teams...

Irving, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$196K - $309K *

Oversee the architecture for enterprise search, guiding AI agents in effective information retrieval, query understanding, and context construction. Lead cross-team collaboration to enhance search qua...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information 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.