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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$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

3 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

$150K - $180K *

Join a cutting-edge team to drive integration across AI/ML and life sciences, owning product roadmaps, enhancing collaboration, and striving for efficiency in drug discovery through innovation and str...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$280K - $340K *

Transform regulatory strategy and operations across CMC and clinical activities, leading a high-performing team to ensure compliance and successful product approvals from development through post-appr...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $140K *

Drive innovative media strategies for healthcare clients, leveraging audience insights and performance data. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance planning processes and deliver impactful...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$131K - $196K *

Unlock potential by developing AI-driven applications and data pipelines. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency through innovative technical solutions, ensuring quality and scalabil...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$146K - $234K *

Elevate AI solutions by architecting integration frameworks for third-party tools within secure environments, ensuring compliance and security while driving innovation in fraud detection and preventio...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Drive enterprise sales by creating pipeline, closing complex contracts, and building strategic relationships. Collaborate with leadership to scale revenue and develop a repeatable sales motion in the...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $210K *

Engineer innovative AI solutions by bridging prototypes and enterprise stability, driving adoption, managing integrations, and ensuring governance for impactful internal tools that enhance revenue and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute a strategic product roadmap, integrating market insights and performance metrics to drive customer-centric solutions in the diagnostics and genomics...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $179K *

Lead complex engagements and establish strategic relationships while mentoring teams and driving solutions in high-stakes Public Sector environments. Shape account strategy and deliver measurable impa...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $135K *

Empower global CPaaS research by analyzing trends in API-driven communications, shaping strategies for telecom and technology clients, and delivering actionable insights through data analysis, thought...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform healthcare by developing and deploying advanced ML models that enhance real-world efficacy. Collaborate with clinical and engineering teams to enable data-driven decision-making and deliver...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by developing cutting-edge NLP and machine learning solutions. Collaborate across functions to transform complex data into actionable insights, driving inno...

CanadaRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$190K - $240K *

Elevate healthcare impact by building and scaling enterprise accounts in women's health. Own the sales cycle, engage stakeholders, and drive screening initiatives while collaborating across teams to e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Engage with model partners to drive integration and launch of generative AI solutions. Own relationships end-to-end, negotiate terms, and collaborate across teams to scale partnerships and enhance our...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$173K - $290K *

Join a team that's redefining strategic research by tackling complex, ambiguous challenges. Collaborate with product, design, and engineering leaders to shape impactful insights that drive business de...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$255K - $310K *

Lead a high-performing team to execute market access strategies, optimize payer engagement, and enhance product positioning. Drive collaboration across stakeholders to ensure effective reimbursement a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Strategize your career by advancing data science and predictive analytics solutions for the Navy. Collaborate with experts to enhance safety through innovative modeling while leveraging military exper...

Norfolk, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$183K - $229K *

Drive operational excellence as a senior leader, overseeing market performance, managing physician and payer partnerships, and executing strategic plans to achieve financial and clinical targets in a...

Ohio, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$159K - $198K *

Elevate Washington's public education system by providing visionary leadership and strategic direction. Drive transformative initiatives, foster collaboration, and ensure compliance while enhancing ed...

Washington, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$100K - $124K *

Lead the charge in delivering impactful scientific software demonstrations and training. Collaborate with diverse teams to address customer needs and enhance bioinformatics solutions, driving innovati...

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.