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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$156K - $180K *

Empower clients by owning technical relationships for the Enterprise Suite, guiding them from discovery to implementation. Collaborate with teams to enhance adoption and resolve issues, ensuring seaml...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of discovery operations by leveraging your legal expertise and leadership skills to enhance service delivery and team performance, ensuring top-quality results and efficient workflows...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$190K - $220K *

Drive your career by leading a global trade compliance program, ensuring adherence to international regulations while enhancing governance and operational efficiency across a complex business landscap...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$86K - $138K *

Engage in leading a multidisciplinary research team, managing multiple behavioral science projects for government agencies, while ensuring quality and fostering professional development in a dynamic...

Georgia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$232K - $250K *

Lead the charge in enterprise technology strategy and governance. Spearhead innovative planning and oversight to enhance business outcomes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and optimizing...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading global clinical trial projects, ensuring quality delivery and client satisfaction. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence and continuous...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$240K - $280K *

Help us drive innovative forecasting and AI solutions in life sciences, enhancing decision-making across commercial operations and maximizing impact in oncology and cell therapy markets. Join our dyna...

Houston, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$108K - $132K *

Drive impactful government partnerships by managing agency accounts, securing agreements, and shaping offerings. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance services and mentor colleagues, ensuring effe...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$171K - $189K *

Deliver innovative data and AI solutions by architecting scalable systems, engaging with clients, and transforming complex challenges into actionable insights. Join us to drive impactful results in en...

Rockville, MDRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $270K *

Join a team pioneering AI/ML platform engineering, enhancing scalable infrastructure to empower scientific innovation. Shape the future of distributed systems and MLOps, collaborating across teams to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform enterprise AI deployments by designing, building, and enhancing systems that drive significant business results while fostering strong partnerships with customers and engineering teams...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $160K *

Champion cloud and application security by enhancing AWS practices, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement to ensure secure and compliant environments...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock customer success by leading the delivery and adoption of data solutions, leveraging blockchain expertise to design tailored compliance workflows and build strong relationships with financial in...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Help us lead the charge in SAP Cloud Managed Services, ensuring operational excellence, service stability, and customer satisfaction through effective management of complex delivery operations and div...

Reston, VARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Drive new business growth by engaging scholarly publishers, managing the sales cycle, and collaborating with teams to tailor solutions that meet client needs. Leverage industry insights and strategic...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$97K - $170K *

Manage supply chain readiness and risk for business units, ensuring alignment between growth plans and supplier capabilities. Collaborate cross-functionally to mitigate risks and drive material strate...

California, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Lead security initiatives and cultivate a security-first culture, guiding teams in integrating security throughout the development lifecycle and addressing complex security challenges with strategic i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$215K - $230K *

Transform compliance into actionable insights by bridging technical teams and auditors. Own your area of responsibility, enhance security measures, and drive automation in a multi-cloud environment wh...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $200K *

Lead and evolve omnichannel strategy across diverse clients and brands, driving integrated customer experiences that align with business objectives while enhancing strategic capabilities in a dynamic...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$87K - $120K *

Elevate customer success by managing IT projects, driving business development, and ensuring seamless platform integration for enterprise clients, enhancing satisfaction and ROI through effective solu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$73K - $132K *

Contribute to impactful environmental projects by analyzing data, preparing technical documents, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support CERCLA investigations and remediation efforts...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $225K *

Oversee complex industrial construction projects, ensuring safety, quality, and timely completion. Lead multidisciplinary teams, manage contractor performance, and coordinate with stakeholders to achi...

United StatesRemote

Today

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

$90K - $110K *

Drive AI transformation by mapping current processes and designing future-state models across G&A functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify automation opportunities and enhance operational...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$151K - $215K *

Innovate global technology procurement strategies, optimizing spend and supplier relationships. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance value creation and drive efficiency across technology...

New York, NYRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$186K - $311K *

Join a team that's redefining analytics in the pharmaceutical industry. Lead the development and deployment of AI-driven methods that transform data into actionable commercial insights, ensuring scien...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 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.