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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$175K - $200K *

Drive impactful change in healthcare consulting by leveraging your expertise in clinical operations and research administration. Collaborate with executive leaders to solve complex challenges and fost...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$119K - $215K *

Drive your career by leading cross-functional teams to execute complex technical programs. Leverage your expertise in program management and communication to align engineering efforts with strategic g...

Cambridge, MARemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Inspire data-driven decision-making as you lead analytics and predictive modeling efforts. Collaborate across teams to enhance patient engagement, forecast demand, and measure impact, driving strategi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $215K *

Lead the sales strategy and team for a fast-growing EdTech startup, driving new revenue and building scalable processes. Engage with key stakeholders in higher education while coaching a high-performi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of AI in government by driving strategic vision and implementation. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure responsible use of technology, streamline service delivery, and enh...

Denver, CORemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $220K *

Shape the future of customer solutions by leading implementations and driving adoption of innovative technologies. Collaborate with teams to deliver tailored architectural designs that meet strategic...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing clinical administration teams, ensuring operational excellence through coaching, training, and performance management. Collaborate with senior management on strategic initi...

North Carolina, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $250K *

Elevate innovation by spearheading the technical foundation for a new decentralized micropayment solution. As a strategic leader, you will architect systems, mentor teams, and drive cross-disciplinary...

San Francisco, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $150K *

Unlock new opportunities by building strategic partnerships with academic institutions to enhance research in neurology, psychiatry, and sleep. Collaborate with principal investigators to drive adopti...

Boston, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $185K *

Transform the landscape of video understanding by owning data design, evaluation methodologies, and experimental validation for multimodal models. Collaborate with leading labs to advance video metric...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $360K *

Elevate the quality of recommendations by leading human evaluation programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, execute, and refine evaluation frameworks that enhance user experience a...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$100K - $160K *

Join a team that's transforming healthcare with AI solutions. As an AI Solutions Engineer, you'll develop integrations and tools that enhance customer workflows, bridging the gap between clients and o...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$249K - $336K *

Lead the charge in transforming research through innovative digital technology and data strategies. Drive scientific excellence by enhancing workflows and data products, ensuring Research teams have t...

South San Francisco, CARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Transform regulatory strategies for rare disease and cardio-pulmonary drug-device programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and drive successful submissions globally, supp...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at driving revenue growth through strategic sales initiatives, building client relationships, and enhancing cybersecurity solutions for organizations, while managing the complete s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $105K *

Collaborate with clients to enhance their social media strategies using healthcare insights, data-driven execution, and creative content development for multi-channel success. This role demands a proa...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $110K *

Deliver impactful project management by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring timely and budget-friendly project delivery while enhancing team capabilities and stakeholder engagement...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$242K - $403K *

Lead global companion diagnostics strategy, integrating diagnostic plans with clinical development and regulatory objectives. Drive execution across therapeutic programs, ensuring alignment with patie...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Champion the legal landscape for Phase 3 and commercial activities in the Americas, providing strategic counsel across the product lifecycle while partnering closely with commercial and medical affair...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $200K *

Lead cross-functional integration of data, analytics, evaluation, and governance to enhance healthcare AI products. Drive roadmap ownership, optimize workflows, ensure data quality, and foster collabo...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$177K - $221K *

Champion regulatory excellence by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance, and driving successful oncology drug development through strategic planning and expert guidance...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $269K *

Drive innovation by owning a business domain and building AI solutions end-to-end. Collaborate with leaders, prototype impactful applications, and establish reusable patterns to enhance team productiv...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform client relationships by driving retention and growth in a dynamic SaaS environment. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to maximize product adoption and uncover new opportunities, ensuring...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$186K - $233K *

Pioneer innovative strategies in breast oncology, driving commercial success through collaboration and data-driven insights. Lead cross-functional teams to enhance product adoption and optimize market...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 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.