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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$171K - $269K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze data, develop strategies, and influence product roadmaps. Use technical expertise to solve business challenges and communicate insights effectively t...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Bring your expertise to advanced biology research by designing complex problems, developing solutions, and evaluating AI models. Collaborate with teams to enhance scientific reasoning and contribute t...

New York, NYRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's pioneering solutions in High-Performance Computing, enhancing customer workflows, optimizing HPC software, and implementing best practices to achieve outstanding customer satisfacti...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Take ownership of transformational sales efforts within the Public Safety sector, leveraging your expertise in Microsoft solutions to foster relationships, drive pipeline growth, and deliver impactful...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform revenue operations by leading a dynamic team, optimizing CRM systems, and integrating AI solutions to enhance sales processes and drive growth in a high-velocity environment...

Wilmington, DERemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$92K - $102K *

Lead the charge in quality assurance within a groundbreaking team, innovating processes and systems that deliver cutting-edge cell therapy solutions, ensuring compliance and excellence throughout ever...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform clients' digital strategies by leading pre-sales initiatives. Engage, inspire, and coach stakeholders through innovative solutions, ensuring alignment with business goals and implementing At...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing CMC strategies to optimize manufacturing processes and commercial operations, ensuring alignment with project goals through effective collaboration across t...

CanadaRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Empower the execution of CMC strategies by collaborating across teams to enhance production, streamline operations, and drive commercial success for innovative therapeutics and diagnostics, ensuring a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $235K *

Join us to lead legal strategies and manage external legal matters in a dynamic consumer finance environment. You'll advise on litigation, regulatory issues, and business initiatives, ensuring effecti...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$185K - $195K *

Transform the future of fitness by defining and leading the product vision for AI Agents. Collaborate across teams to innovate solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive business growth in...

Ontario, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$94K - $266K *

Lead the charge in transforming customer engagements by managing AWS solutions delivery, ensuring client satisfaction, and driving strategic growth through strong relationships and innovative practice...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead customer relationships and delivery for AWS engagements, ensuring satisfaction and quality. Collaborate with sales for account growth, guide project teams, and drive AI-enabled solutions while ma...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading a high-impact engineering team focused on observability. Drive technical roadmaps, enhance platform reliability, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating with...

Seattle, WARemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Manage a dedicated team to enhance patient access to complex medications, ensuring operational excellence and compliance while delivering exceptional experiences. Guide strategic improvements to optim...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Lead market-shaping initiatives to enhance access to diagnostics, negotiate with industry stakeholders, and collaborate on strategic product strategies for low- and middle-income countries, thereby im...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $160K *

Lead complex client engagements by leveraging AI and advanced analytics to deliver actionable litigation insights. Collaborate across teams to design effective solutions, mentor staff, and ensure high...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $155K *

Shape the future of supply chain analytics by leading advanced forecasting and optimization initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement machine learning models that e...

Illinois, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$204K - $340K *

Lead the charge in generating impactful real-world evidence to support oncology products, ensuring alignment with market needs and regulatory requirements while collaborating across teams to drive evi...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$167K - $183K *

Lead the charge in optimizing G&A technology solutions, enhancing business processes through AI and automation. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive efficiency and compliance, ensuring scalable grow...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform enterprise resilience by leading strategic initiatives in crisis management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. Collaborate across functions to enhance operational readiness and ens...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$111K - $153K *

Elevate your career by spearheading complex proposals for government hardware projects. Leverage your expertise in advanced computing and proposal leadership while collaborating with cross-functional...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $220K *

Drive clinical excellence by providing medical expertise across therapeutic areas, ensuring safety and integrity in clinical trials. Collaborate with project teams and senior management to enhance cli...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$151K - $216K *

Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic engineering team to deliver innovative solutions, drive technical excellence, and foster collaboration while serving the U.S. Government in a hybrid work env...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$135K - $160K *

Empower a talented engineering team to develop innovative airgap-native software solutions. Drive product success in National Defense by ensuring seamless integration with UDS, fostering collaboration...

United StatesRemote

1 week 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.