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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$145K - $185K *

Champion customer success within the Intelligence Community, driving satisfaction, retention, and account growth through relationship management and proactive solutions. Shape long-term partnerships w...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$195K - $277K *

Champion clinical oncology studies by designing protocols, collaborating with teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Leverage expertise to analyze data, support publications, and maintain re...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$172K - $202K *

Discover innovative insights into AI's economic impact. Leverage analytics and market dynamics to shape vital research while influencing industry leaders with cutting-edge strategies and actionable ad...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $180K *

Unlock potential by joining our innovative team to advance AI in therapeutic antibody development. Collaborate with experts to set benchmarks, evaluate AI reasoning, and enhance biologics workflows, d...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Empower your career by driving impactful business improvement initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage projects, analyze data, and enhance operational efficiency in a dynamic env...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the creation of impactful scientific content, enhancing medical education and patient outcomes. Collaborate cross-functionally, mentor writers, and drive excellence in heal...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in advancing experimental methodologies to optimize product decisions. Guide and mentor teams while developing innovative solutions that enhance our data science capabilities in a dyna...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive execution of complex technical initiatives, translating business vision into actionable programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with company objectives and measurab...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $135K *

Advance educational research by analyzing data and synthesizing findings to enhance student access to advanced courses. Collaborate with stakeholders to design studies, build dashboards, and communica...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic AI leadership team to shape strategies and solutions that merge human insight with advanced automation. Drive impactful AI initiatives, enhance governance, and optimize the AI budget wh...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $174K *

Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $250K *

Drive enterprise-wide physician leadership and clinical oversight for government healthcare programs. Ensure high-quality, compliant healthcare services across federal detention facilities with a focu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$185K - $210K *

Lead and optimize global technology services across Adobe and Salesforce ecosystems. Drive strategic direction, client delivery, and team growth in a fast-paced environment. Champion technical excelle...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Transform customer success and support by leading a dynamic team to enhance retention and expansion strategies. Collaborate with executives to build infrastructure and drive growth for 2,100+ accounts...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$125K *

Lead the charge in driving client relationships and business growth within Texas. Leverage your expertise in eDiscovery and legal services to identify client needs, foster partnerships, and collaborat...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$235K - $350K *

Empower the future of cybersecurity AI by leading innovative research and development. Collaborate with experts to create advanced systems that enhance defense capabilities and transform security oper...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Grow your career with an innovative role focusing on satellite data assimilation to enhance numerical weather prediction. Collaborate with experts to develop cutting-edge techniques and improve operat...

College Park, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Empower finance leadership with data-driven insights by building models, pipelines, and visualizations. Collaborate across systems to ensure data accuracy and support strategic decision-making in a dy...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in establishing a robust project management portfolio, optimizing planning and execution processes at the Space Weather Prediction Center. Drive continuous improvement and support lead...

Boulder, CORemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of AI integration by leading complex projects, bridging technical teams and leadership. Drive Agile methodologies, manage risks, and ensure timely deliverables in a dynamic environmen...

Virginia, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Optimize quality operations for large-scale data pipelines, ensuring high standards and consistency across diverse datasets. Lead a team to enhance efficiency and reliability in audio data processing...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower decision-making by utilizing data-driven insights to enhance operations, supporting growth through statistical modeling and AI techniques while maintaining compliance in a complex regulatory e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $250K *

Transform clinical trials by ensuring patient safety and scientific integrity. Collaborate with stakeholders to uphold regulatory standards and optimize study protocols, while providing expert medical...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$186K - $232K *

Innovate within a dynamic team by establishing bioinformatics capabilities, architecting scalable infrastructure, and enhancing genomic algorithms to drive excellence in women's and organ health produ...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $275K *

Elevate technical excellence as the Chief Engineer, guiding multidisciplinary teams to ensure mission success through robust architecture, requirements management, and strategic decision-making in com...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

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.