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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$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by designing and maintaining advanced IT infrastructure platforms, ensuring reliability and security. Collaborate with teams to optimize solutions, automate processes, and enhance...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $300K *

Join a team that's embedding security into every software development phase, enhancing product safety and reliability while directly influencing our technology offerings. You'll collaborate with engin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$90K - $110K *

Transform project management by leading teams to achieve goals, ensuring alignment across complex workstreams, and delivering impactful results through effective communication and strategic planning...

New Jersey, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $230K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and optimization of HR operations. Drive compliance, enhance payroll accuracy, and build scalable processes that support a growing organization. Collaborate c...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI by developing robust machine learning solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and usability of advanced systems, and driv...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$96K - $191K *

Drive your career forward by leading statistical analyses and clinical study design. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams while applying advanced biostatistical techniques to enhance research outc...

Durham, NCRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $155K *

Drive impactful data solutions by bridging business needs with engineering teams. Own project intake, prioritize requests, and ensure clear communication across departments to enhance efficiency and d...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Manage customer expectations by designing and scoping vulnerability management solutions, acting as the technical bridge between client security teams and engineering to ensure successful implementati...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $140K *

Lead the charge in managing strategic clinical programs and customer relationships. Drive adoption, optimize workflows, and ensure account growth while delivering measurable value and fostering collab...

Boston, MARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$213K - $240K *

Lead statistical strategy for clinical development programs, guiding study design and analysis. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality deliverables and compliance with regulatory st...

Menlo Park, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Shape strategic customer engagements by delivering tightly scoped projects. Collaborate with executive sponsors to translate complex business problems into concrete solutions. Drive technical adoption...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $275K *

Lead the charge in vulnerability research and exploitation techniques, transforming real-world threats into automated solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance security measures and validate defens...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$147K - $246K *

Join a dynamic team to lead circular economy initiatives, driving sustainability across global operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance resource efficiency and resilience while c...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of in vitro diagnostics by leading complex, cross-functional product development projects from concept to launch in a regulated environment, ensuring compliance a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$161K - $190K *

Transform the digital commerce experience by owning a high-velocity experimentation roadmap. Collaborate across teams to enhance customer journeys, improve conversion rates, and establish a robust exp...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $202K *

Transform the enterprise landscape by guiding technology strategies that align business goals with IT capabilities, ensuring efficient operational performance and supporting growth through best practi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Drive success at the intersection of leadership and technical delivery, overseeing a team of consultants to ensure optimal service execution and financial performance across U.S. Federal agencies whil...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$202K - $253K *

Elevate your leadership as you drive engineering excellence, overseeing multiple squads from prototype to production. Shape the roadmap, empower teams, and ensure quality delivery while staying techni...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$182K - $288K *

Lead the charge in embedding security into the software development lifecycle, scaling secure standards across engineering. Collaborate broadly within teams to promote a 'secure by default' culture wh...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$325K - $447K *

Elevate medical affairs by providing strategic insights for clinical asset development and commercialization. Lead cross-functional teams, execute evidence generation plans, and foster collaboration t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $120K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of media and healthcare by leading integrated planning and strategy for pharmaceutical clients. Drive impactful engagement initiatives while mentoring a talente...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $110K *

Explore emerging risks in securities misconduct as an Enforcement Intelligence Analyst. Collaborate with a team to produce strategic assessments that guide operational planning and enforcement initiat...

Calgary, ABRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$140K - $160K *

Lead the charge in embedding AI solutions across clinical, product, and operations teams, ensuring validated and governed features are shipped. Own initiatives end-to-end, enhance AI fluency, and buil...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$145K - $165K *

Design and deliver AI solutions within clinical and product teams, spearheading validated features while ensuring compliance. Collaborate across functions to enhance AI fluency and operational capabil...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Elevate safety data management by leading GPS operations, ensuring compliance and quality in safety reporting. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system workflows and drive improvement...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 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.