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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$157K - $182K *

Innovate your career by leveraging deep industry expertise to guide clients in strategic technology implementation and solution development, while building lasting relationships and driving impactful...

Illinois, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in developing complex geological models and resource estimations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and oversee project delivery, ensuring high-quality results that meet client...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$256K - $288K *

Lead the charge in clinical trial oversight and data interpretation, ensuring safety and efficacy of pipeline products through expert collaboration and strategic planning, aligning clinical activities...

Waltham, MARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $190K *

Shape innovative IT solutions by leading technical strategies for federal proposals. Collaborate with teams to design enterprise architectures, ensuring alignment with business goals while serving as...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$185K - $215K *

Champion AI integration across teams, driving transformative initiatives for measurable outcomes. Lead enterprise-wide AI adoption strategy, governance, and programs, influencing stakeholders to harne...

Toronto, ONRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Lead vendor security engagements by assessing risks, developing solutions, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security practices and drive implementation of ef...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $130K *

Partner with us to design and implement secure, scalable network solutions. Leverage your expertise in networking technologies to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating with cross-fun...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$170K - $270K *

Join a team that's redefining identity and cybersecurity strategy. As Field CTO, you will engage top-tier clients, influence their security architecture, and shape the technical narrative for our inno...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $160K *

Drive impactful cybersecurity solutions by executing advanced penetration tests, managing engagements, and providing strategic guidance on security architecture, while fostering team collaboration and...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform cybersecurity practices by delivering high-quality penetration tests, managing engagements, and providing strategic guidance on security architecture. Collaborate with teams to enhance mobil...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $194K *

Elevate your career by leading global market strategies for innovative bioprocessing filtration products. Collaborate across teams to drive adoption and growth through compelling value propositions an...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$92K - $166K *

Empower engineering teams to excel in electric utility projects nationwide while optimizing project performance through strategic leadership and client collaboration. Drive business growth by managing...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$116K - $157K *

Lead innovative safety strategies in pharmacovigilance, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure patient safety throughout the product lifecycle, from development to post-marketing, while m...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $248K *

Lead enterprise-scale operations for cloud services, ensuring performance and customer satisfaction. Drive a multidisciplinary team, manage service transitions, and leverage data-driven metrics to enh...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $243K *

Deliver innovative disaster recovery solutions for healthcare systems, ensuring compliance and resilience for clinical workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $230K *

Shape the future of asset management by driving global strategy, revenue growth, and service innovation. Lead a high-performing team to deliver exceptional value in regulated environments, ensuring co...

Massachusetts, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$114K - $145K *

Lead the charge in optimizing web experimentation across high-traffic pages. You'll set standards, design tests, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful insights and enhance use...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$152K - $194K *

Advance your career by leading a high-impact web experimentation program, driving data-driven decisions across key website pages, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize user experie...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $140K *

Innovate with advanced analytics and AI to transform enterprise data into actionable insights, driving impactful decisions in Clinical Development and Operations. Collaborate with cross-functional tea...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Engineer innovative GN&C solutions for lunar missions, providing technical leadership and driving system performance from design to flight operations, while collaborating across multidisciplinary team...

Madison, ALRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $100K *

Unlock potential by providing strategic financial leadership and analysis to business units. Collaborate with teams to enhance financial management practices, ensuring compliance and supporting organi...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

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

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...

California, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $170K *

Lead the charge in managing complex contracts for a major program, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment. Collaborate with teams to develop proposals, negotiate terms, and maintain strong relati...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $275K *

Elevate healthcare standards by guiding medical policy and coding within a collaborative team. Leverage your expertise to enhance client relationships, improve payment accuracy, and drive strategic in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $191K *

Lead operational health initiatives by optimizing processes and driving efficiency within Engineering, Product, and Design teams. Collaborate across functions to enhance productivity and implement dat...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 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.