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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$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

Yesterday

  •   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

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $143K *

Drive operational excellence as a Program Manager, enhancing EPD processes and collaboration. Leverage data insights to identify trends, improve efficiency, and support cross-functional teams in a dyn...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of client relationships by leading strategic accounts, driving satisfaction and growth. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver impactful solutions, manage projects, and ensure oper...

Maryland, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K - $130K *

Lead and expand strategic client relationships, driving satisfaction and revenue growth. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-impact solutions and manage large-scale initiatives while ensuri...

Maryland, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$170K - $180K *

Lead the charge in overseeing complex software development initiatives, driving Agile sprint teams, and ensuring seamless integration of web services and databases to meet organizational goals while e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by serving as a senior database administrator, enhancing and maintaining complex IT systems. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive innovative solutions and ensure effective manageme...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$140K - $175K *

Join a dynamic team to drive the strategy and roadmap for Sales and Marketing platforms, focusing on Salesforce and marketing automation. Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize initiatives and de...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$116K - $182K *

Champion the operational strategy and execution of complex clinical studies, ensuring compliance and quality standards while leading cross-functional teams to achieve clinical objectives on time and w...

Massachusetts, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$116K - $182K *

Drive clinical study success by leading strategic planning and execution for complex trials. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance, efficiency, and timely completion, enhancing our clini...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $166K *

Transform the executive hiring landscape by leading high-stakes searches for senior leadership roles. Collaborate with executives to define talent strategies, build diverse pipelines, and ensure a res...

Massachusetts, USRemote

6 days ago

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

$180K - $230K *

Lead complex, multi-workstream technology programs, ensuring alignment across teams and delivering customer outcomes through strategic planning, execution, and governance. Drive program success by man...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $194K *

Accelerate your career by driving strategic growth in state government healthcare initiatives. Collaborate with executive teams to foster relationships, navigate complex sales cycles, and position inn...

Virginia, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $175K *

Explore a unique opportunity to drive innovation in education technology, taking ownership of product features from design to deployment. Work in a dynamic environment focusing on user experience, sec...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 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.