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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$180K - $220K *

Join a team that's paving the way for innovative product and engineering solutions. As a Senior Corporate Counsel, you'll provide essential legal guidance on AI, payments, and privacy, ensuring compli...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Program Analyst, supporting program management and governance for a key initiative. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze data, develop reports, and ensure documenta...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$132K - $165K *

Drive innovation in oncology diagnostics by leading statistical programming efforts, ensuring data integrity and compliance for clinical trials, while managing a team and collaborating cross-functiona...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the compliance and documentation efforts, ensuring robust privacy and security practices. Collaborate across teams to create and maintain essential documentation, audits, and operational workflow...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$245K - $260K *

Lead technical solutions for U.S. Army accounts, enhancing digital performance and visibility. Collaborate with executives to develop strategies, conduct presentations, and address complex challenges...

Abell, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion privacy solutions by engaging with clients, delivering tailored demos, and driving sales success. Leverage your expertise to influence product development and navigate the intersection of AI...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $240K *

Engage with enterprise customers to address complex security and risk challenges. Serve as a trusted advisor, leading solution design and product demonstrations while collaborating with cross-function...

San Francisco, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $240K *

Transform enterprise security solutions by partnering with Sales to address complex challenges. Leverage your expertise to design impactful solutions, deliver compelling demos, and engage with stakeho...

Washington, DCRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $240K *

Champion enterprise security solutions by partnering with Sales to address complex challenges. Lead technical discovery, solution design, and customer validation, ensuring alignment between technical...

Austin, TXRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$87K - $108K *

Empower customer success by providing expert technical support for bioprocessing products. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, enhance product knowledge, and ensure a positive experience fo...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$300K - $500K *

Lead and optimize a diverse portfolio of debt mandates, driving execution from initial offer to close. Collaborate across teams to enhance transaction velocity and deliver innovative capital solutions...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$170K - $205K *

Join a dynamic team to lead AI agent deployments in healthcare. Leverage your software engineering expertise and client-facing skills to drive technical delivery, influence product development, and en...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$219K - $285K *

Shape and lead a centralized commercial analytics function, transforming complex data into actionable insights. Drive performance measurement, growth identification, and strategic decision-making acro...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$83K - $104K *

Engage top talent in the Life Sciences sector, driving R&D and commercial success. Collaborate with leaders to enhance candidate experiences while managing recruitment workflows and sensitive informat...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$181K - $301K *

Elevate your career by leading a global team focused on maturing data protection and insider risk strategies. Drive innovative solutions to protect sensitive information while collaborating with key s...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Champion continuous process improvement and organizational redesign, providing expert analysis and guidance to enhance business processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement effectiv...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$215K - $235K *

Advance drug substance development and drive clinical readiness projects by leading process chemistry initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance for suc...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$212K - $339K *

Lead the global AI engineering team to deliver scalable, enterprise AI solutions. Drive execution from design to deployment, ensuring security and operational excellence while fostering innovation and...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$235K - $350K *

Transform the future of cyber defense by architecting cutting-edge AI systems that autonomously protect against real-world threats. Lead technical direction, mentor teams, and drive innovation from re...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $252K *

Drive the design and integration of Oracle Cloud solutions for federal HCM modernization, transforming technical strategies into robust architectures while overseeing development teams to ensure succe...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$127K *

Champion a dynamic team of research contracts professionals, leading negotiations on complex agreements while fostering collaboration and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment...

Notre Dame, INRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $170K *

Join us as a Senior Staff Cyber Security Architect to design secure cloud and on-premise solutions. Leverage your expertise in cybersecurity architecture to drive best practices and collaborate across...

CanadaRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$72K - $106K *

Explore an impactful role where you'll lead proposal initiatives, collaborate across teams, and enhance our RFP processes to drive growth while improving educational outcomes for districts and student...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in life sciences strategy execution, driving growth through market engagement and strategic partnerships. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product relevance and visib...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $255K *

Shape the future of cloud security by designing and implementing robust controls. Guide integrations in DevOps, perform comprehensive assessments, and mentor teams to reduce risks in AWS and mobile in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.