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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$500K+*

The Research Engineer, Agents role at Anthropic involves developing and optimizing agentic systems powered by Claude, focusing on enhancing performance and usability for complex tasks. Candidates will...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$500K+*

The Research Engineer, Agents role at Anthropic involves developing and optimizing agentic systems powered by Claude, focusing on enhancing performance and usability for complex tasks. Candidates will...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$250K - $290K *

Drive AI innovation by leading a research team to develop population-scale models, focusing on health-risk prediction and variant-effect analysis, while securing funding and publishing impactful resea...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's pioneering viral vector process development for gene therapies. Collaborate across functions to enhance workflows, optimize processes, and drive innovation in a dynamic synthetic bi...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$121K - $151K *

Pioneer impactful scientific projects by managing cross-functional teams, ensuring timely deliverables, and fostering collaboration. Utilize your expertise in project management to drive success in gr...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Transform application development by leading innovative projects in PWR technology. Collaborate across teams to optimize methods, support customers, and drive product improvements in a dynamic R&D env...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $120K *

Innovate data-driven solutions by leading data science initiatives, integrating AI, and enhancing operational efficiency through predictive modeling and collaboration with cross-functional teams to su...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower your career by providing critical data science expertise to enhance AI/ML systems. Collaborate with government managers to drive efficiency and innovation in software services for mission-focu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Drive innovation by providing technical expertise in AI/ML for software services, supporting the end-to-end lifecycle of mission-focused tools. Collaborate with a team of experts to enhance efficiency...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Advance data-driven initiatives by leading AI integration and predictive modeling efforts, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights for mission-critical operations within a collaborative enviro...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion innovative genomic methods to track pathogens, guiding technical strategy and infrastructure. Lead bioinformatics integration, mentor trainees, and collaborate with external partners to advan...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Advance the field of research by applying simple yet scalable methods on large datasets, optimizing for efficiency and effectiveness in diverse multimodal applications. Collaborate closely with expert...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Oversee and drive strategic leadership, operational excellence, and financial performance in a dynamic manufacturing environment while fostering strong customer relationships and team development for...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Lead the charge in data-driven healthcare improvement by analyzing complex datasets, producing innovative reports and dashboards, and employing predictive modeling techniques to optimize patient outco...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$268K - $358K *

Pioneer groundbreaking domain models connecting biological data with machine learning, utilizing innovative methodologies to interpret complex biological interactions and guide experimental strategies...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $160K *

Drive analytical excellence by developing robust data models and visualizations, enhancing decision-making processes for customer initiatives, while ensuring effective integration of machine learning...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $240K *

Empower teams by managing complex R&D programs, ensuring alignment with contract scopes, budgets, and schedules while fostering collaboration across technical and executive teams to deliver innovative...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$175K - $210K *

Lead the design and implementation of AI-driven workflows to enhance small-molecule drug discovery, fostering collaboration and innovation across teams while shaping the future of experimental science...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by developing machine-learning solutions for biological datasets, integrating protein structures with phenotypic data, and communicating insights to diverse stakeholders. Drive innova...

New Jersey, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $206K *

Unlock potential by leading translational science efforts in immune-oncology, integrating complex datasets to drive biomarker discovery and support precision medicine strategies across clinical and pr...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Optimize company growth by partnering with the CEO to drive strategic initiatives, enhance operational efficiency, and lead cross-functional projects that shape the future of the organization...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$81K - $101K *

Contribute to innovative organic synthesis and process development, enhancing technology roadmaps and manufacturing efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams while gaining technical independ...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $252K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of machine learning research, driving innovation through large-scale testing and deployment. Collaborate globally to tackle real-world challenges and enhance cutti...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$162K - $188K *

Accelerate progress at a pivotal organization by leading revenue strategies, managing key relationships, and enhancing brand visibility. Drive fundraising efforts to meet ambitious goals while fosteri...

Oakland, CARemote

1 week ago

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

$162K - $188K *

Join a team that's driving transformative impact through innovative funding strategies and robust external communications. You will lead revenue strategies and brand positioning, ensuring sustainable...

Reposted 1 week 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.