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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$208K - $281K *

Unlock insights by leading analytics for measurement and attribution, enhancing advertising performance through data-driven strategies and collaboration with engineering teams to optimize systems and...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $130K *

Collaborate with teams to execute complex aerospace and defense programs. Drive planning, risk management, and communication across engineering and operations, ensuring milestones are met and prioriti...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$107K - $160K *

Unlock potential by developing techno-economic models to evaluate fusion power plants' financial viability. Collaborate across teams to enhance analysis, support business development, and communicate...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Innovate in advanced diffusion models for text-to-video generation, leading research initiatives to improve quality and consistency, while collaborating with teams to integrate breakthroughs into prod...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $135K *

Unlock the potential of AI by designing and implementing advanced agentic systems and LLM-powered applications that enhance scientific research capabilities with a focus on developing reliable, produc...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $210K *

Advance your career by leveraging your expertise in computational biology to analyze and interpret complex single-cell transcriptomic data. Drive insights that inform therapeutic strategies for cardio...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Grow your career with a team that drives scientific initiatives and supports business development. Collaborate with R&D leadership and serve as a vital internal and external scientific resource, enhan...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$105K - $110K *

Join a team that's transforming satellite data access through cloud solutions. Collaborate on developing APIs and applications to enhance user experience and operational readiness in polar oceanograph...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$164K - $205K *

Unlock potential by designing and enhancing cloud infrastructure for scientific computing, ensuring reliability and performance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solu...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Elevate the development of cutting-edge large-scale language models. Collaborate to optimize training pipelines and model architectures, driving AI application in critical industries and translating r...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of AI by advancing large-scale language models and innovative research strategies. Collaborate with engineers to design impactful solutions for critical industries, enhancing decision...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$200K - $225K *

Lead the charge in developing and implementing biomarker strategies for clinical programs, ensuring scientific rigor and regulatory compliance while managing external partnerships and driving innovati...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$164K - $205K *

Lead AI-driven protein therapeutic discovery, providing scientific strategy and technical leadership, while mentoring staff and driving experimental design and optimization for impactful therapeutic s...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Unlock innovative chemistry by executing and optimizing synthesis workflows to support drug development initiatives. Collaborate with a dynamic team on both solution-phase and solid-phase methods, dri...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $230K *

Drive innovation and enhance efficiency as a Senior Engineering Manager, leading multiple teams and fostering a culture of excellence. Elevate engineering standards while managing performance and stra...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $300K *

Join a team that's redefining AI research by developing innovative benchmarks, synthetic data methods, and enhancing model reliability. Collaborate on ambitious projects in frontier science, tackling...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $300K *

Elevate the future of AI research by spearheading innovative projects in frontier evaluation, synthetic data, and agentic science. Collaborate with a talented team to tackle uncharted challenges and p...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $300K *

Drive innovative research to create benchmarks, improve AI training, and tackle frontier challenges in STEM evaluation, synthetic data, and reliability for advanced AI systems in a fast-paced research...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $210K *

Shape the future of protein reagent development by leading innovative workflows, establishing robust production processes, and mentoring a dedicated team to ensure high-quality, reproducible results i...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $222K *

Partner with us to advance human genetics-driven drug discovery, leading innovative projects and teams across multiple disease areas. Utilize your genetic expertise to drive strategic initiatives and...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $165K *

Join our team to design and execute innovative in vitro/in vivo experiments, leveraging your expertise in flow cytometry, microscopy, and gene-silencing techniques to advance therapeutic programs and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $105K *

Drive advanced computational solutions for multi-institutional research projects, integrating AI and HPC technologies. Collaborate with faculty and manage a team to enhance research computing services...

1 week ago

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

$85K - $105K *

Innovate and shape the future of research computing by developing scalable software solutions that enhance scientific workflows. Collaborate with faculty and students to leverage advanced technologies...

1 week ago

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

$171K - $222K *

Empower our team by conducting data analysis and building ML models for supply optimization. Collaborate across functions to drive impactful projects that enhance traffic monetization while ensuring a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$88K - $105K *

Unlock potential by designing and optimizing upstream cell culture processes, supporting technology transfers, and collaborating with clients to enhance project outcomes in a dynamic manufacturing env...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 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.