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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$95K - $115K *

Reimagine environmental management as a Physical Scientist, leading strategic initiatives and providing expert guidance on complex projects to enhance DOE's mission and operational efficiency...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's driving innovative solutions in environmental management. As a Physical Scientist, you'll lead complex projects, provide strategic guidance, and collaborate with stakeholders to tac...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$172K - $236K *

Transform scientific discovery by leading a team in cloud engineering and infrastructure. Drive innovation in biotech research, ensuring optimal cloud solutions and robust computational capabilities w...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading clinical data review and innovative strategies to enhance clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive execution and improve pat...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $184K *

Drive innovation in mRNA Display technologies by optimizing affinity-selection platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team to advance therapeutic discoveries through rigorous experimental design and da...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$320K - $380K *

Drive the strategy and execution of the Materials Science AISF program, ensuring alignment across complex, high-impact priorities while applying your deep domain expertise to advance AI capabilities i...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$129K - $162K *

Lead the charge in developing and deploying scalable ML models for neuropathology, integrating multimodal data to enhance understanding of brain diseases. Collaborate with experts to drive impactful r...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $260K *

Innovate cutting-edge security technologies while leading R&D initiatives and business development. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance national security and deliver high-quality solutions, fost...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Design innovative biotech solutions to enhance crop resistance through research and hands-on experimentation, collaborating across disciplines to integrate insights into effective product development...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$141K - $231K *

Join a team that's advancing pandemic preparedness through innovative antibody discovery. Collaborate on designing viral antigens and reagents, enabling rapid responses to infectious agents while cont...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Empower innovation in identity verification and fraud prevention by leading research, developing detection methods, and collaborating with ML teams to enhance security measures. Publish findings and c...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape innovative AI/ML initiatives to enhance student engagement and retention. Lead cross-functional teams to develop predictive models and data pipelines, driving measurable outcomes for thousands o...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$105K - $126K *

Transform the future of diagnostics by leading molecular biology workflows, driving antibody discovery, and optimizing biological reagent development in a dynamic, collaborative environment...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Drive automated chemistry operations and parallel compound library synthesis, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance drug discovery through innovative workflows and high-throughput expe...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $225K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative labeling methodologies for cybersecurity detection. Collaborate with teams to transform raw network data into actionable insights, driving advancements in mach...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Support the transition of JEDI data assimilation to operations, collaborating on research and development for atmospheric data assimilation, focusing on innovative methods in numerical weather predict...

College Park, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovative biotherapeutics production by supporting downstream processes, conducting lab studies, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with teams to enhance manufacturing efficiency and contribu...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$142K - $193K *

Innovate with us to advance AI-driven customer experiences through cutting-edge agent-based modeling. Lead research and development of multimodal frameworks that enhance interactions and optimize test...

1 week ago

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

$117K - $158K *

Join a dynamic team to discover and optimize biocatalysts for innovative manufacturing processes. Utilize cutting-edge protein engineering and high-throughput screening to enhance enzyme performance...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Transform laboratory safety and compliance by leading high-stakes projects that integrate cutting-edge practices in hazard management, biocontainment, and regulatory adherence within a collaborative t...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$116K - $146K *

Transform the future of cancer detection by leading innovative research in molecular biology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and execute high-complexity experiments, advancing cutti...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$204K - $270K *

Partner with us to lead innovative technology programs that bridge research and execution, driving transformational change and ensuring alignment with organizational goals in a dynamic environment...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Drive innovation in biologics cell line development, leading a team of scientists in optimizing CHO-based processes while collaborating cross-functionally to advance therapeutic solutions and enhance...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$237K - $284K *

Lead and innovate in chemical biology, bridging multiomic discovery with target ID. Manage a team to design chemical probes and develop new therapeutic modalities, integrating AI/ML-driven approaches...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$62K - $141K *

Help us advance health outcomes by leveraging your expertise in computational biology and genomics. Collaborate with top scientists to drive innovative research programs, evaluate technologies, and su...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.