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 - $230K *

Drive strategic program management across cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with corporate goals. Lead the execution of complex development programs while fostering collaboration and accounta...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of biological product development by optimizing processes, enhancing quality, and driving innovation. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-impact solutions and engage with custome...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$89K - $166K *

Innovate your career with a key role in lipid nanoparticle synthesis, optimizing formulations for nucleic acid delivery through hands-on laboratory work and collaborative cross-functional efforts to s...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $189K *

Join a dynamic team to analyze vast genetic data, driving innovations in RNAi therapeutics. Utilize cutting-edge methods to uncover insights from global genomic resources, translating findings into tr...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform numerical capabilities by developing innovative algorithms and solutions, engaging in model building, and collaborating with software teams to enhance product performance and deliver impactf...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Transform your career by leveraging your expertise in LIMS to drive innovative solutions in Clinical and Preclinical Sample Management, ensuring compliance and optimizing workflows in a dynamic biopha...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $150K *

Optimize performance management and analytics for a multi-country health initiative. Lead milestone tracking, risk identification, and data visualization to ensure program success across diverse globa...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$214K - $343K *

Champion innovative research initiatives by leading a dynamic team, overseeing project execution, and enhancing collaboration across divisions while ensuring quality and compliance in a fast-paced env...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining operational excellence. You'll integrate diverse functions, drive strategic initiatives, and lead high-impact projects to propel growth while managing daily operations an...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to conducting environmental assessments and analyses, ensuring compliance with regulations while developing innovative remediation strategies. Lead projects of moderate co...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$211K - $266K *

Drive impactful data science initiatives by leveraging AI/ML to enhance cybersecurity analytics. Collaborate with a diverse team to modernize workflows and translate complex data insights into actiona...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing AI applications in genomics by coordinating multi-disciplinary collaborations, managing scientific projects, and facilitating data sharing to drive innovation in genomic i...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading the Genomics AI Initiative, coordinating complex scientific collaborations, and driving operational excellence across multidisciplinary teams to advance AI applications in...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Champion the development of innovative modeling capabilities to enhance our advanced simulation framework, collaborating with engineers to integrate numerical methods and apply machine learning for mo...

Seattle, WARemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of user experience research by collaborating on diverse projects to improve usability across consumer electronics, medical devices, and AI applications. Drive insights through rigorou...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of user experience research by leading diverse projects that analyze human interaction with technology, enhancing design through actionable insights and cross-disciplinary collaborati...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$104K - $186K *

Join a team that's advancing pediatric cancer research through innovative preclinical studies. Collaborate with experts to develop and oversee therapeutic testing, ensuring compliance and excellence i...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$202K - $253K *

Lead strategic initiatives in risk management, overseeing multidisciplinary teams to enhance data analytics and insights for informed decision-making in housing and mortgage risk or risk data and anal...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading healthcare data analyses and experiments. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product capabilities and deliver impactful insights that drive client success and innova...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$307K - $427K *

Lead the charge in advancing agentic AI research, driving innovation and collaboration across teams to shape the future of AI platforms and infrastructure. Your expertise will guide strategic research...

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$192K - $260K *

Champion innovative AI solutions for Prime Video, leveraging deep learning and machine learning to enhance user experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and evaluate i...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$67K - $101K *

Advance your career by executing experiments and analyzing data to support innovative biomarker measurement projects. Collaborate in a dynamic lab environment, contributing to reagent and assay develo...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by providing expert epidemiological insights into occupational exposures for military aviation and firefighter data sets, driving impactful research and analysis to enhance safety...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$153K - $265K *

Lead the development of innovative software solutions for National Security, focusing on complex algorithms, system integration, and mentoring. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational capabiliti...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate your career by leading Test and Evaluation for interceptor systems, managing the testing lifecycle to meet DoD standards while guiding a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with milita...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.