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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$170K - $250K *

Join us to lead the commercialization strategies for innovative fusion power plants. You'll drive customer engagement and partnership development, shaping long-term contracts to transform the energy l...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K - $147K *

Lead innovative cell-based assay development to advance immune-oncology research. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate impactful data, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to drug d...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $145K *

Lead the development of a nationwide paleontological resources practice, overseeing technical projects, client relationships, and strategic growth while ensuring compliance with federal and state regu...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$270K - $500K *

Unlock innovative AI solutions as a Staff or Principal Machine Learning Engineer, focusing on research, optimization, and deployment of advanced ML systems. Drive the evolution of intelligent applicat...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $256K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative LC-MS proteomics research, driving scientific excellence, and managing a dynamic team to address complex biological challenges and enhance analytical capabilitie...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Transform RNA-therapeutics delivery by leading innovative programs from design to in vivo validation, ensuring a comprehensive, hands-on approach to experimental decisions across safety, potency, and...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $175K *

Empower scientific innovation by collaborating within product pods to develop and evaluate real-world evidence agents. Drive impactful research and ensure scientific rigor while partnering with indust...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$137K - $235K *

Drive innovative AI solutions for autonomous laboratory experimentation, leading the design and validation of advanced models. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance scientific discovery and optimi...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Join us in advancing innovative medicine through cutting-edge AI and robotics. As a Senior Principal Investigator, you'll lead the development of autonomous lab systems, enhancing experimental outcome...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Join a team that's pioneering Physical AI for autonomous lab experimentation. Lead the development of innovative AI models and systems that enhance scientific discovery, optimize workflows, and improv...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$152K - $278K *

Elevate innovation by designing and deploying advanced AI solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive business impact through cutting-edge technology and data-driven strategies in a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$177K - $281K *

Drive innovation by leading scientific data preparedness initiatives, enhancing data harmonization and AI readiness across workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish standards and...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$177K - $281K *

Transform the future of scientific data preparedness by leading initiatives that enhance data harmonization, AI readiness, and integration across workflows. Drive strategy and execution while building...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $175K *

Drive executive effectiveness by partnering with leadership to enhance decision-making, align priorities, and execute strategic initiatives. Foster organizational change and ensure measurable outcomes...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Manage cross-functional projects from planning to delivery, ensuring effective scope, timeline, and budget management while fostering Agile practices and stakeholder collaboration for successful outco...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $300K *

Join a team that's pioneering AI-driven biological research, developing reinforcement learning methods and generative models. Influence core strategies and work with cutting-edge tech to bridge modeli...

Emeryville, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$201K - $373K *

Engineer unified computational workflows that bridge ML models and operational procedures, enhancing drug discovery processes. Collaborate cross-functionally to standardize SOPs and leverage data inte...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$203K - $305K *

Inspire meaningful change as you lead the design and execution of crucial clinical trials in immunology, ensuring data integrity and guiding regulatory strategy to accelerate therapeutic development f...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$252K - $280K *

Accelerate progress at our Delivery team by leading a high-performing group of scientists. Drive strategic initiatives, optimize product experiences, and collaborate cross-functionally to enhance the...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$252K - $280K *

Lead a high-performing team of scientists to drive strategic initiatives, optimize product experiences, and influence long-term technical direction while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver im...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$252K - $280K *

Transform the Eater and Merchant experience by leading a team of scientists to drive strategic initiatives, optimize product metrics, and enhance marketplace design through innovative data-driven solu...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$140K - $175K *

Transform data into insights by designing and maintaining scalable knowledge graph solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data quality and accessibility, while optimizing perform...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$155K - $215K *

Pioneer innovative computational biology solutions by leading a team to integrate data-driven approaches with experimental validation, enhancing protein design and manufacturability for commercial suc...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$207K - $300K *

Empower innovation by leading research in generative AI and LLMs. Drive experiments, manage projects, and collaborate with experts to develop cutting-edge solutions that address real-world challenges...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$78K - $156K *

Transform the future of neuromodulation by leading innovative research initiatives that integrate neuroscience, AI, and biomarker discovery to advance next-generation therapies and personalized treatm...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.