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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$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

$207K - $300K *

Innovate safety and security protocols for large language models. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user-facing systems while ensuring ethical integrity and alignment in machine intel...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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 6 days 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

$87K - $108K *

Shape the future of brain health by coordinating scientific projects, managing budgets, and ensuring effective communication among teams. Leverage your project management skills to drive impactful res...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $150K *

Shape the future of applied science by leading a dynamic team to develop and implement quantitative models, driving insights that enhance marketplace performance and inform strategic decisions across...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$86K - $106K *

Contribute to cutting-edge image processing and analysis of large-scale Electron Microscopy datasets, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to enhance understanding of brain function and cell ty...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI research and policy. As a Research Manager, you'll lead interdisciplinary projects, mentor junior researchers, and collaborate with experts to drive impactf...

Today

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

$85K - $116K *

Shape the future of semiconductor applications by designing and synthesizing innovative organic molecules. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive research, scale processes, and enhance material perf...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $140K *

Deliver impactful project leadership in a multi-phase AI integration program, ensuring timely execution and alignment with strategic goals while fostering collaboration across technical and leadership...

Virginia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $217K *

Transform business strategy into execution as a strategic partner to leadership. Drive cross-functional initiatives, enhance operational discipline, and ensure alignment across departments to achieve...

Today

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

$73K - $121K *

Manage complex investigations for product quality issues, ensuring timely root cause analysis and compliance with established procedures. Collaborate with teams to implement corrective actions and mai...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$73K - $121K *

Manage investigations for product quality complaints and failures, ensuring compliance with regulations. Act as a quality resource, conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions t...

North York, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$280K - $300K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions in workforce management, leading product development from concept to deployment. Collaborate with engineers and executives to create impactful agentic products that enh...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.