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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$120K - $145K *

Transform the future of quality assurance by building scalable systems that audit training data, optimize workflows, and improve vendor collaboration in a fast-paced, innovative environment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock insights as you analyze and visualize complex datasets, driving critical decision-making for an Intelligence Community agency. Collaborate with teams to deliver actionable intelligence through...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$122K - $135K *

Optimize spacecraft autonomy and mission operations automation using advanced AI technologies. Engage in software development for real-time decision-making, planning, scheduling, and resource allocati...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$170K - $200K *

Drive the strategic vision for enterprise grants technology, ensuring alignment with federal priorities. Lead modernization efforts, integrating advanced technologies to enhance grants management and...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$158K - $190K *

Transform cancer genomics by collaborating with experts to develop innovative solutions for precision medicine, focusing on liquid biopsy and solid tumor analysis to enhance patient outcomes in immuno...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in shaping operational strategy to drive growth, overseeing execution across various functions. Collaborate with teams to streamline processes and facilitate decision-making, ensuring...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $220K *

Help us drive advancements in cutting-edge DoD technologies through systems analysis, contributing innovative solutions for critical missions and developing complex models while collaborating with int...

Reposted 5 days ago

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

$167K - $226K *

Join a dynamic team to design and implement advanced ML and GenAI systems that enhance compliance processes, driving efficiency and accuracy in regulatory change management while collaborating with cr...

3 days ago

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

$195K - $312K *

Elevate your career by assisting in the management of research programs, guiding project execution, and fostering staff development while ensuring compliance with corporate policies and maintaining sp...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative research in particle technology and separation materials. Drive scientific advancements and mentor teams while shaping the future of chromatography for diverse a...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$88K - $105K *

Empower your career by leveraging data science to drive decarbonization initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop scalable analytical solutions that address real-world emissions...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$200K - $280K *

Champion groundbreaking data science initiatives, leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning to drive impactful solutions for government clients. Collaborate with a dynamic team while engaging...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $280K *

Unlock the potential of data as you lead advanced analytical projects, collaborating with experts to enhance mission-critical systems for government clients while driving innovation in machine learnin...

Annapolis, MDRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$116K - $137K *

Join a dynamic neurobiology team to advance neuroscience research through innovative in vivo and ex vivo studies. Collaborate across functions to validate targets and develop therapeutics for neuropsy...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$145K - $220K *

Unlock potential by conducting innovative research in quantum computing applications, developing algorithms and circuit implementations, and collaborating with experts to solve significant scientific...

Reposted 6 days ago

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

$198K - $269K *

Invent cutting-edge models for complex reasoning tasks in a hands-on role. Collaborate with engineers and analysts to push AI capabilities, shaping the future of national security solutions through in...

3 days ago

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

$350K - $500K+*

Unlock potential by designing infrastructure for cutting-edge AI research. Collaborate to optimize deployment and enhance scientific capabilities, driving progress in developing advanced AI systems fo...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$243K - $365K *

Empower the future of healthcare security by leading a talented team of 20, driving innovative AI tools, and shaping a robust security strategy to protect sensitive data across diverse products and pl...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$243K - $365K *

Drive security strategy and leadership for a 20-person team, enhancing compliance, safety, and trust in AI-powered healthcare software. Collaborate with a range of disciplines to protect sensitive dat...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$243K - $365K *

Lead a 20-person security team, setting strategy for product and corporate security. Drive innovative AI security solutions and collaborate with leadership on quality and compliance in healthcare soft...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Champion proactive health innovation by designing models that forecast health dynamics and unify multimodal data. Collaborate with a dynamic team to transform unique datasets into actionable insights...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining health prediction through state-of-the-art modeling. Collaborate with top scientists to design and deliver models that assess and forecast patient health, working with di...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Elevate the standards of genetic diagnostics by leveraging your expertise to interpret sequencing variants and enhance patient care. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive innovations in our Whole E...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $275K *

Manage the delivery of GPU clusters for AI workloads by coordinating teams across engineering, networking, and operations. Develop strategies, manage risks, and ensure timely, quality launches to scal...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $300K *

Advance your career by leading the development of self-learning systems that enhance agent performance and resilience. Collaborate with leadership to innovate and optimize agentic integration solution...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

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.