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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$178K - $200K *

Lead the design and delivery of advanced analytics solutions, utilizing machine learning to drive data-informed business decisions. Collaborate with teams to translate complex data insights into actio...

Seattle, WARemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$178K - $200K *

Elevate your career by leading advanced analytics solutions that transform business challenges into data-driven insights. Collaborate with teams and clients to design innovative machine learning model...

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Join us to drive growth in the Life Sciences sector by leveraging real-world data solutions. This pivotal role requires consultative selling skills and a proven track record in building relationships...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $120K *

Transform the knowledge ecosystem by developing strategies and governance models that enhance information accessibility, streamline workflows, and empower teams to collaborate effectively, driving ope...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $193K *

Transform the customer experience by leveraging AI and machine learning to build innovative solutions that optimize product recommendations and enhance data-driven decision making in fast-paced enviro...

Reposted 1 month ago

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

$166K - $200K *

Shape the future of data analytics by driving impactful forecasting, operational analysis, and cloud product insights. Collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance data quality and infrastructure, e...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $250K *

Join a team that's redefining innovation leadership by overseeing operations, enhancing member experiences, and driving growth within a vibrant ecosystem for life sciences and deep tech startups...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $208K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing bioanalytical strategies for preclinical and early clinical programs, ensuring high-quality data delivery and regulatory compliance while mentoring junior s...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$112K - $179K *

Analyze and resolve national security questions by leveraging data science expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance data collection strategies and support intelligence production in a fast-paced e...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$112K - $179K *

Tackle critical national security questions by leveraging data science expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance data collection strategies and automate processes, ensuring adherence to standards w...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$176K - $282K *

Lead critical data analysis initiatives to enhance national security efforts. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop data strategies and improve analytic capabilities, ensuring adherence to standar...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $128K *

Engineer innovative data solutions to tackle national security challenges. Collaborate with teams to enhance analytic capabilities and automate processes, ensuring adherence to standards while interpr...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $234K *

Champion national security by leveraging data science expertise to analyze critical issues, enhance analytic capabilities, and collaborate with diverse teams to drive impactful solutions in a fast-pac...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$89K - $138K *

Transform your career by leading the Environmental Management Branch, overseeing compliance and project execution while guiding a dedicated team. Drive impactful environmental initiatives within a dyn...

Today

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

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on developing next-gen EO/IR sensors and systems. Collaborate on innovative projects from concept to demonstration, leading interdisciplinary teams t...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $350K *

Build advanced inference systems to enhance RL research, optimizing throughput and enabling scalable model updates. Collaborate with researchers to balance efficiency and quality in cutting-edge AI ar...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in AI and Machine Learning innovation, designing and deploying transformative models to enhance user experience, drive business growth, and improve operational efficiency collaborative...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$81K - $85K *

Engage in cutting-edge research on breast cancer progression and metastasis. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to NIH-funded projects, enha...

1 week ago

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

$81K - $85K *

Lead the charge in innovative breast cancer research, utilizing advanced techniques in cell biology and mouse models. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to explore tumor progression and metasta...

2 weeks ago

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

$131K - $237K *

Lead the charge in managing complex IT programs, ensuring product development and lifecycle management while coordinating multiple vendors and teams to meet customer needs and deliver on strategic obj...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$131K - $237K *

Lead the charge in managing complex IT programs, ensuring product development and lifecycle management while coordinating multiple vendors and Agile teams to meet customer needs and deliver on strateg...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$180K - $310K *

Bring your expertise to transform data into actionable insights, guiding product development as the first Data Scientist. Collaborate closely across teams to enhance AI features and product quality wh...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $125K *

Champion an innovative Systems Engineer role, collaborating with tech teams and vendors to advance product development, enhance designs, and tackle complex technical challenges in a dynamic environmen...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$113K - $140K *

Elevate our biochemistry integration efforts by developing and optimizing novel assays. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance system performance and contribute to innovative workflows, driving tec...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $250K *

Lead the charge in defining enterprise architecture for security operations, integrating advanced technologies for data collection and retention, detection engineering, and automated response, ensurin...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 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.