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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$160K - $260K *

Pioneer strategic leadership in Quality Assurance, ensuring compliance and excellence across U.S. operations. Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence while managing a high-performing t...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Pioneer innovative AI/ML workflows for numerical weather prediction, optimizing high-performance computing and cloud platforms. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance NOAA's Seasonal Fore...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$195K - $293K *

Lead the development and execution of comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, ensuring robust security architecture across diverse environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance secu...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Transform program management practices by developing governance frameworks, establishing policies, and coaching leaders. Drive efficiency and best practices across the portfolio while enhancing skills...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$160K - $180K *

Lead the charge in enhancing cybersecurity and IT programs across compliance, cloud, and application security. Collaborate with teams to implement secure practices in a hands-on role while driving ini...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$190K - $260K *

Transform client delivery in biotech by leading a high-performing team, driving operational excellence, and fostering innovation. Champion technology adoption and continuous improvement to enhance cli...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $209K *

Lead innovative translational immunology studies, guiding vaccine and therapeutic development through expert analysis of immune responses in preclinical and human models, while mentoring colleagues an...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $180K *

Champion analytical method development and validation for microneedle array patches. Lead a team in creating robust, regulatory-compliant methods from Phase 2 to commercialization, ensuring quality an...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Empower groundbreaking research by leading advanced experimental workflows in human immunology and multi-omics. Collaborate with teams to uncover immune mechanisms and drive translational science in a...

2 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining fintech by building scalable, secure credit solutions. As a key engineer, you'll drive technical direction and product delivery, shaping innovative systems in a fast-pace...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$87K - $108K *

Explore the intricacies of neural circuits by developing data-driven theories that reveal how brain connectivity shapes computation and behavior. Collaborate with experimentalists to transform theoret...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $185K *

Unlock potential by designing and deploying AI systems that enhance translational science, enabling evidence-based recommendations for drug discovery and target validation through innovative technolog...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Drive innovation in data science by developing algorithms for synthetic aperture radar imagery, enhancing analytics, and refining verification processes to optimize performance across diverse use case...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$260K - $340K *

Lead the charge in shaping AI governance policies by engaging with Senate leadership to transform AIPN’s vision into actionable legislation. Drive bipartisan collaboration while navigating complex nat...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$260K - $340K *

Drive impactful AI governance by engaging with Senate leaders to shape legislation, ensuring effective strategies for national security and technology policy, while fostering bipartisan coalitions and...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$108K - $227K *

Join a team dedicated to pioneering AI solutions as you lead applied research initiatives and translate advanced concepts into impactful outcomes for national security. Shape technical strategies and...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $140K *

Join the charge in driving customer success as a Senior Field Application Scientist. Lead evaluations, demonstrations, and installations while crafting essential materials and workflows to showcase ou...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$106K - $123K *

Advance the safety and design of geological repositories by conducting advanced numerical modeling and analysis of thermal, hydrological, and mechanical processes in support of high-level radioactive...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$114K - $165K *

Transform AI initiatives by establishing a scalable operating model that integrates cross-functional teams, enhances stakeholder collaboration, and drives transparency in roadmaps and reporting for a...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$114K - $165K *

Drive the establishment of a scalable AI program operating model, coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders to enhance collaboration, transparency, and delivery across AI initiatives, ensur...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$86K - $106K *

Advance your career by developing cutting-edge ML algorithms to model disease progression using multimodal data. Collaborate in a dynamic environment to enhance understanding of Alzheimer's pathology...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$103K - $180K *

Develop detailed analyses and computational models to assess radiation environments affecting naval weapon systems and personnel safety. Collaborate across teams, integrating scientific modeling with...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$103K - $180K *

Shape the future of defense technology as you conduct advanced radiation studies and modeling. Collaborate with a dedicated team to enhance Navy weapon systems through rigorous analysis, testing, and...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $190K *

Transform the future of remote sensing by leading research and algorithm development. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance EO/IR systems, applying advanced analytics to support critical...

Dayton, OHRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Champion analytical development to drive the design, filing, and launch of pharmaceutical products, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing laboratory efficiency through innovative...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.