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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$83K - $116K *

Shape the future of pharmaceutical development by leading analytical projects and supervising a dedicated team. Ensure compliance with industry standards while optimizing processes and methodologies t...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$106K - $142K *

Join our team to lead innovative research initiatives, driving scientific advancements and collaborating across disciplines. This role requires strategic thinking and expertise to tackle complex chall...

1 week ago

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

$140K - $170K *

Innovate and lead the development of advanced microarray patch manufacturing processes. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance throughput and quality, while mentoring a talented team in a dynamic...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$108K - $130K *

Empower your career by transforming data into actionable insights. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop predictive models and automate data processes, contributing to the modernization of critica...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of advanced ML systems, driving technical vision, and integrating AI solutions across the organization to enhance operational efficiency and deliver impactf...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advancing military communications systems through innovative research and program management, ensuring alignment with operational needs and strategic objectives across multiple conc...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $170K *

Transform drug development by providing expert in vivo study support and animal care. Collaborate with veterinarians to execute pharmacokinetic studies, ensuring high standards of animal welfare and r...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $160K *

Unlock your potential as a computational scientist, driving innovation in semiconductor manufacturing through advanced simulations and machine learning. Collaborate with a dynamic team to model and va...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $197K *

Join a team that's redefining scientific innovation by managing the product vision and roadmap for cutting-edge Chemistry AI systems. Collaborate across disciplines to translate complex needs into act...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Drive the development of advanced data solutions, transforming complex data into actionable insights while overseeing machine learning workflows and analytical platforms in a multidisciplinary environ...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$204K - $346K *

Pioneer innovative chemistry strategies and lead a high-impact team to advance discovery and platform efforts across molecules, nanoparticles, and AI-driven experimentation...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$89K - $134K *

Drive advanced analytics and research frameworks for public program evaluation, transforming complex datasets into actionable insights. Lead high-impact projects, collaborating with stakeholders to en...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$125K - $150K *

Champion innovative multimodal solutions by developing advanced ML systems for creative tasks, enhancing agentic capabilities, and integrating complex data for real-world applications in a collaborati...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$80K - $95K *

Empower public health initiatives by designing and implementing epidemiologic studies using real-world data. Collaborate with experts to analyze complex datasets and contribute to impactful scientific...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $150K *

Champion project management excellence by leading life sciences initiatives from planning to completion, ensuring alignment with client goals and delivering high-quality facilities that foster innovat...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$100K - $150K *

Lead life sciences projects from planning to completion, ensuring alignment with client goals and quality standards. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to manage budgets, schedules, and procurement...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$160K - $190K *

Oversee and optimize enterprise systems to enhance administrative and research operations. Lead a team to integrate technology solutions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals while fostering innova...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $190K *

Optimize the enterprise systems landscape to enhance administrative and research operations. Lead a team to integrate modern solutions, ensuring reliability and alignment with strategic goals while dr...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$163K - $278K *

Transform the future of nuclear modernization by leading technical integration and innovation for a critical program. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure robust design and qualification, driving...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Lead a dedicated team providing comprehensive program management support for advanced defense acquisition initiatives within the U.S. Space Forces, ensuring mission readiness through effective strateg...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive oversight and execution of program management for critical space acquisition projects, ensuring alignment with DoD processes. Lead a diverse team and enhance mission capabilities through strateg...

1 month ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$198K - $368K *

Build innovative AI-powered search solutions and shape the future of information retrieval by leading a high-performing team that drives effective AI research and product integration across diverse ap...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$198K - $368K *

Engineer cutting-edge AI solutions through strategic leadership in IR research, driving innovation in search and knowledge systems while building and mentoring high-performing teams to deliver impactf...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$142K - $193K *

Lead the development of AI solutions to prevent marketplace abuse, ensuring seller integrity through advanced risk detection models. Collaborate with teams to implement scalable systems that protect g...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$125K - $155K *

Empower innovation by managing Microsoft 365 services and AI solutions, ensuring seamless end-user support and infrastructure. Drive productivity through technology while maintaining security and comp...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.