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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$115K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to analyze engineering data, perform calculations, and prepare expert reports. Collaborate on geotechnical projects, ensuring quality and precision while contributing to innovative...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive impactful oceanographic and acoustic studies to enhance METOC forecasting for naval operations. Collaborate with experts to develop training and instructional materials, ensuring operational rea...
3 days ago
Director, Institute for Disease Modeling
$412K - $500K+*
Lead the Institute for Disease Modeling, shaping scientific direction and strategy to enhance global health impact through innovative modeling and analytics. Collaborate with foundation leaders to inf...
Yesterday
$172K - $223K *
Unlock your potential by leading the development of evaluation frameworks and data protocols for robotic capabilities, enhancing system performance through innovative methodologies and collaboration a...
Today
$172K - $223K *
Unlock the potential of robotics by designing evaluation frameworks and data protocols. Lead innovative projects that enhance robot capabilities and improve real-world task performance through rigorou...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion operational excellence by leading client delivery initiatives, enhancing relationships, and driving strategic growth. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure successful engagements and excee...
Today
Director, Scientific Capability Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Lead the strategic direction and operational management of scientific tools and APIs, driving capability enablement across multiple scientific domains while fostering a culture of excellence and innov...
3 days ago
Scientist II, Research Associate
$80K - $100K *
Drive innovation in laboratory settings by executing experiments, analyzing data, and enhancing product development for CMP applications. Collaborate with a team to ensure safety and operational effic...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion the future of healthcare by leading cutting-edge ML research in NLP and clinical AI. Collaborate with experts to translate innovative ideas into impactful solutions that enhance patient outco...
5 days ago
$160K - $190K *
Shape the future of healthcare by leading applied research in NLP and clinical AI. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate innovative research into impactful production systems that enhan...
5 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Partner with us to advance nano-photonics research for wearable AR systems. You’ll design, build, and validate cutting-edge optical components in a collaborative, fast-paced environment focused on imm...
4 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Transform talent strategy into actionable plans, leading high-impact projects and initiatives across a global organization. Collaborate with leaders to enhance processes, drive hiring efforts, and fos...
1 week ago
Head of Learning and Continual Improvement
$150K - $180K *
Drive operational excellence by integrating training, investigations, and performance improvement strategies. Lead a high-performing team to enhance organizational capabilities and foster a culture of...
2 days ago
$148K - $263K *
Drive the design and implementation of AI-First operational environments, architecting resilient multi-cloud networks and building autonomous orchestration layers to enhance security and efficiency ac...
1 week ago
Principal Scientist I - Molecular Histology Scientist
$114K - $211K *
Innovate in the Molecular Histology Laboratory by developing and optimizing advanced tissue-based assays. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance preclinical toxicology and drug developmen...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing natural resources and ensuring environmental compliance. This role involves overseeing surveys, data analysis, and project support while collaborating with var...
2 weeks ago
Director of Federal Partnerships
$170K - $185K *
Drive strategic federal partnerships by leading opportunity pipelines, engaging stakeholders, and executing capture strategies. Shape impactful relationships within the U.S. Department of Defense and...
2 days ago
$180K - $220K *
Manage and scale technical teams while architecting a robust, integrated system across hardware, firmware, software, and machine learning. Lead the execution of the company's technical vision in a han...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Support clinical studies by assisting with scientific conduct, data reconciliation, and protocol management. Engage with stakeholders to ensure compliance and operational excellence across multiple st...
Reposted yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Drive clinical innovation by supporting the operational delivery of pivotal studies, collaborating cross-functionally, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Play a key role in the medical m...
3 weeks ago
Distinguished Engineer, AI Threat Defense
$198K - $368K *
Shape the future of cybersecurity with innovative AI threat defense strategies. Drive technical excellence in a collaborative environment, enhancing detection and response capabilities against evolvin...
Reposted 6 days ago
Distinguished Engineer, AI Threat Defense
$198K - $368K *
Grow your career with a leading-edge role focused on AI threat defense strategies and monitoring, enhancing cyber resilience against evolving AI-driven cyberattacks through innovation and collaboratio...
Reposted 6 days ago
Distinguished Engineer, AI Threat Defense
$198K - $368K *
Help us enhance our AI threat defense strategy and response capability, driving technical architecture and hands-on engineering within a senior technical role that balances influence and mentorship ac...
Reposted 6 days ago
Special Security Representative
$99K - $131K *
Advance security solutions by managing compliance, physical security, personnel security, and risk management. Collaborate with teams to ensure effective training and incident response while fostering...
Reposted 2 days ago
Director of Data, Automation, and Intelligence Services
$140K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading data engineering and analytics initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and actionable insights across the institution. Drive operational efficiency through automation an...
2 weeks ago
What does a Chief Scientist do?
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?
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?
Chief Scientists work in fields including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing.
How much do Chief Scientists earn?
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?
Browse Chief Scientist listings on Ladders and review each role’s salary information, responsibilities, location, and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your background.