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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$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

San Francisco, CARemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$198K - $269K *

Deliver pioneering optimization algorithms that enhance supply chain efficiency and effectiveness across global operations. Lead a team in solving complex challenges from product selection to inventor...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$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

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

$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

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

$160K - $200K *

Lead the strategic direction of Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance, ensuring compliance and operational excellence for innovative neurotechnology products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Hedra is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to assist in the development and implementation of machine learning models, particularly focusing on data processing and model testing. This role is ideal...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $130K *

Transform product development by leading innovative research initiatives, mentoring junior scientists, and collaborating across teams to ensure consumer-focused solutions that meet safety and sustaina...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$85K - $100K *

Shape the future of geospatial science by leading complex projects, managing datasets, and influencing policy decisions. Collaborate with teams to create tactical products that enhance situational awa...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$86K - $117K *

Elevate pharmaceutical innovation by leading hands-on research in 3D printing and formulation development. Collaborate across teams to enhance global access to quality medicines through cutting-edge c...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Lead the technical direction of Geosciences, shaping sustainable decisions and building a multidisciplinary team to support growth and operational excellence across surface and underground mining oper...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.