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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$183K - $257K *

Transform the future of AI in healthcare by architecting scalable, agent-based solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn innovative concepts into reliable products that enhance user w...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $256K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI-driven scientific platforms. You’ll design, build, and optimize backend systems and data infrastructures, collaborating with experts to elevate orchestratio...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$168K - $272K *

Pioneer strategic enterprise relationships in physical sciences, driving revenue through multi-year account strategies and executive engagement. Shape commercial strategy and negotiate large agreement...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Transform healthcare data solutions by designing scalable architectures, optimizing data pipelines, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-qu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing data management and analysis for critical defense operations. You'll support the Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management Division by implement...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Optimize the product life cycle for a forensic portfolio, collaborating with teams to ensure commercial success and align solutions with customer needs in forensic and paternity testing labs...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$198K - $222K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative data solutions in healthcare. Drive strategy and execution for complex enterprise deployments while mentoring a high-performing team and building executive relat...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$198K - $222K *

Engage in shaping AI-driven data solutions, leading a high-impact team to enhance enterprise deployments in healthcare. Drive strategy and execution while fostering partnerships with senior leaders to...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in drug discovery as a medicinal chemist, optimizing lead molecules through innovative strategies and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to advance therapeutic candidates in a...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$275K - $425K *

Shape the future of bioindustrial manufacturing by leading and expanding our new Defense & Industrial Base Services unit, driving growth and strategy while serving government and commercial customers...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$275K - $425K *

Grow and lead a new business unit focused on defense services, connecting government needs with innovative bio-industrial solutions. Drive strategy, financial performance, and develop multidisciplinar...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$84K - $90K *

Unlock innovative solutions as you lead analytical research in a collaborative lab environment, utilizing advanced techniques in spectroscopy and chromatography to meet client needs and ensure complia...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $170K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of AI and healthcare! Collaborate to develop advanced algorithms and predictive models for next-gen medical devices, driving innovation in biomedical signal pro...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $160K *

Innovate with us as a Solutions Architect, driving technical sales and enhancing customer experiences across diverse data center operations, while shaping product direction and empowering the sales te...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $170K *

Empower materials discovery by developing advanced XRD workflows, interpreting data, and collaborating with AI and automation teams to deliver reliable, structured, machine-readable characterization d...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Transform your career by leading cross-functional teams to drive drug development strategies. Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure successful execution of integrated plans, manage risks, and de...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative machine learning research to enhance recommendation systems. Collaborate across teams to translate findings into impactful AI solutions, while mentoring peers an...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$97K - $170K *

Lead data-driven initiatives to enhance monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, collaborating with diverse teams to analyze real-world data and inform impactful public health strategies across m...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$270K - $330K *

Champion the design and strategy for enterprise-scale AI systems, guiding engineering teams to implement innovative, secure AI architectures in a SaaS environment while ensuring robust safety and cont...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Staffing

$112K - $187K *

Unlock potential by leading complex analytics and AI consulting engagements, translating client needs into scalable solutions. Drive innovation, mentor peers, and deliver impactful insights while coll...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$252K - $336K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance AI models for customer-specific workflows. Leverage your expertise in post-training and evaluation to drive model quality and reliability, collaborating with researchers...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$252K - $336K *

Drive the adaptation of advanced AI models to meet customer-specific needs, ensuring reliable workflows and high-quality outputs through expert post-training and evaluation techniques in a collaborati...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$350K - $500K *

Advance the post-training stack for AI models by optimizing techniques and ensuring model quality, safety, and performance. Collaborate across research and engineering to implement innovative methodol...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$350K - $500K *

Unlock potential by implementing and optimizing advanced post-training techniques for AI models, driving improvements in quality and safety while collaborating across teams to enhance production capab...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $193K *

Empower innovation in machine learning to enhance Prime Video's search and discovery experience, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that benefit...

2 weeks ago

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

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.