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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$107K - $120K *

Transform K-12 policy engagement by leading analytical efforts, tracking legislation, and shaping strategic recommendations to influence educational stakeholders and enhance instructional quality...

2 weeks ago

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

$142K - $193K *

Innovate cutting-edge ML/AI models to enhance critical products. Collaborate across teams to meet business needs, prototype solutions, and communicate insights effectively. Stay ahead in AI advancemen...

Today

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

$126K - $215K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative LNP delivery research, designing in vivo studies, and collaborating across teams to advance CAR-T therapies. Drive impactful results in a dynamic environment whi...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $250K *

Lead cross-functional program management for quantum computing product delivery, ensuring reliable operation and customer success. Collaborate with engineering and operations to drive execution and tr...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $180K *

Join a dynamic project management team driving successful engineering contract execution. Lead customer relations, manage schedules and budgets, and ensure timely delivery while mitigating risks. Shap...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of our organization by ensuring seamless communication and decision-making across teams. As a strategic partner, drive high-priority projects and enhance operational effectiveness to...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $184K *

Transform consumer insights into strategic growth initiatives. Lead high-impact transformation programs across portfolios, ensuring consumer understanding drives decisions and measurable business outc...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$97K - $100K *

Join a dynamic team to drive scientific innovation and project management in molecular operations, enhancing diagnostic protocols and automated technologies while mentoring staff and ensuring complian...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $160K *

Unlock potential by developing and validating machine learning models that transform sensor data into actionable insights, collaborating closely with engineering teams and customers to enhance product...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$179K - $235K *

Support scientific operations across research programs, managing data rooms and IP workflows. Collaborate with leaders to ensure program accuracy and readiness, driving process improvements in a fast...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Contribute to groundbreaking machine learning research, developing innovative algorithms and systems that impact AI-driven products globally. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate resea...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in innovative tissue engineering to develop bioengineered lung models. Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team to design experiments, optimize culture systems, and advance pivotal rese...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$255K - $357K *

Champion innovation by leading the hardware development lifecycle, driving complex technical solutions, and mentoring engineers to elevate design standards across disciplines while ensuring high-volum...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $190K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional onboarding and support for enterprise clients. You'll manage cross-functional projects, ensuring timely launches and customer satisfaction while...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$131K - $225K *

Drive laboratory excellence by leading analytical operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and technical integrity. Collaborate across teams to meet mission goals while fostering workforce development...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Join an innovative team focused on defining and measuring frontier model capabilities through evaluation methodologies and robust reinforcement learning environments, influencing decision-making in hi...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$204K - $250K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring drug safety and compliance. Lead pharmacovigilance efforts for cardiovascular assets, managing risk assessments and safety reporting while collaborating across...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Drive the development of innovative evaluation methodologies and peak performance benchmarks in reinforcement learning, collaborating with diverse teams to shape cutting-edge solutions for frontier la...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$204K - $310K *

Transform enterprise systems by architecting robust infrastructures that drive scalable, secure AI-driven scientific solutions for global organizations. Lead with high autonomy in a dynamic environmen...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Transform corporate research partnerships by developing strategies that align industry needs with academic expertise, fostering collaborations that drive innovation and secure funding for groundbreaki...

2 weeks ago

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

$160K - $200K *

Elevate your career by leading corporate research partnerships that drive innovation and collaboration. In this strategic role, you'll engage with industry leaders, foster transformative alliances, an...

2 weeks ago

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

$210K - $250K *

Lead the development of a cutting-edge orbital transfer vehicle, overseeing all technical aspects from design to flight. Collaborate with teams and manage suppliers to ensure successful integration an...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Take ownership of advancing AI-driven identity and compliance solutions. Lead a high-performing data science team, architecting advanced machine learning systems and intelligent workflows to solve com...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in building advanced AI solutions for identity and compliance, spearheading data science initiatives and driving intelligence across core products to enhance decision-making and meet r...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $210K *

Create innovative AI-driven identity and compliance solutions by overseeing data science initiatives, enhancing modeling capabilities, and leading a high-performing team to optimize workflows and deli...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.