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 charge in advancing scientific operations through innovative assay development, bioinformatics, and digital image analysis. Drive strategic initiatives, ensuring quality and compliance while...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $212K *

Transform drug substance development by leading innovative process chemistry investigations, managing cross-disciplinary teams, and solving complex challenges to ensure successful regulatory submissio...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$128K - $210K *

Shape the future of precision medicine by leading assay development and data analysis, guiding clinical strategies through cross-functional collaboration and innovative research partnerships...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$198K - $269K *

Lead the charge in revolutionizing life sciences with AI. Drive groundbreaking research and development in LLM reasoning and agentic AI, creating solutions that empower scientists and reshape drug dis...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in advancing laboratory diagnostics by conducting complex tests, mentoring junior scientists, and driving quality improvements to ensure data accuracy and reliability in a collaborativ...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic AI leadership team to shape strategies and solutions that merge human insight with advanced automation. Drive impactful AI initiatives, enhance governance, and optimize the AI budget wh...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$128K - $176K *

Partner with us to advance oral health through scientific leadership, driving evidence generation, claims development, and professional engagement to enhance consumer health outcomes in dental care an...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $133K *

Join a dynamic team to oversee biosimilar product development, ensuring compliance and quality from inception to launch. Collaborate with global vendors and internal teams to optimize processes and ac...

North York, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $133K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing biosimilar product development, collaborating with global vendors to ensure high-quality manufacturing processes and regulatory compliance from inception to l...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Architect innovative AI/ML solutions to enhance product safety analytics. Lead a team in developing data-driven insights, integrating advanced methodologies, and transforming hazard detection processe...

4 days ago

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

$157K - $174K *

Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$206K - $253K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your advanced analytical skills to drive data-driven decisions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex business goals into actionable insights, whi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $198K *

Innovate data solutions by managing the data lifecycle, conducting analyses, and translating insights into strategic recommendations to drive business growth and product development...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing reference standards qualification support, ensuring compliance with GMP regulations, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance analytical method performa...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$71K - $114K *

Join our team as a Technical Manager, MERL, overseeing data collection and project coordination across multiple country programs. Leverage your expertise to enhance MERL tools and ensure quality data...

2 weeks ago

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

$90K - $110K *

Drive innovation by tackling complex engineering challenges from concept to execution. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create cutting-edge robotic solutions that enhance everyday life, blending res...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform innovative ideas into functional prototypes by blending research and engineering. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle diverse challenges, from motion to sensing, ensuring solutions are...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$183K - $248K *

Join a dynamic team to drive impactful ML solutions, mentor junior scientists, and enhance advertiser experiences through advanced data techniques and applied science methodologies, fostering collabor...

2 weeks ago

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

$87K - $108K *

Innovate the future of genomic research by developing cutting-edge ML models for synthetic enhancer design. Collaborate in a dynamic lab environment to transform data into actionable insights, enhanci...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead a transformative data strategy, shaping AI integration while ensuring data security and actionable insights across multiple business functions. Collaborate with teams to drive operational efficie...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative AI research in oncology to enhance cancer care for Veterans. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop advanced methodologies for cancer detection, treatment, and survivorsh...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$210K - $250K *

Drive enterprise-wide physician leadership and clinical oversight for government healthcare programs. Ensure high-quality, compliant healthcare services across federal detention facilities with a focu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$160K - $200K *

Shape the future of data strategy and AI integration by leading a dynamic, cross-functional team that transforms complex datasets into actionable insights, driving efficiency and innovation across the...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$185K - $210K *

Lead and optimize global technology services across Adobe and Salesforce ecosystems. Drive strategic direction, client delivery, and team growth in a fast-paced environment. Champion technical excelle...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $170K *

Drive cross-functional collaboration to translate customer demands into actionable programs. Ensure clarity and alignment across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain while managing risks and d...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.