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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$145K - $220K *

Optimize signal processing solutions while leading innovative, multidisciplinary teams to revolutionize resilient space systems through simulation, analysis, and hands-on experimentation for practical...

Reposted 6 days ago

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

$90K - $96K *

Elevate oral care research by leveraging advanced bioinformatics and statistical analysis to transform complex omics data into actionable insights that enhance product development and improve health o...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the creation of impactful scientific content, enhancing medical education and patient outcomes. Collaborate cross-functionally, mentor writers, and drive excellence in heal...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Drive scientific excellence by leading assay execution, interpreting data, and collaborating across teams to ensure timely study progress and quality outcomes in a dynamic laboratory environment...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Manage and empower a multidisciplinary team in hydrogen isotope science, driving research and technical strategy while ensuring safety and compliance. Collaborate with sponsors to enhance the group's...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$205K - $308K *

Lead the charge in advancing digital investigations by defining technical strategies, driving innovation, and collaborating across teams to enhance capabilities in forensics, analytics, and operationa...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive execution of complex technical initiatives, translating business vision into actionable programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with company objectives and measurab...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $135K *

Advance educational research by analyzing data and synthesizing findings to enhance student access to advanced courses. Collaborate with stakeholders to design studies, build dashboards, and communica...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Engage with UMass Chan researchers to scout and evaluate innovative technologies, driving global commercialization initiatives and strategic partnerships within the biotech and pharmaceutical industri...

3 weeks ago

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

$285K - $315K *

Drive strategic initiatives within the RealmOne Foundry, overseeing P&L, aligning engineering efforts, and guiding product development to enhance national security solutions for intelligence and defen...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Shape the future of animal research by leading vivarium operations and compliance. Oversee IACUC programs, support investigators, and ensure regulatory adherence while managing financial performance a...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to leveraging data insights to drive strategic decisions. Utilize your expertise in data modeling and analysis to extract meaningful information from complex datasets, enh...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

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.