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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Data Scientist/PI - Evaluating Foundation Models and AI Agents for National Security
$140K - $228K *
Join a team advancing innovative data science for national security by designing novel evaluation frameworks and leading comprehensive research projects, while mentoring junior staff and contributing...
4 weeks ago
Sr Staff Program Manager, MES Custom Software Development Transformation
$233K - $271K *
Lead the charge in transforming our Manufacturing Execution System (MES) by driving strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and hands-on execution to modernize technology and enhance opera...
1 week ago
$105K - $130K *
Transform the future of bioassay development by leading innovative potency and cell-based assay strategies in a dynamic team, ensuring compliance and excellence in both development and GMP environment...
Yesterday
Program Management Senior Analyst - NNSA OST
$88K - $178K *
Manage records compliance and enhance workflows while developing dashboards for data-driven decisions. Collaborate across teams to support procurement and program management initiatives in a dynamic e...
2 days ago
Scientist I - Semiconductor Process
$80K - $95K *
Elevate our semiconductor R&D processes by developing and improving fabrication methods, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring project success through hands-on experimentation and...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Director of Software Engineering, Behaviors and Planning
$200K - $300K *
Lead a dynamic team of engineers in developing cutting-edge autonomous vehicle navigation solutions. Shape the technical direction, ensuring reliable and safe operations in complex environments throug...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Research Associate , Automated Chemistry
$80K - $118K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of high-throughput Chemistry innovation, driving hands-on experimentation and automation. Contribute to critical projects using advanced technologies to impact scie...
Reposted 1 week ago
$160K - $200K *
Oversee the full lifecycle of industrial capital projects, ensuring safety, quality, and budget adherence. Lead cross-functional teams and manage project controls while driving successful outcomes for...
4 days ago
$115K - $172K *
Advance cutting-edge metrology solutions by leading research and development projects, collaborating with partners, and driving innovation in semiconductor measurement technologies...
1 week ago
$115K - $172K *
Champion the development of cutting-edge metrology solutions, driving scientific research and collaboration to enhance semiconductor manufacturing technologies and support advanced measurement systems...
1 week ago
$85K - $117K *
Transform laboratory safety culture by overseeing compliance, training, and emergency management. Lead initiatives to enhance safety protocols and ensure regulatory adherence while fostering a proacti...
3 weeks ago
Director of Data Science and Bioinformatics
$186K - $232K *
Innovate within a dynamic team by establishing bioinformatics capabilities, architecting scalable infrastructure, and enhancing genomic algorithms to drive excellence in women's and organ health produ...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Research Scientist - Quantum Algorithms & Fault-Tolerant Applications
$185K - $265K *
Join a team that's pioneering fault-tolerant quantum applications by developing algorithms and workflows that enhance quantum computing's practical utility. Collaborate with experts to drive innovativ...
1 week ago
Program Chief Engineer, Cyclops (Remote considered)
$190K - $275K *
Elevate technical excellence as the Chief Engineer, guiding multidisciplinary teams to ensure mission success through robust architecture, requirements management, and strategic decision-making in com...
2 weeks ago
Program Chief Engineer, Cyclops (Remote considered)
$190K - $275K *
Drive the technical vision for a major interceptor product, ensuring mission success through robust architecture, requirements management, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Lead teams to maintain...
2 weeks ago
Account Director, Federal Civilian
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of federal AI adoption by managing key accounts, driving sales cycles, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions that enhance government missions an...
3 days ago
Research Engineer, Post-Training Model Evaluations
$500K+*
Drive the evaluation strategy for production models, ensuring accurate assessments of model quality. Collaborate with research teams, optimize measurement processes, and monitor live training runs to...
3 weeks ago
Research Engineer, Post-Training Model Evaluations
$500K+*
Lead the evaluation strategy for production models, ensuring accurate assessments of model quality. Collaborate with research teams, optimize measurement processes, and monitor live training runs to e...
3 weeks ago
Senior Research Engineering Scientist
$185K - $315K *
Champion the development of cutting-edge enterprise language models, leveraging AI and ML expertise to solve complex challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance model performance an...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of nuclear policy analysis, providing critical insights to senior leaders on nuclear integration and deterrence strategies. Collaborate with key stakeholders to e...
Today
Senior Scientist I, Cancer Immunology
$149K - $186K *
Accelerate cancer research by leveraging your immuno-oncology expertise to design and execute innovative studies, driving translational biomarker discovery and enhancing clinical development strategie...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $185K *
Elevate your career by joining a team that's pioneering computational chemistry innovations. Drive product strategy through advanced cheminformatics and machine learning, optimizing synthesis routes a...
Today
Technical Program Manager, Scientific Intelligence for Gemini, DeepMind (Full Time Contract)
$192K - $278K *
Lead the charge in advancing AI model development within scientific domains, managing complex projects that bridge engineering and research. Collaborate with experts to drive innovative solutions and...
1 week ago
Cyber Systems Exploitation Researcher
$145K - $220K *
Drive the development of cutting-edge cyber security tools and techniques, focusing on reverse engineering and exploiting critical software/hardware systems to enhance U.S. defense operations. Collabo...
Reposted 6 days ago
Executive Director, IT Quality & Compliance
$150K - $180K *
Champion IT quality and compliance initiatives, leading a global team in developing validation strategies, ensuring regulatory adherence, and driving risk assessments across diverse technologies and o...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
What does a Chief Scientist do?
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?
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?
Chief Scientists work in fields including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing.
How much do Chief Scientists earn?
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?
Browse Chief Scientist listings on Ladders and review each role’s salary information, responsibilities, location, and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your background.