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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$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

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

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Elevate financial strategy and grant management by leading budgeting, forecasting, and reporting efforts. Collaborate with senior leadership to drive decision-making and ensure effective stewardship o...

Yesterday

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in complex avionics development, guiding cross-disciplinary teams through the full product lifecycle to deliver innovative solutions that enhance mission effectiveness and support U.S...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$250K - $275K *

Champion growth and excellence in our Intel practice by leading a dynamic team, managing P&L, and fostering strategic relationships within the Intelligence Community to drive innovative solutions and...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$85K - $136K *

Drive impactful Ebola response initiatives by providing strategic leadership and oversight for complex health programs, ensuring high-quality execution and compliance while fostering collaboration amo...

1 week ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Optimize genomic data analysis by engineering automated workflows and collaborating with physician-scientists on pediatric research initiatives. Leverage advanced data science and HPC to drive insight...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $185K *

Lead the development of innovative AI products that empower job seekers with evidence-based coaching and actionable insights, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to shape impactful...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $104K *

Champion UVic's research profile by developing strategic communications initiatives. Collaborate with teams to enhance visibility, attract funding, and promote research strengths through effective sto...

Victoria, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

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

$162K - $316K *

Engineer advanced generative models, optimizing architectures for privacy-sensitive training and deployment. Collaborate on large-scale systems ensuring robustness, efficiency, and innovation in priva...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$145K - $160K *

Develop and lead innovative fundraising strategies to engage high-net-worth donors. Build a robust individual giving program from the ground up, collaborating with executive leadership to secure unres...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead clinical pharmacology strategies and drive innovative modeling to enhance drug development. Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate pharmacokinetic insights into global plans, ensuring regula...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $163K *

Transform healthcare by leading data science initiatives that deliver advanced analytics and AI solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive impactful outcomes in Clinical Development...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $280K *

Elevate your career by leveraging your Cloud expertise to support critical mission software, ensuring seamless operations for our government clients through innovative technological solutions and coll...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $280K *

Elevate your career by providing cloud expertise to support critical government missions. Collaborate with a team dedicated to achieving cloud computing objectives and sustaining mission-critical soft...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$215K - $292K *

Transform enterprise architecture by defining standards and governance for data, AI, and integration solutions in a regulated life sciences environment. Lead a team while collaborating across technolo...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $150K *

Discover your potential in quantum sensing as a physicist or engineer, collaborating on state-of-the-art technology development in a dynamic team. Engage hands-on with complex systems and innovative s...

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$90K - $105K *

Elevate state policy through advanced analysis and strategic guidance. Lead subcommittee efforts on human services programs, ensuring legislative objectives are met while managing staff and conducting...

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$210K - $250K *

Lead the charge in engineering excellence, managing a global team to deliver high-quality software solutions that drive innovation and align with business goals while fostering a strong engineering cu...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $190K *

Drive strategic initiatives across GTM functions, enhancing decision-making and execution. Collaborate with senior leaders to tackle complex challenges, optimize operations, and elevate organizational...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$214K - $315K *

Lead and innovate global policy research, analyzing economic impacts to shape narratives that influence policymakers and stakeholders. Oversee a team dedicated to driving insights on local economies a...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$95K - $115K *

Pioneer innovative solutions in organic chemistry by designing and synthesizing compounds for novel ophthalmic medicines, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive research advancements and...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$124K - $155K *

Lead the Analytical Laboratory team, driving excellence in testing and quality assurance across manufacturing processes. Collaborate with R&D and operations to enhance laboratory capabilities and ensu...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

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.