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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$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

$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

$120K - $180K *

Lead and manage clinical and technical research projects across global regions, ensuring compliance and quality throughout the project lifecycle. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive succe...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $200K *

Transform groundbreaking quantum research through leadership, creativity, and innovation, guiding a world-class scientific team to explore profound questions in quantum information science and develop...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in shaping regulatory strategies for state and federal compliance. Drive impactful initiatives, manage teams, and represent the organization effectively before regulatory bodies, ensur...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$140K - $200K *

Accelerate your career as a senior engineer, driving AI and data solutions for biotech and pharmaceutical labs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative integrations and mentor ju...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate your career by partnering with the founder to drive strategic initiatives, manage investor relations, and tackle high-priority projects that shape the company's future. Own the execution of...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$167K - $226K *

Innovate your career by driving materials integration R&D for superconducting quantum processors. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to optimize processes and enhance device performance in cut...

1 week ago

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

$160K - $200K *

Oversee strategic planning and execution of enterprise-wide initiatives, collaborating with senior leaders to enhance business capabilities and performance. Lead diverse teams to drive impactful proje...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$160K - $200K *

Champion the development of policy strategies that guide product decisions, ensuring compliance and safety while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tr...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing a comprehensive counterintelligence program, advising on threats and risks while managing a skilled team to protect national security interests across diver...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by leading acquisition strategies and program management efforts, ensuring effective development and deployment of critical systems while collaborating with senior leadership to me...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Deliver strategic program management and acquisition services, ensuring effective development, production, and deployment of defense systems while meeting cost, schedule, and performance objectives in...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $225K *

Transform optical alignment processes by developing automated solutions that enhance production efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize systems, ensuring robust, r...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$75K - $145K *

Empower our leadership team by managing complex operations and enhancing productivity. Collaborate across diverse teams to support high-priority initiatives at the intersection of AI and national secu...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

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

$190K - $230K *

Shape the future of scientific services by leading global product strategy, driving revenue growth, and ensuring operational excellence. Collaborate with experts to deliver innovative solutions that m...

Massachusetts, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$265K - $300K *

Shape the future of neurodegenerative disease diagnostics by leading scientific strategy, driving research programs, and building expert networks to establish industry leadership in innovative solutio...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$144K - $216K *

Empower clinical innovation by leading trials and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive drug development strategies and ensure high-quality deliverables in a dynamic environment...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $250K *

Lead and inspire a diverse team of data scientists to drive product strategy, utilizing data insights to enhance offerings and influence cross-functional collaboration for impactful decision-making...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 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.