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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$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

$180K - $220K *

Lead the charge in evidence generation and scientific communications, driving strategic initiatives to support gene therapy programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify evidence gaps...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$127K - $180K *

Shape the future of biologic therapeutics by developing and optimizing complex cell-based bioassays and potency assays, ensuring regulatory compliance and scientific rigor through effective collaborat...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Join us to lead academic governance and quality control at a premier institution, overseeing educational policies, accreditation, and faculty development to enhance national security education and tra...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $145K *

Lead and empower a multidisciplinary fabrication team, overseeing welding, assembly, and installation of ground support equipment. Drive technical excellence and manage complex projects while fosterin...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Lead and execute strategic partnerships in the life sciences sector, driving impactful collaborations and aligning internal teams to translate complex opportunities into actionable plans for measurabl...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $117K *

Lead the design and development of bioanalytical assays, ensuring feasibility and innovation. Collaborate with teams to enhance assay methodologies and provide technical guidance, while adhering to re...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$160K - $190K *

Champion strategic partnerships in life sciences, driving impactful collaborations and aligning research, product, and commercial strategies to enhance ecosystem engagement and measurable outcomes...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $220K *

Join a dynamic team as a Systems Engineering Manager, leading a group of experts in a high-stakes environment. Drive collaboration, manage technical tasks, and ensure successful execution of contract...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in systems engineering, overseeing a talented group of experts. Collaborate with government leaders to address complex challenges and ensure successful execution...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$171K - $222K *

Lead the charge in advancing hardware-aware machine learning, driving end-to-end solutions from research to production while collaborating with top engineers and scientists in a strategic growth area...

4 days ago

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

$150K - $250K *

Shape the future of defense operations by managing high-impact contracts, ensuring compliance, fostering team collaboration, and delivering innovative solutions while interfacing with key government s...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$185K - $277K *

Innovate and lead the AI Systems and Delivery organization, driving digital transformation through strategic governance and engineering excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver i...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$185K - $277K *

Champion digital transformation by leading AI Systems and Delivery, overseeing architecture standards, and managing a growing team to execute corporate AI strategies and initiatives effectively across...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$185K - $277K *

Join us to lead the AI Systems and Delivery organization, driving digital transformation through strategic governance and engineering excellence. Oversee a growing team, manage multi-million dollar po...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

The Data Scientist at Arch will help architect the intelligence layer of the company by developing and deploying predictive models to optimize campaign performance and customer behavior. This role inv...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to architect generative models that design proteins, advancing biology and curing diseases. Combine expertise in ML, data engineering, and a passion for optimization to drive impac...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$105K - $180K *

Innovate semiconductor manufacturing processes by leveraging advanced modeling, numerical methods, and software development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Elevate your career by joining a team that's pioneering innovative grant writing to secure funding for groundbreaking research in nanobiophysics, integrating physics, biomedicine, and nanotechnology t...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $120K *

Drive innovative research efforts to develop next-generation products, collaborating across teams to tackle technical challenges and ensure successful project execution from ideation to commercializat...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$170K - $200K *

Empower teams to innovate advanced optical engineering solutions for next-gen quantum computing. Lead design initiatives, collaborate with experts, and mentor talent while ensuring excellence in optic...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information 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.