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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$180K - $230K *

Accelerate progress at a critical intersection of technology and defense by leading business development initiatives to capture new opportunities, cultivate customer relationships, and drive strategic...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$180K - $230K *

Shape the future of AI marketing technology by enhancing multi-channel agents, optimizing performance, and building a skilled AI team in a dynamic startup environment...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$180K - $230K *

Empower the future of AI marketing by leading the development of intelligent multi-channel agents. Collaborate with founders to enhance architecture and evaluation systems, ensuring high-quality outpu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$93K - $156K *

Champion cutting-edge high-content imaging solutions to support small molecule discovery and optimization across therapeutic areas, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to translate data into...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$195K - $312K *

Advance user modeling by driving complex AI projects end-to-end, collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate cutting-edge research into impactful solutions for home shopping experiences...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$252K - $280K *

Transform marketing strategies by leading a team of Applied Scientists to quantify the impact of investments through advanced analytics, causal inference, and machine learning, driving data-driven dec...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$252K - $280K *

Advance innovation by leading a team of Applied Scientists to transform business challenges into actionable scientific strategies, driving AI and ML integration for optimized decision-making and marke...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$130K - $180K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative life sciences projects by managing multidisciplinary teams, ensuring technical excellence, and collaborating with clients to achieve cutting-edge solutions for...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$248K - $310K *

Join a dynamic team to drive advanced AI solutions in drug discovery and clinical operations. Lead a team while hands-on coding and deploying AI applications, ensuring a seamless bridge between techno...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$245K - $332K *

Join us to lead the PV Science department, driving strategic safety management and aggregate reporting for all products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance risk management processes an...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$245K - $332K *

Drive strategic leadership in pharmacovigilance, managing teams to enhance safety profiles and aggregate reporting for all product lifecycles. Collaborate cross-functionally to implement risk manageme...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$105K - $178K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in AI for biological research. Manage projects, budgets, and staffing while collaborating with scientists and engineers to ensure successful program execution and...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's pioneering innovative solid-form strategies for bRo5 molecules. Leverage your expertise in materials science to drive advanced screening approaches and collaborate across discipline...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$102K - $163K *

Lead the development and management of data systems for monitoring and evaluation across health programs. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality, support capacity building, and drive strategic...

2 weeks ago

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

$87K - $135K *

Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic Knowledge Management program that enhances IT support services, fosters collaboration, and drives efficiency for a large-scale enterprise environment. Make a...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$114K - $234K *

Partner with us to drive complex programs that influence strategic outcomes, aligning diverse teams and stakeholders. This role demands strong leadership and communication skills to navigate challenge...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape cutting-edge optimization solutions to enhance clinician-patient matching, transforming logistical challenges into actionable models. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve operation...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Transform research compliance by leveraging AI tools to streamline workflows, enhance documentation processes, and support faculty at the HBS AI Institute. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure adh...

Today

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

$85K - $110K *

Drive business growth by identifying and qualifying federal procurement opportunities, focusing on healthcare contracts. Collaborate on capture strategies and build partnerships to enhance win probabi...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform the future of quantum technology by developing ultraprecise devices for navigation and communications. Engage in hands-on prototyping and deployment, contributing to innovative solutions fro...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$124K - $207K *

Lead a high-performing team driving innovative vaccine process development, providing strategic scientific leadership for polysaccharide fermentation and purification. Influence key decisions from dev...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$145K - $220K *

Transform the landscape of advanced electro-optic systems by designing, prototyping, and deploying integrated camera systems. Collaborate across disciplines to solve critical national challenges, emph...

Reposted 6 days ago

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

$145K - $220K *

Discover innovative solutions as a Technical Staff member, leveraging expertise in military space operations and technical initiatives to address complex challenges and advance mission capabilities th...

Reposted 6 days ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing our clinical research program, driving strategy and execution for microbiome-based studies. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure scientific rigor and regulatory compli...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$163K - $236K *

Advance your career by joining a dynamic team focused on integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into innovative product experiences, driving strategy and collaboration across research and developmen...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 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.