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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$150K - $180K *

Partner with us to drive strategic initiatives and enhance operational efficiency across all business areas. Collaborate closely with leadership to optimize processes, manage projects, and support gro...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$68K - $194K *

Contribute to the development of innovative software systems, supporting research tasks through design, implementation, and optimization. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure robust architectures a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Drive scientific strategy and lead therapeutic programs in neurobiology, overseeing target validation to preclinical proof-of-concept. Collaborate with teams to identify novel targets and foster partn...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $93K *

Shape the future of policy and advocacy by leading impactful campaigns that drive systemic change for young adults affected by incarceration and poverty. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to eleva...

2 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Transform the future of AI by leading the development of innovative agent-based products. Own the entire lifecycle from concept to production, collaborating with a dynamic team to shape technical and...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$130K - $153K *

Transform the future of geoscience by leading AI initiatives and data-driven projects. Collaborate with experts to extract insights from complex datasets, ensuring scientific integrity and innovation...

Calgary, ABIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$130K - $153K *

Unlock potential by leading multi-disciplinary projects in geology and data science. Collaborate with experts to develop predictive models and AI solutions, enhancing geospatial intelligence for natur...

Edmonton, ABIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$405K - $485K *

Shape the future of user experiences by designing and building innovative memory and search systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance product quality and user engagement while ensuring privacy and...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$405K - $485K *

Join us to design and build innovative memory and search experiences that enhance user interaction across platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful products that prioritiz...

Seattle, WARemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$405K - $485K *

Join a team that's redefining user experiences by designing and shipping innovative memory and search features. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance product quality and user engagement while resp...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $300K *

Drive the modernization of technology and data infrastructure while leading a high-performing engineering team. This strategic role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to translate compl...

Reposted today

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

$125K - $150K *

Launch innovative solutions engineering by owning the technical pre-sales process, building credibility with IT leaders, and shaping demo strategies to articulate value and drive technical buy-in from...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Elevate the role of Solutions Engineer by defining and executing the technical pre-sales strategy, partnering with sales and product teams to create innovative solutions and demos that resonate with k...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Champion the future of science support services by managing faculty needs, overseeing equipment maintenance, and leading a dedicated team to enhance research and teaching environments across multiple...

2 days ago

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

$167K - $226K *

Innovate data-driven models and analytical solutions for machine learning applications. Collaborate on research, mentor junior staff, and identify opportunities to enhance business value through advan...

1 week ago

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

$150K - $250K *

Champion engineering excellence by leading technical strategy and talent development across a diverse portfolio. Drive innovation, enhance product delivery, and establish a strong technical presence i...

Kitchener, ONIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$126K - $160K *

Drive impactful software solutions by collaborating with sales teams, leading demos, and managing technical inquiries. Leverage your expertise to enhance customer experiences and support enterprise tr...

San Diego, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$126K - $160K *

Champion innovative software solutions by collaborating with sales teams, leading demos, and managing technical inquiries. Drive enterprise transactions while ensuring exceptional customer experiences...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$280K - $320K *

Engineer innovative AI solutions for life sciences startups, guiding them from concept to scale. Collaborate with teams to bridge AI capabilities and scientific needs, developing architectures and res...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Optimize healthcare innovation by leading human factors research for medical devices. Drive usability studies, mentor teams, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards while enhancing user experi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$145K - $170K *

Unlock potential by leveraging data science techniques to analyze intelligence data, develop predictive models, and communicate insights effectively to support decision-making in a dynamic environment...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a mission-driven team as a Senior Data Scientist, enhancing intelligence production through advanced analytics. Develop Python-based solutions, integrate diverse data sources, and modernize workf...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$94K - $147K *

Drive innovative product development in healthy beverages and snacks, leveraging your food science expertise to enhance our dairy offerings. Collaborate across teams to transform concepts into market...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$130K - $140K *

Transform your career by leading IT strategy and innovation for USMC aviation logistics. Oversee software development, manage resources, and ensure cybersecurity compliance while advising on emerging...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$254K - $381K *

Contribute to enterprise-wide AI adoption by leading technical initiatives, evaluating technologies, and building frameworks to enable impactful AI solutions across the organization while shaping the...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

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.