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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Principal Scientist, Continuous Manufacturing
$120K - $150K *
Explore a pivotal role in continuous manufacturing, driving innovative process engineering for drug substance development. Collaborate across teams to enhance product quality and efficiency while ensu...
Reposted today
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of youth mental health research by leading analytical efforts to innovate data accessibility and deepen insights. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to trans...
4 weeks ago
Staff Scientist COE, Metablomics & Lipidomics
$150K - $220K *
Drive innovation in analytical workflows by delivering advanced omics demonstrations, developing reproducible methods, and providing scientific leadership to global teams, ensuring impactful customer...
Today
Senior Director - Artificial Intelligence/Super Intelligence
$260K - $290K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI across the enterprise, driving strategy, governance, and adoption. Your expertise will empower missions and enhance national security through innovative AI...
2 days ago
Scientist, LNP Discovery Biology
$81K - $122K *
Join a dynamic team to advance LNP biology through in vitro and ex vivo assays, supporting targeted delivery programs and in vivo studies, while collaborating on data analysis and protocol development...
Yesterday
$183K - $248K *
Lead a team of applied scientists to develop AI-driven seller risk detection systems. Oversee strategic planning, stakeholder partnerships, and scientific rigor while fostering a culture of innovation...
1 week ago
Senior Scientist, Bioanalytical Sciences
$126K - $181K *
Drive innovation in bioanalytical sciences by leading assay development and mentoring junior scientists. Collaborate across teams to assess immunogenicity of nucleic acid therapies, ensuring high-qual...
2 weeks ago
Principal Research Scientist - Risk
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic research team to drive innovative risk modeling and resilience strategies for utilities. Leverage advanced statistical methods to enhance infrastructure reliability and inform critical...
2 weeks ago
Principal Experimental Scientist - RF
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in advancing RF pre-ionization technology for fusion generators. Drive experimental design, execution, and performance optimization to achieve cutting-edge plasma systems while collabo...
Reposted today
Senior/Staff AI Scientist, Antibody Design
$150K - $180K *
Transform innovative protein design through advanced AI techniques, enhancing antibody drug discovery. Collaborate across disciplines to maximize efficiency and impact, while leading research that set...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Advance innovative chromatographic technologies by leading the research and development of novel materials. Collaborate across disciplines to synthesize and tailor materials for robust chromatographic...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to innovative preclinical studies by designing, analyzing, and reporting data. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance understanding of models and drive scientific insights that...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive impactful data science solutions by leveraging machine learning and causal inference expertise. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design effective algorithms, analyze complex datasets...
4 weeks ago
Scientist, Lentiviral Vector Cell Line Development
$95K - $115K *
Develop and optimize lentiviral vector producer cell lines, driving innovation in gene therapy. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance processes and contribute to cutting-edge biological e...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $148K *
Lead the charge in innovative wood protection technologies, managing a team to drive product development from concept to commercialization, while collaborating across teams to meet customer needs and...
Reposted 1 week ago
$144K - $160K *
Lead the charge in establishing a centralized gene editing screening function, driving high-quality experimental data for protein design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams while mentoring a dedi...
6 days ago
$190K - $245K *
Champion AI innovation by developing cutting-edge models that analyze real-time global data, enhancing threat intelligence and risk assessment. Collaborate with a diverse team to drive impactful solut...
Today
$190K - $245K *
Transform real-time AI research into impactful solutions by developing advanced models and systems that analyze global data, enhancing threat intelligence and decision-making for organizations worldwi...
Today
Portfolio Manager, Government Partnerships (DARPA & ARPA-H)
$168K - $272K *
Manage government partnerships by driving funding initiatives, building trusted relationships with programs like DARPA and ARPA-H, and shaping compelling narratives that connect groundbreaking science...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Research Scientist, STEM
$250K - $350K *
Engage in pioneering AI research by defining benchmarks, generating synthetic data, and enhancing evaluation methodologies. Drive innovative solutions in frontier STEM evaluation and agentic science t...
4 weeks ago
Senior Research Scientist, STEM
$250K - $350K *
Innovate in frontier AI research and evaluation, tackling high-impact challenges. Drive projects from hypothesis to publication, designing methodologies for benchmarks and synthetic data to enhance AI...
4 weeks ago
Senior Research Scientist, STEM
$250K - $350K *
Develop innovative benchmarks and methodologies to enhance AI systems, addressing gaps in frontier research while executing rigorous experiments and publishing findings to advance STEM fields. Collabo...
4 weeks ago
Research Scientist I - The Shalek Lab
$100K - $120K *
Analyze and integrate large-scale single-cell data to engineer cell states, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Lead computational efforts, design analyses, and mentor junior researchers in a...
Today
Principal Scientist I, Frontiers Target Champion
$108K - $201K *
Advance your career by driving innovative research in Biomedical Science. In this hands-on role, you'll lead experimental projects, mentor junior scientists, and collaborate across teams to explore ne...
Today
Principal Clinical Scientist (Neurodegenerative)
$120K - $130K *
Transform clinical trial strategies for neurodegenerative diagnostics, ensuring regulatory compliance and driving key milestones across US and EU markets. Collaborate cross-functionally to align clini...
3 days ago
What does a Chief Scientist do?
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?
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?
Chief Scientists work in fields including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing.
How much do Chief Scientists earn?
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?
Browse Chief Scientist listings on Ladders and review each role’s salary information, responsibilities, location, and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your background.