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 *

Empower the future of procurement by leading strategic sourcing and vendor management. Collaborate across teams to enhance processes, drive savings, and build trusted partnerships, ensuring optimal va...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $200K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative digital designs and architectures. Oversee a design team through all phases of hardware delivery, ensuring technical excellence and collaboration across discip...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$148K - $168K *

Drive innovative pharmacology research to optimize pipeline assets through in vivo and in vitro studies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support drug development and IND-enabling studies, e...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $210K *

Innovate as a strategic technology leader, driving digital transformation and AI initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and business growth while collaborating with executive teams and fosterin...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $161K *

Join a dynamic team to advance research on mammalian stress responses and disease. Leverage your expertise in in vivo studies and cell culture to drive impactful projects while collaborating across di...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$290K - $320K *

Lead the Translational Biology Group, managing innovative nucleic acid delivery programs. Collaborate cross-functionally while driving discovery research to enhance genomic medicine solutions and addr...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$290K - $320K *

Lead the charge in pioneering innovative non-viral delivery solutions for nucleic acid therapeutics. Drive research programs, collaborate cross-functionally, and cultivate talent to enable ground-brea...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$91K - $209K *

Drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence by leading complex, cross-functional programs. Collaborate with senior leaders to translate executive strategies into actionable plans, ensuring...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$199K - $270K *

Drive the evolution of cyber defense by defining and executing a modern strategy. Lead initiatives to enhance security platforms, build scalable solutions, and strengthen enterprise resilience while s...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's driving strategic partnerships and internal alignment. As a Chief of Staff, you'll enhance operational effectiveness, manage key projects, and facilitate communication between engin...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate your career with a key role supporting the global launch and technical operations of radiopharmaceuticals, driving compliance, quality initiatives, and collaboration with CDMOs while leading...

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Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $216K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative assays for the BD Rhapsody platform, focusing on high-quality product launches and cross-functional collaboration to advance single-cell genomics and drive sci...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$290K - $365K *

Drive impactful Corporate Engineering programs, enhancing productivity through innovative IT solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable systems that empower all e...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$290K - $365K *

Lead complex, cross-functional programs to enhance corporate engineering solutions, ensuring seamless IT systems and infrastructure that empower productivity and collaboration across the organization...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Lead the charge in expanding PHIUS verification services for multifamily projects. Manage a diverse portfolio from design to certification, ensuring technical quality and client satisfaction while men...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $220K *

Partner with us to shape our People function as we scale rapidly, leading strategic initiatives for talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development while enhancing company cultu...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$120K - $130K *

Accelerate progress at naval aviation readiness by leveraging your analytical skills to evaluate maintenance and logistics data. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance mission capability and suppor...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$180K - $220K *

Shape the future of AI in healthcare by partnering with CEOs as their trusted advisor. Drive transformation, mobilize teams, and deliver impactful results while building lasting relationships and fost...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Drive transformative AI strategies by partnering with CEOs to unlock business potential. Lead high-impact projects, mobilize expert teams, and cultivate long-term relationships to deliver tangible res...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Transform executive relationships into AI-driven business strategies. As a trusted advisor, you'll guide CEOs through AI opportunities, mobilize teams for impactful delivery, and cultivate long-term p...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Shape the future of AI in healthcare by partnering with CEOs to drive transformation. As a trusted advisor, you'll lead engagements, mobilize teams, and deliver impactful results, ensuring businesses...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$300K - $350K *

Champion high-quality, patient-centered care by leading clinical initiatives, enhancing performance standards, and fostering collaboration among medical staff to ensure optimal patient experiences and...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$285K - $330K *

Support the enforcement operations lifecycle across cloud partnerships, ensuring user safety and compliance through effective cross-functional collaboration. Design, implement, and maintain robust enf...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$285K - $330K *

Transform enforcement operations across multi-cloud platforms by leading detection, review, and action processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent, auditable, and efficient...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$285K - $330K *

Own and oversee the end-to-end enforcement lifecycle across multi-cloud platforms, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in detection, review, and action against misuse while cooperating with diverse...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.