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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$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

$215K - $289K *

Transform U.S. government quantum hardware strategy by leading initiatives across federal agencies, aligning technical requirements, and driving hardware development from concept to deployment, ensuri...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $212K *

Shape the future of analytical development by leading operations, managing projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive drug product manufacturing and R&D initiatives...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$277K - $415K *

Champion the enterprise AI strategy, driving innovation and measurable value across research, development, and commercial functions. Lead the AI Center of Excellence, fostering partnerships and buildi...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$277K - $415K *

Drive Genmab’s enterprise AI strategy, leading initiatives across Research, Development, and Commercial functions to deliver measurable business value and foster innovation through responsible AI gove...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $450K *

Unlock the future of AI by innovating data-centric large language models (LLMs), shaping scalable systems that enhance reasoning capabilities through cutting-edge research and collaboration with world...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$160K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at financial operations by leading budgeting, analysis, and systems integration. Drive improvements and deliver tailored solutions to enhance organizational efficiency and support...

3 days ago

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

$75K - $142K *

Drive innovation in 3D printing materials by conducting research and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance performance, pushing the limits of polymer development in various industries and shapin...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$75K - $142K *

Innovate by developing advanced materials for 3D printing, transforming industries through collaborative research and seamless integration with hardware and software teams to push the boundaries of ma...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining data analytics by leading a small Data function to drive impactful product and business decisions, enhance data quality, and leverage AI for proactive insights and automa...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $115K *

Elevate business performance by driving AI and automation initiatives. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize workflows, enhance efficiency, and implement innovative solutions that transform operat...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Drive AI and automation initiatives to enhance business performance and employee effectiveness. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and optimize workflows thr...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving AI and automation initiatives to enhance business performance. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize workflows, implement solutions, and support workforce transformation...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.