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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$80K - $95K *

Support and optimize daily warehouse operations by leading a high-performing team, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Unlock new insights in medical imaging by designing and scaling advanced vision-language models for clinical applications. Drive innovation in radiology with extensive expertise in multimodal pretrain...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$145K - $170K *

Shape the future of thermal sciences by applying engineering principles to real-world challenges in failure analysis, combustion, and risk mitigation. Collaborate with diverse teams to conduct experim...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$201K - $251K *

Lead strategic forecasting initiatives to drive decision-making in oncology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop long-term models and communicate insights that shape product and portfol...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $105K *

Drive innovation in nursing by managing high-impact Labs, overseeing operations, and engaging nurse leaders to enhance healthcare outcomes through collaborative projects and strategic partnerships...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $250K *

Innovate the future of software development by building scalable architectures and autonomous coding agents, tackling complex workflows and privacy challenges in a high-velocity environment, driving i...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$139K - $222K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of housing market forecasting. Collaborate with experts to develop innovative models, extract key features, and communicate insights that drive strategic decision...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$150K - $180K *

Join a pioneering research team to design safety benchmarks and environments for AI models. Drive innovative evaluations that enhance AI self-improvement and address misaligned behaviors, ensuring rob...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$313K - $348K *

Lead the charge in shaping global regulatory strategies for innovative gene therapies, ensuring compliance and successful submissions while mentoring a high-performing team in a dynamic environment...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the marketing function end-to-end, driving strategy and execution while fostering collaboration across teams and ensuring alignment with commercial goals in a dynamic, regulated environment...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Partner with us to drive innovation in drug product development by supporting analytical method validation and improvement. Collaborate on formulation and testing while ensuring compliance with indust...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical research by managing complex studies, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones efficien...

Boston, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Innovate experimental physics by designing and constructing measurement systems. Collaborate closely with theory teams to validate core scientific claims through empirical rigor, ensuring data reliabi...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Strategize impactful initiatives by collaborating with cross-functional teams to assess financial viability and market opportunities in oncology and rare diseases, driving key business decisions and g...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by driving strategic research and financial validation to support oncology opportunities, ensuring informed investment decisions for impactful healthcare innovations and cross-fu...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by joining a dynamic team supporting strategic growth initiatives. Leverage market research and financial analysis to inform decisions in the oncology sector, ensuring data-drive...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $225K *

Elevate your career in a dynamic, collaborative environment where you will engage with traders and researchers, developing impactful algorithms and trading strategies to drive success in financial mar...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$119K - $164K *

Engage as a subject matter expert to advance optical modeling and simulation for cutting-edge Corning technologies, influencing optical component design and contributing to innovative research initiat...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$188K - $274K *

Innovate in Trust and Safety by leading investigations into complex threat actor networks. Utilize advanced data analysis and engineering to develop scalable solutions that enhance detection and mitig...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $250K *

Champion the vision and strategy of a dynamic business, driving organic growth while managing a multi-million-dollar P&L and cultivating a high-performing team in a collaborative executive environment...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Pioneer new technical solutions, ensuring interoperability of USMC intelligence systems through extensive experience and expert knowledge of C4ISR programs and systems engineering principles...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading supply chain risk management and optimization initiatives. Collaborate across functions to enhance inventory performance, drive operational efficiency, and leverage advance...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $153K *

Drive innovation in drug delivery technologies by evaluating novel modalities and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance therapeutic solutions across key areas, contributing to impactful...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to managing and executing environmental programs, ensuring compliance with laws and policies while providing expert advisory services. Enhance safety and sustainability th...

Today

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

$218K - $387K *

Elevate safety and performance in AI by designing robust training environments, assessing risks, and implementing automated defenses. Collaborate with experts to ensure models are resilient and effect...

2 days 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.