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 *

Unlock complex product challenges by leading the development of automated decision systems. Collaborate across teams to translate financial and operational signals into actionable insights, ensuring t...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$88K - $105K *

Drive your career forward by analyzing emerging issues in strategic deterrence. Collaborate with senior leaders to provide high-quality research and insights that shape Air Force policy and strategy i...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$163K - $278K *

Shape the future of quantum computing as a leader in research, guiding a multidisciplinary team toward breakthrough advancements that support national security and innovation in technology. Drive coll...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $110K *

Develop innovative nanoparticle formulations for RNA delivery, enhancing precision in targeted therapies through research collaboration and state-of-the-art characterization methods. Drive process opt...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $240K *

Drive the development of clinical evaluation benchmarks and grading systems, collaborating directly with clinicians and partners to enhance model accuracy and safety while leading research from protoc...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovative lipid nanoparticle formulation for nucleic acid delivery. Collaborate with senior scientists to optimize synthesis and characterization, supporting cross-functional teams in a dynamic...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$113K - $277K *

Contribute to mission-critical logistics research in national defense, leveraging data science and statistical modeling to optimize military resource management and enhance equipment readiness for eff...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Elevate machine learning capabilities by designing and deploying scalable ML systems. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to transform complex problems into impactful solutions, ensuring reliabi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in delivering seamless services and projects, collaborating with diverse teams to ensure mission success while managing risks and stakeholder communications effectively...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering seamless services and projects. Collaborate with diverse professionals to ensure mission success while managing risks and maintaining stakeholder communicati...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $150K *

Lead the charge in managing complex engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget. Collaborate with teams, mitigate risks, and build strong stakeholder relationships while nav...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Transform data into actionable insights by leading advanced analytics and experimentation to drive marketing effectiveness and optimize customer experiences across diverse business areas...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$130K - $155K *

Unlock your potential by leading data-driven marketing strategies, predictive modeling, and experimentation to solve complex business challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance cus...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$117K - $201K *

Lead the charge in developing an AI-Reasoning platform to transform drug discovery. Collaborate with scientists to harness multimodal data, enhancing decision-making and accelerating therapeutic advan...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate your career by providing strategic bioindustrial base analysis to support Department of War initiatives. Collaborate with industry partners and inform leadership on biotechnology investment...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $236K *

Drive the evolution of embedded security by leading a data science and engineering team. Shape strategies, enhance measurement accuracy, and ensure effective risk management through trusted data and i...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$192K - $272K *

Lead cross-functional programs to drive AI data generation and curation initiatives. Collaborate across teams to establish standards, ensure high-quality data delivery, and navigate a fast-paced envir...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Engineer strategic bioindustrial base analyses to guide Department of War investments in biotechnology. Collaborate with industry partners and provide insights to leadership on technology risks, oppor...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by providing strategic bioindustrial base analysis to support Department of War initiatives. Collaborate with industry partners and inform leadership on biotechnology investments, ens...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Champion efficient lab and office operations by managing supplies, safety, and compliance in a biotech environment. Oversee day-to-day activities, ensuring a well-organized facility that supports scie...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Empower strategic initiatives and operational excellence by collaborating with the CEO and leadership team. Drive impactful projects, enhance communication, and optimize workflows to redefine care del...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $250K *

Empower your career by collaborating with design partners and manufacturers on-site while developing full-stack software solutions that drive operational maturity and financial success in the producti...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$207K - $300K *

Champion the future of AI-generated health guidance by developing critical evaluation frameworks and translating complex data insights into impactful business strategies, influencing stakeholders acro...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$87K - $198K *

Lead the charge in advancing proteomic workflows for clinical precision oncology, utilizing hands-on expertise in mass spectrometry within a collaborative, mission-driven lab focused on impactful tran...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$87K - $198K *

Lead innovative studies on human immune memory and control, designing and executing high-resolution sequencing and single-cell profiling. Mentor lab members and contribute to research publications and...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.