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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$88K - $134K *

Lead the charge in quality assurance by managing complex projects, mentoring team members, and driving improvements in product performance. Utilize your expertise in protein-based immunoassays to ensu...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $158K *

Join a team that's focused on building operational structure and lifecycle systems for AI Science Factories. This role supports cross-functional collaboration, ensuring scalable, lightweight workflows...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $304K *

Analyze advanced materials using computational methods to accelerate discovery and optimization. Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment, integrating physics simulations and AI to guide resear...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$89K - $123K *

Empower product safety through signal management, risk evaluation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and support safety surveillance during all development phases...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$109K - $174K *

Lead the charge in advancing high-throughput screening platforms for viral and bacterial antigens, driving innovative experimental design and collaboration with computational teams to optimize antigen...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate progress at a cutting-edge startup by simulating materials at atomic scales. Collaborate closely with experimental teams to drive fast, data-driven decisions that reshape innovation in quan...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing stem cell manufacturing by developing robust iPSC expansion processes and optimizing bioprocessing workflows on an automated platform, ensuring scalability and reproducibi...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$172K - $223K *

Unlock potential by developing advanced ML models and solutions for ad content understanding. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance advertiser experiences and ensure high-quality ad moder...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$155K - $170K *

Lead complex research initiatives by transforming business questions into actionable insights. Collaborate with clients to design robust studies, ensuring methodological integrity and advancing resear...

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1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$108K - $186K *

Lead and enhance global security operations, driving safety through access control, incident response, and policy implementation across all locations. Collaborate extensively to protect personnel and...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$268K - $384K *

Transform therapeutic intervention assessments by developing systems that integrate human data and mechanistic models, evaluating clinical programs for efficacy and alignment with biological evidence...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in advancing pharmaceutical analytical methods and standards. Drive complex studies, support regulatory compliance, and mentor scientific talent while championing method development an...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Lead transformative initiatives by partnering with the CEO to drive operational excellence and strategic alignment in a fast-paced environment. Own critical projects, enhance decision-making, and fost...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$87K - $108K *

Transform regulatory genomics by analyzing multiomic data and enhancing synthetic tools for brain health. Collaborate with scientists to optimize models and validate sequences, driving innovation in g...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead a team of experts in nuclear weapon physics, driving research and collaboration across government agencies to enhance national security and support critical defense missions. Engage in technical...

6 days ago

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

$125K - $165K *

Champion strategic transformation by supporting the CEO in shaping and executing organizational goals. Drive board engagement, operational excellence, and sustainable systems that foster effective col...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$126K - $181K *

Elevate your career by joining a team of scientists dedicated to advancing innovative DNA-encoded library technology. Collaborate to develop cutting-edge methods, conduct experiments, and drive scient...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative solutions in data science for defense production systems. Lead projects, collaborate with Navy sponsors, and synthesize complex analyses to inform strategic decisions while mentorin...

6 days ago

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

$130K - $142K *

Shape and drive UNE's response to emerging technologies, ensuring all students gain fluency and ethical competence in AI and related fields. Lead interdisciplinary collaboration across academic progra...

3 weeks ago

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

$135K - $228K *

Join a dynamic team to design and optimize scalable data pipelines, ensuring reliable access to data for advanced analytics and AI initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovat...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$142K - $170K *

Lead and manage the Prevention and Field Operations Directorate, ensuring alignment with strategic goals in health, safety, and environmental stewardship while fostering collaboration and compliance a...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$500K+*

The Research Engineer, Agents role at Anthropic involves developing and optimizing agentic systems powered by Claude, focusing on enhancing performance and usability for complex tasks. Candidates will...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$500K+*

The Research Engineer, Agents role at Anthropic involves developing and optimizing agentic systems powered by Claude, focusing on enhancing performance and usability for complex tasks. Candidates will...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$500K+*

The Research Engineer, Agents role at Anthropic involves developing and optimizing agentic systems powered by Claude, focusing on enhancing performance and usability for complex tasks. Candidates will...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$250K - $290K *

Drive AI innovation by leading a research team to develop population-scale models, focusing on health-risk prediction and variant-effect analysis, while securing funding and publishing impactful resea...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.