Principal Scientist Jobs

Explore Principal Scientist jobs on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Principal Scientists lead complex research, guide scientific strategy, and turn deep technical expertise into discoveries, products, and business impact.

What Does a Principal Scientist Do?

Principal Scientists provide senior-level scientific direction within organizations such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, technology firms, manufacturers, and research institutions. They design and oversee research programs, interpret complex data, develop new methods, and communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders. Depending on the organization, they may also mentor scientists, manage collaborations, and help set long-term research priorities.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers typically seek extensive experience in a relevant scientific discipline, a strong record of research or technical achievement, and the ability to lead projects across teams. Commonly valued skills include experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, subject-matter expertise, project leadership, and clear communication. Many positions require a Ph.D. or other advanced degree, though requirements vary by field and employer.

Principal Scientist Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation varies based on specialty, experience, location, and employer. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying at least $100,000, making it a useful place to explore senior-level Principal Scientist roles. Career paths may lead to scientific leadership, research director, vice president of research, or other executive and technical leadership positions.

Find Principal Scientist Jobs on Ladders

Search Principal Scientist openings by specialty, location, and other preferences to identify roles aligned with your experience. Review each listing for its responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation details, then apply directly to opportunities that match your career goals.

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$80K - $100K *

Drive innovation in laboratory settings by executing experiments, analyzing data, and enhancing product development for CMP applications. Collaborate with a team to ensure safety and operational effic...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$105K - $154K *

Transform the future of technology by leading R&D efforts to develop innovative algorithms and solutions that enhance production processes and tackle complex technical challenges in a collaborative en...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $228K *

Join a team that's dedicated to safeguarding critical assets through advanced investigations. Leverage diverse data sources to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring the protection of proprietary techn...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by leading bioanalytical projects, designing assays, managing teams, and ensuring quality compliance. You will drive drug development through scientific expertise in bioanalytical met...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in advancing bioanalytical methods by executing experiments, guiding junior staff, and ensuring data integrity in compliance with GLP standards. Support drug discovery efforts through...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$72K - $189K *

Innovate in molecular biology by leading recombinant protein expression efforts, mentoring junior scientists, and enhancing workflows for diverse protein targets across multiple host systems, driving...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $190K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions to transform biomedical discovery, collaborating with top scientists and engineers to bridge virtual and real-world data, enhancing drug discovery and clinical care pro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Contribute to regulatory excellence by providing expert guidance on U.S. FDA and MERCOSUR food contact regulations. Drive compliance initiatives and support product development while ensuring adherenc...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of food safety by providing expert regulatory guidance on U.S. FDA and MERCOSUR food contact regulations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and support prod...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Shape regulatory compliance strategies for food contact applications, ensuring adherence to U.S. FDA and MERCOSUR regulations. Provide expert guidance to cross-functional teams, driving product stewar...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$78K - $156K *

Transform the future of neuromodulation by leading innovative research initiatives that integrate neuroscience, AI, and biomarker discovery to advance next-generation therapies and personalized treatm...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $105K *

Empower innovation in analytical chemistry by developing LC-MS methods, mentoring junior scientists, and enhancing lab operations. Drive project success through method validation and troubleshooting i...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $185K *

Elevate your career by joining a team that's pioneering computational chemistry innovations. Drive product strategy through advanced cheminformatics and machine learning, optimizing synthesis routes a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$500K+*

Champion the development of AI systems by designing training environments and evaluation frameworks that enhance capabilities in engineering and applied sciences, collaborating with experts to drive i...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$126K - $147K *

Lead innovative cell-based assay development to advance immune-oncology research. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate impactful data, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to drug d...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$134K - $155K *

Lead the charge in delivering high-quality ADMET studies while driving innovation and operational excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance scientific capabilities and ensure exce...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $210K *

Drive clinical biomarker strategy and execution in early neuroscience programs. Collaborate cross-functionally to translate discovery hypotheses into actionable biomarker approaches, ensuring assays a...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $210K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive clinical biomarker strategy and execution, translating discovery insights into actionable approaches that enhance patient outcomes in early neuroscienc...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$179K - $212K *

Advance your career by providing expert CMC guidance for innovative biologics, focusing on cell and gene therapy. Collaborate across teams to drive technical strategies and ensure quality in developme...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$148K - $224K *

Lead and champion complex scientific customer programs, ensuring operational excellence and fostering strong relationships while coordinating diverse teams for successful delivery and growth...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$213K - $280K *

Drive LNP formulation and process development, leading a team to establish scalable strategies for diverse applications. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure high-quality delivery of formulations...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$215K - $240K *

Shape the future of drug development by leading analytical strategies, ensuring compliance and optimization of processes across lifecycle stages, and collaborating with cross-functional teams and exte...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $166K *

Help us advance biopharmaceutical research by designing cutting-edge assays and mentoring a talented team. Collaborate on complex projects, ensuring quality and compliance while driving innovations in...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$106K - $176K *

Drive cutting-edge ADME strategies in a collaborative lab environment, influencing drug discovery and development decisions through scientific rigor and impactful experimentation. Provide mentorship a...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's advancing analytical science by developing innovative chromatography technologies. As a senior technical leader, you'll drive R&D efforts, translating complex scientific concepts in...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Principal Scientist do?question toggle

    A Principal Scientist leads advanced research or technical programs, sets scientific direction, analyzes results, and shares findings with stakeholders. Responsibilities may also include mentoring colleagues and coordinating cross-functional teams.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Principal Scientist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by specialty, but employers often look for extensive relevant experience, a strong record of scientific or technical work, and advanced expertise. Many roles require a Ph.D. or another advanced degree, along with research leadership and communication skills.

  • How much do Principal Scientists earn?question toggle

    Pay depends on factors such as field, location, experience, and employer. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for compensation information.

  • Where do Principal Scientists work?question toggle

    Principal Scientists work across industries including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and academic or independent research.

  • How can I find Principal Scientist jobs on Ladders?question toggle

    Browse Principal Scientist listings on Ladders and use available search filters to narrow opportunities by location, specialty, or other preferences. Review each listing for its requirements and compensation details.