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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$132K - $205K *

Advance ingredient development by leading in vitro validation efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to connect scientific findings with customer needs, ensuring rigorous evidence supports p...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$105K - $148K *

Drive innovation in consumer research by leveraging data science and advanced analytics. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product development for leading brands, fostering a consumer-centric...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$93K - $153K *

Unlock potential by joining our Product Biochemistry team to develop and characterize critical protein reagents for preclinical assays, ensuring quality and compliance while collaborating across funct...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $143K *

Champion innovative in vivo pharmacology studies, collaborating across teams to drive preclinical research in rodent models. Leverage your expertise to enhance therapeutic programs and ensure complian...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$112K - $152K *

Elevate microbiological safety by leading risk assessments, strategy development, and compliance across product lifecycles. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure product quality and patient safety...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovation in flavor product development, leveraging scientific expertise to tackle complex challenges and support commercialization across food and beverage sectors, while collaborating cross-f...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $140K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative multiplex biomarker assays, leveraging your expertise in molecular biology to drive advancements in protein detection technology and enhance early disease diag...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $140K *

Innovate and develop multiplex biomarker assays, leveraging expertise in molecular biology and data analysis to translate novel technologies into robust products while maintaining high-quality standar...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$109K - $174K *

Unlock potential by developing and optimizing advanced analytical methods for mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. Collaborate across teams to establish robust, scalable methods that enhance product...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$109K - $174K *

Develop and optimize sequencing-based analytical methods for mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, leveraging advanced sequencing technologies to ensure product quality and integrity across various stages o...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$109K - $174K *

Transform your career by developing cutting-edge analytical methods for mRNA-based therapeutics. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product quality and drive innovation in analytical developmen...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$155K - $195K *

Drive your career by optimizing upstream processes for antibody production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to enhance development pipelines and ensure successful technol...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$147K - $274K *

Empower innovation by leading applied AI research initiatives that shape product features. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex problems into impactful AI solutions, mentoring...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$185K - $205K *

Innovate clinical strategies and oversee trial execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to analyze safety and efficacy data, ensuring compliance with regulations while achieving program mi...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Research Associate, focusing on lipid nanoparticle characterization and formulation. Utilize advanced analytical techniques to drive formulation decisions and support i...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $200K *

Lead the charge in formulation development for biotherapeutics, optimizing processes from feedstock to final product. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure molecular stability and product...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by leading innovative chemistry projects that drive energy solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop novel formulations and enhance safety standards, making a...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $140K *

Drive the development and optimization of multiplex proteomic panels, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality assay performance and deliver reliable data across diverse diseas...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $165K *

Drive product strategy and roadmap for spectroscopy technologies, integrating analytical solutions into bioprocessing systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product needs and enhan...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$157K - $174K *

Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...

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2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$268K - $358K *

Pioneer groundbreaking domain models connecting biological data with machine learning, utilizing innovative methodologies to interpret complex biological interactions and guide experimental strategies...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$165K - $175K *

Champion product strategy and lifecycle management, translating customer needs into market-driven solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product success in the rapidly evolving li...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's building and leading a dynamic engineering organization, driving the architecture and operational excellence of our core platform while mentoring a growing team in a fast-paced envi...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $190K *

Transform the engineering landscape by leading a dynamic team to enhance our core platform. Drive technical excellence, foster collaboration, and ensure reliability as we scale to meet growing demand...

1 week 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.