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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$128K - $170K *

Empower progress at the intersection of research and engineering by leading complex technical programs. Drive alignment and delivery across teams, navigate challenges, and support innovative solutions...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$245K - $500K+*

Shape the future of AI by collaborating with top developers to explore RL dynamics, design innovative evaluation techniques, and uncover insights into AI cognition, all while driving empirical researc...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $180K *

Champion innovative vaccine research by leading virology and immunology programs. Utilize your expertise to develop assays, analyze data, and mentor teams, driving impactful solutions for public healt...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $100K *

Accelerate progress at a dynamic agency by leading complex client campaigns. Manage project scope, timelines, and budgets while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality result...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$207K - $259K *

Transform external innovation strategies by leading evaluations and partnerships in Neuroscience and Immunology. Drive cross-functional collaboration and influence investment decisions while mentoring...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$149K - $186K *

Transform cancer research by applying advanced genomics analyses and integrating multi-omics data. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive insights from clinical biomarker data, influencing...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $175K *

Advance your career as a Senior Scientist in Clinical Pharmacology, driving data analysis and modeling for clinical-stage programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to inform key development de...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$186K - $266K *

Elevate Specialty Chemicals R&D by leading innovative development, scaling processes, and ensuring manufacturing readiness. Drive strategic growth through technical foresight and collaboration across...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $120K *

Drive innovative research efforts to develop next-generation products, collaborating across teams to tackle technical challenges and ensure successful project execution from ideation to commercializat...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Champion process engineering excellence by leading project portfolios and driving innovation. Balance technical direction with strategic execution to enhance capacity, yield, and cost-effectiveness wh...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $179K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Scientist, driving biologics characterization through advanced mass spectrometry methods. Collaborate on assay development and deliver high-quality data to support deci...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Drive innovative AI solutions for autonomous laboratory experimentation, leading the design and validation of advanced models. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance scientific discovery and optimi...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Join us in advancing innovative medicine through cutting-edge AI and robotics. As a Senior Principal Investigator, you'll lead the development of autonomous lab systems, enhancing experimental outcome...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$137K - $235K *

Join a team that's pioneering Physical AI for autonomous lab experimentation. Lead the development of innovative AI models and systems that enhance scientific discovery, optimize workflows, and improv...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$300K - $320K *

Transform the future of life sciences by designing and engineering therapeutic antibodies. Collaborate with AI researchers to accelerate biological discoveries and drive antibody programs from concept...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Elevate your career by driving engineering excellence and innovation in product certification. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance quality, reliability, and performance of medical devic...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$192K - $260K *

Empower innovation by developing cutting-edge machine learning solutions that enhance code intelligence, impacting millions of developers globally while pushing the boundaries of AI and reinforcement...

3 days ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Empower scientific innovation by providing expert technical leadership in analytical development and validation. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and drive complex investigations while ment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$72K - $215K *

Drive innovation in RNA-LNP drug product development by designing and executing formulation studies, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and supporting technology transfer for early-phase clin...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Grow your career by leading complex analytical projects and delivering expert support for diverse consumer products. Collaborate with clients to ensure accurate results while mentoring junior team mem...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Innovate your career by joining a dynamic team as a Scientist in SIMS. Engage in advanced materials analysis, contribute to product development, and leverage your expertise in a collaborative environm...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$220K - $260K *

Elevate your career by leading a team to innovate structural data representation, enhancing ensemble models for broad adoption in structural biology. Collaborate with external partners to integrate cu...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $213K *

Innovate with us as a scientific leader directing the Molecular Assays & Genomics team. Drive the development of molecular biomarker assays that enhance translational research and clinical application...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in executing clinical biomarker assays and managing external CROs. Collaborate across R&D functions to enhance biomarker capabilities and ensure high-quality data delivery in a fast-pa...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$192K - $256K *

Transform the future of scientific software by leading a team to develop intuitive LIMS applications that enhance laboratory workflows, ensuring reliability and scalability while collaborating with cr...

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.