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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$110K - $130K *

Develop and execute multi-step synthesis and purification processes while collaborating across disciplines to drive innovative research and problem-solving in a dynamic laboratory environment...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Drive laboratory testing excellence in a GMP environment, ensuring product quality through rigorous analysis and data interpretation. Collaborate with teams to enhance methodologies and train personne...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $138K *

Join a dynamic team to lead analytical method development, ensuring high-quality data generation and effective communication. Oversee cross-functional efforts, mentor staff, and drive innovative solut...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by designing and building innovative pilot-scale UV bioreactors. Collaborate on process engineering tasks, from mass balances to hands-on commissioning, while fostering a safety-first...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$148K - $200K *

Pioneer groundbreaking research in quantum computing, leading experimental initiatives and guiding a talented team. Drive innovation through meticulous project management and collaboration across disc...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$83K - $116K *

Transform regulatory submission processes by leading the evaluation of raw materials, methodologies, and specifications for drug products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance...

North York, ONIn-Person

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$83K - $116K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing global regulatory submissions and specifications for drug substances and products. Collaborate on complex investigations, provide technical support, and ensur...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$171K - $222K *

Unlock potential by designing and evaluating reinforcement learning environments for large language models, enhancing their reasoning and task completion capabilities through innovative interactions a...

2 days ago

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

$138K - $207K *

Transform the future of biologics by leading analytical method development, validation, and lifecycle management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and support global commer...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $160K *

Architect the future of intelligent K-12 assessment systems by designing a robust knowledge architecture that integrates AI, learning science, and psychometrics. Innovate and build foundational struct...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

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

$120K - $224K *

Shape the future of biologic therapeutics by leading mass spectrometry strategies, bridging analytical excellence with hands-on expertise in a collaborative environment dedicated to delivering life-ch...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Advance your career by conducting complex testing and method validation for pharmaceutical products. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and quality in analytical development, utilizing advanc...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Advance your career by conducting complex testing and method validation in pharmaceutical development. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and quality in analytical processes, contributing to...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $125K *

Lead the charge in advancing nutrition product innovation through material science. Utilize your expertise in ingredient functionality and analytical techniques to solve complex challenges and guide p...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$83K - $111K *

Drive innovation in microbial fermentation and recombinant protein expression. Lead projects to optimize processes for cytokines and growth factors, ensuring robust production and quality through hand...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $160K *

Explore innovative materials science as you drive advancements in silicone and non-silicone release systems, leveraging polymer chemistry and AI/ML to transform R&D into practical solutions for global...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $205K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing national security through innovative biochemistry. Provide expert support across DARPA's R&D lifecycle, translating complex objectives into actionable researc...

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $148K *

Lead the charge in innovative wood protection technologies, managing a team to drive product development from concept to commercialization, while collaborating across teams to meet customer needs and...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Engineer advanced protein design models and collaborate with experts to innovate in AI Drug Discovery, driving the development of candidate antibody therapeutics through deep learning and systems biol...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$67K - $100K *

Unlock potential by driving regulatory compliance and product safety initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop Safety Data Sheets and labels, ensuring adherence to global standar...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Empower innovation in identity verification and fraud prevention by leading research, developing detection methods, and collaborating with ML teams to enhance security measures. Publish findings and c...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $245K *

Pioneer innovative PK/PD modeling to enhance therapeutic development, guiding early clinical trial design and dose selection while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to advance modeling scienc...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$84K - $90K *

Unlock innovative solutions as you lead analytical research in a collaborative lab environment, utilizing advanced techniques in spectroscopy and chromatography to meet client needs and ensure complia...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Empower innovation by leading upstream R&D efforts to transform clinical needs into prototypes and technical evidence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive projects from concept to clear i...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading the Cultural Resources practice, driving strategic growth, and ensuring technical excellence in archaeology while fostering client relationships and mentoring staff across...

Colorado, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.