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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$126K - $170K *

Drive the development of innovative drug manufacturing processes, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support regulatory filings and ensure process perf...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovation in product development as a Senior Chemist, leading research projects and formulating cleaners and sanitizers for the dairy and food processing industries while ensuring compliance an...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$104K - $156K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical expert, providing support and training to customers while optimizing applications and troubleshooting complex issues in a collaborative environment. Contribute to sc...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$91K - $209K *

Shape the future of sustainability by managing carbon capture initiatives and emerging climate technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive Oracle's net-zero strategy and develop sca...

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$204K - $272K *

Join our team as a Principal Network Engineer, where you'll lead the design and security of a multi-site network, enhancing lab operations and driving innovation in network architecture across diverse...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$131K - $153K *

Shape the future of ingredient quality by leading complex investigations, developing analytical strategies, and mentoring scientists to ensure product integrity and compliance across a global beverage...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$184K - $215K *

Advance research in statistical genetics to uncover therapeutic targets for cardiac and skeletal muscle diseases. Collaborate with diverse cohorts and apply AI/ML methods to translate genetic insights...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $132K *

Elevate your career by owning PCR and digital PCR assay development, optimizing strategies, leading troubleshooting efforts, and ensuring data quality to support innovative diagnostic projects in a co...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $190K *

Shape the future of oncology research by leading innovative biomarker strategies. Collaborate across teams to drive translational studies and enhance understanding of target biology, supporting precis...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$141K - $191K *

Lead the development of innovative, sustainable oligonucleotide manufacturing processes, driving capacity expansion and technology transfers while mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with regulato...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$141K - $191K *

Drive innovation in oligonucleotide manufacturing processes, leading cross-functional teams to enhance production capacity and efficiency. Mentor staff while ensuring compliance with regulatory standa...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's pioneering viral vector process development for gene therapies. Collaborate across functions to enhance workflows, optimize processes, and drive innovation in a dynamic synthetic bi...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$100K - $125K *

Engage your passion for chemistry as you drive sales success by collaborating with teams, conducting demos, and providing insights to elevate product offerings and enhance customer engagement, all whi...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Transform fermentation processes by leveraging your expertise in microbial science. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to optimize and scale bioprocesses, ensuring robust and efficient producti...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$320K - $380K *

Drive the strategy and execution of the Materials Science AISF program, ensuring alignment across complex, high-impact priorities while applying your deep domain expertise to advance AI capabilities i...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$106K - $138K *

Drive innovation and product development within a collaborative team, leading R&D initiatives to align with market demands and business goals. Lead research teams to create viable solutions, manage re...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $160K *

Transform product development by leading analytical chemistry projects for innovative ophthalmic devices. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure robust methodologies and data integrity in aligning w...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$104K - $144K *

Join a team that's pioneering advanced materials and device technologies. Collaborate across disciplines to translate innovative concepts into high-performing solutions, driving research from fundamen...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$307K - $427K *

Help us shape the future of advertising technology by leading AI-driven innovations. Drive architectural design and optimize systems for Google Ads, impacting billions of users while fostering collabo...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $208K *

Drive innovation by leading AI/ML solutions for finance, translating business needs into impactful technical solutions. Collaborate across teams to enhance decision-making and productivity while mento...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $245K *

Champion AI innovation by developing cutting-edge models that analyze real-time global data, enhancing threat intelligence and risk assessment. Collaborate with a diverse team to drive impactful solut...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $245K *

Transform real-time AI research into impactful solutions by developing advanced models and systems that analyze global data, enhancing threat intelligence and decision-making for organizations worldwi...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in advancing drug discovery by developing predictive tools and systems. Collaborate with top pharma and AI researchers to enhance decision-making processes and optimize workflows for i...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 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 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $95K *

Shape the future of cell therapy by ensuring quality control through rigorous analytical testing and method validation. Collaborate across teams to uphold compliance and drive continuous improvement i...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 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.