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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$170K - $230K *

Lead innovative research in skin biology and inflammation, integrating experimental and computational strategies to drive therapeutic advancements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance d...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$144K - $240K *

Empower scientific innovation by developing full-stack applications and tools that enhance lab workflows, ensuring data accuracy and operational excellence within a collaborative team of experts in te...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$177K - $338K *

Champion DMPK project leadership by ensuring high-quality data delivery and supporting drug candidate progression through innovative modeling and cross-functional collaboration in a dynamic biotech en...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$122K - $183K *

Champion late-phase process development and commercialization of viral vector manufacturing. Provide technical leadership and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, validation...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in solving complex materials and integrity challenges, guiding multidisciplinary teams and clients through failure analysis, evaluations, and technical standards to ensure safe, reliab...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $140K *

Champion innovative therapeutic antibody development by leveraging your expertise in protein engineering, data analysis, and project management to drive impactful discoveries and mentor junior scienti...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$239K - $295K *

Elevate your career by leading strategic GCP/GLP/GVP Quality Operations, driving continuous improvement in research quality processes, and collaborating across departments to ensure compliance and exc...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$255K - $402K *

Transform clinical development by leading innovative Immunology research projects. Oversee all phases from strategy planning to regulatory filing, ensuring efficacy and safety of investigational drugs...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$255K - $402K *

Shape and oversee strategic planning of clinical research activities in Immunology, focusing on late-stage drug development. Drive clinical trials and manage cross-functional teams to advance investig...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Accelerate drug discovery by executing cell-based assays and engineering mammalian cell lines. Collaborate with R&D teams to ensure high-quality data generation that informs AI-driven compound design...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $143K *

Join us to execute preclinical studies in rodent models, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to advance therapeutic programs. This hands-on role requires expertise in in vivo pharmacology and...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Join us to lead environmental investigations and compliance projects, ensuring adherence to regulations while managing budgets and schedules. Collaborate on assessments, permit applications, and remed...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $147K *

Optimize product safety engineering by applying expertise in IEC 62368-1 and IEC 61010-1. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior staff, and manage multiple projects while ensuring compliance with U.S...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Champion the transition from early research to development by leading formulation work for biopharmaceuticals. Drive characterization, mitigate risks, and collaborate across teams to ensure optimal fo...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$121K - $182K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of drug development by leading process chemistry initiatives. Oversee drug substance development, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive strategies fr...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$151K - $176K *

Join a dynamic team to drive analytical method development, optimization, and validation. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure high-quality outputs while maintaining compliance and safety standard...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in label printing and packaging. Lead R&D projects from concept to commercialization, focusing on materials and technologies that enhance performance, sustainabil...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$159K - $215K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative mathematical models to optimize transportation networks. Tackle complex problems in planning and scheduling, driving scientific advancements that enhance effic...

1 week ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in building a robust project management system to enhance cross-functional collaboration and accelerate product development. Drive strategic projects from inception to launch while ens...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $140K *

Champion custom assay development and technical support, bridging teams to ensure successful implementation of advanced immunoassay platforms. Leverage expertise in immunoassays to drive excellence in...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing complex global projects in aseptic manufacturing, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while mentoring teams and interfacing with senior leadership across diverse...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Drive clinical research operations for a multidisciplinary program focused on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, ensuring rigorous execution of studies while collaborating with diverse teams to tra...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$149K - $188K *

Help us innovate drug discovery by applying computational chemistry and machine learning. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to enhance molecular modeling, cheminformatics, and predictive analyt...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing transformative biomedical research initiatives. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop, execute, and manage innovative programs that enhance health outcomes t...

Washington DC, USRemote

3 days ago

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

$160K - $200K *

Shape the future of connectivity by leading complex silicon programs. Drive cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance AMS IP on time and within budget, ensuring operational excellence in a fa...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.