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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$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in advancing laboratory diagnostics by conducting complex tests, mentoring junior scientists, and driving quality improvements to ensure data accuracy and reliability in a collaborativ...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Unlock the potential of drug discovery by leading medicinal chemistry initiatives, from compound design to purification, while collaborating closely with biology teams to enhance therapeutic efficacy...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $207K *

Lead a high-performing team driving innovative vaccine process development, providing strategic scientific leadership for polysaccharide fermentation and purification. Influence key decisions from dev...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of peptide development by leading complex projects, mentoring a talented team, and driving innovation in synthesis and characterization. Collaborate with customers and enhance laborat...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$194K - $305K *

Innovate in biologics discovery by leading high throughput protein production and automation efforts. Drive strategic initiatives, mentor talent, and enhance workflows to accelerate therapeutic develo...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$67K - $151K *

Accelerate your career in a dynamic environment, providing scientific expertise to ensure compliance and reliability in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes across external partners and uphold globa...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by providing advanced scientific expertise to tackle complex challenges. Lead laboratory operations, guide staff, and collaborate across disciplines to drive innovative solutions in a...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $151K *

Elevate your career by leading protein expression assays and managing lab staff. Collaborate on assay design, validation, and testing while ensuring quality and efficiency. Build strong client relatio...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in analytical development for cell therapy products, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize methods and ensure product characterization. Drive innovation in a fast-paced...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative biosensor technologies as a Senior Scientist, leading the design and optimization of cutting-edge sensor architectures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performanc...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$300K - $320K *

Elevate biological research by developing and manufacturing antibodies, integrating AI insights with hands-on experimentation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovations in life scie...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $220K *

Drive innovation in analytical workflows by delivering advanced omics demonstrations, developing reproducible methods, and providing scientific leadership to global teams, ensuring impactful customer...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$268K - $384K *

Help us drive innovative research at the intersection of machine learning and life sciences, developing foundational models to solve complex biological problems and advance discoveries in the field...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $165K *

Drive innovation in enzyme discovery by leading high-throughput biochemical assays. Leverage your expertise in protein biochemistry and enzymology to advance next-gen sequencing technologies and enhan...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$255K - $402K *

Lead clinical research activities for Atherosclerosis medicines, overseeing study design, execution, and regulatory reporting. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful drug develop...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$132K - $188K *

Join our dynamic team to drive small-molecule drug development from concept to commercialization. Leverage your expertise in process chemistry to innovate, collaborate, and ensure the successful scale...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $105K *

Empower innovation as you develop NGS assays, conduct experiments, and analyze results. Collaborate with teams to enhance existing products and present findings at conferences, driving advancements in...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Transform the future of trauma training by leading innovative research projects, mentoring teams, and enhancing educational methodologies. Drive quality assurance and process improvements to elevate m...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Transform the future of trauma training by leading innovative research projects, mentoring teams, and enhancing educational methodologies to improve military medical practices and outcomes. Join a ded...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$170K - $190K *

Lead formulation development from discovery to clinical stages, translating compounds into scalable processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive strategy, solve challenges, and ensure q...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$64K - $133K *

Engage in complex large-molecule bioanalytical method development, leading scientific studies and collaborating with clients to deliver innovative solutions that support drug development programs...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$132K - $142K *

Lead the charge in establishing innovative protein science capabilities to drive the discovery and engineering of therapeutic proteins. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize protein des...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $201K *

Advance AI-native biologics discovery by integrating cutting-edge AI and computational methods into therapeutic programs. Collaborate across teams to enhance decision-making and accelerate the develop...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $201K *

Engage in AI-native biologics discovery by integrating advanced AI and computational design into therapeutic programs. Collaborate across teams to enhance decision-making and accelerate drug discovery...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $201K *

Unlock potential by integrating AI and computational design into biologics discovery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance therapeutic development and drive innovative solutions in drug...

2 weeks 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.