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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$100K - $120K *

Champion regulatory strategies for innovative natural products, ensuring compliance and safety across global markets. Engage with authorities and industry leaders to secure approvals and drive scienti...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$173K - $272K *

Lead the transformation of scientific data management by driving the Signals strategy, enhancing digital capabilities, and fostering collaboration across teams to deliver actionable insights and impro...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$173K - $272K *

Drive transformational impact by leading Signals strategy and informatics, ensuring robust data capture and analytics across drug development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance scient...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$173K - $272K *

Innovate within the Digital Insights team to lead Signals strategy, ensuring robust data capture and analytics. Drive digital transformation in CMC development, enhancing scientific decision-making th...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by driving spatial biology experiments and AI model development. Collaborate in a multidisciplinary lab, ensuring quality standards and mentoring team members while executing high...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing biologics separation methods. Leverage your expertise in analytical development and lifecycle management to support critical projects in a collaborative labor...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $100K *

Join us to support the technical transfer and lifecycle management of biologics separation methods. Leverage your expertise in analytical method development and validation to drive impactful results i...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Oversee laboratory investigations in a cGMP environment, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure compliance and timely resolution of quality issues...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Transform experimental operations by executing complex lab and pilot-scale campaigns. Leverage your expertise in troubleshooting and equipment management to drive product and process development while...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$94K - $130K *

Advance peptide process development by driving research, optimization, and compliance initiatives. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions for peptide manufacturing and expand capabil...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$81K - $122K *

Join a dynamic team to advance LNP biology through in vitro and ex vivo assays, supporting targeted delivery programs and in vivo studies, while collaborating on data analysis and protocol development...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform biologics drug discovery by leading antibody engineering campaigns, optimizing therapeutic formats, and collaborating across teams to advance innovative solutions from concept to candidate n...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's advancing cell therapy by leading process development and optimization. You'll design workflows, execute processing runs, and ensure compliance, collaborating with cross-functional...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to lead analytical development strategies for biologics characterization, driving innovative solutions and collaborating across functions to advance therapeutic products from disco...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $145K *

Transform vaccine development by leveraging your biophysics expertise to design and execute advanced protein biochemistry experiments, collaborating cross-functionally to drive antigen selection and s...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $166K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing molecular assay development. Leverage your expertise to design, implement, and mentor in innovative laboratory practices, ensuring compliance and excellence i...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $95K *

Accelerate progress at drug development by leading bioanalytical studies, optimizing methods, interpreting data, and collaborating with teams to enhance innovative therapies for patients...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Champion complex analytical programs, providing technical leadership and mentorship while ensuring compliance and rigorous scientific standards. Engage actively in laboratory execution and problem-sol...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in advancing RF pre-ionization technology for fusion generators. Drive experimental design, execution, and performance optimization to achieve cutting-edge plasma systems while collabo...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovative experimental physics projects to enhance plasma diagnostics and optimize fusion device designs, collaborating with national labs and universities while publishing findings and securin...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$178K - $257K *

Champion innovative systems toxicology by leading complex analyses and integrating multi-omics data to enhance drug safety assessments. Collaborate globally to translate scientific insights into impac...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Lead the Validation and Process Engineering teams to ensure compliance and efficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Oversee equipment validation, project management, and cross-department collaborat...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$218K - $295K *

Create innovative models that enhance advertising strategies, driving advertiser success through advanced machine learning and optimization techniques. Lead a team to translate complex needs into acti...

1 week ago

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

$218K - $295K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of innovative AI models that optimize advertising strategies, enhance campaign performance, and drive measurable growth for advertisers through advanced mac...

2 weeks ago

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

$156K - $214K *

Lead the charge in preformulation and pharmaceutical development, providing strategic guidance and technical expertise across drug development programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensu...

2 weeks 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.