Explore Senior Scientist Jobs

Find Senior Scientist opportunities for experienced researchers ready to lead studies, advance scientific programs, and translate complex data into meaningful results. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior-level positions across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, and other research-driven industries.

What Does a Senior Scientist Do?

Senior Scientists plan and conduct research, develop methods and experiments, analyze results, and communicate findings to technical and business stakeholders. Depending on the organization and specialty, they may guide research programs, mentor scientists, collaborate across teams, manage laboratory or project resources, and support product development or regulatory submissions.

Common Senior Scientist Specialties

Senior Scientist roles span a range of disciplines, including molecular biology, immunology, bioinformatics, chemistry, materials science, neuroscience, data science, and clinical research. Review each job description for the specific scientific expertise, tools, and industry experience required.

Skills and Qualifications Employers Seek

Employers often look for a relevant advanced degree or equivalent experience, a strong record of scientific contributions, and expertise in research methods used in the role. Valuable qualifications may include experimental design, statistical analysis, technical writing, project leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to mentor colleagues. Requirements vary by specialty and employer.

Find Your Next Senior Scientist Role

Search Senior Scientist jobs on Ladders to discover vetted opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by industry, location, responsibilities, and qualifications, and focus your search on positions that match your scientific background and career goals.

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$120K - $145K *

Engineer robust microbial-based peptide production processes, optimizing expression, recovery, and purification strategies. Collaborate cross-functionally to advance therapeutic peptide development an...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$72K - $215K *

Drive innovation in RNA-LNP drug product development by designing and executing formulation studies, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and supporting technology transfer for early-phase clin...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$107K - $130K *

Lead cross-functional teams to enhance weapons performance analysis and database management, ensuring effective integration of technology into WMD/HDBT programs while supporting decision-making throug...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

$179K - $212K *

Advance your career by providing expert CMC guidance for innovative biologics, focusing on cell and gene therapy. Collaborate across teams to drive technical strategies and ensure quality in developme...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform the future of drug development by leading innovative chemical processes for clinical therapies. Drive research initiatives, collaborate cross-functionally, and publish findings to enhance ph...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$163K - $214K *

Advance your career by leading innovative amyloid research, developing assays, and characterizing proteins to drive breakthroughs in neurodegenerative therapies. Collaborate with a dynamic team to sha...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $220K *

Drive the end-to-end ML and LLM lifecycle, optimizing AI workflows and automations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure scalable, reliable production of AI-driven solutions while impleme...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$87K - $119K *

Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of material science through advanced electron microscopy. Contribute to groundbreaking research by analyzing complex materials, collaborating with experts, an...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Unlock the potential of quality control by conducting critical testing and validation. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure compliance with regulatory standards while driving continuous improveme...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K *

Champion innovative research by leading lab operations, training staff, and enhancing protocols. Drive independent assay execution and troubleshooting while ensuring data quality and compliance in a d...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$146K - $229K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in advanced silica and polymer technologies. As a Senior R&D Scientist, you'll tackle complex challenges, influence technology strategy, and lead high-impact proj...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$79K - $118K *

Engage your expertise to drive innovative research in an analytical lab, focusing on chromatography and spectrometry. Collaborate with scientists to solve complex materials challenges and communicate...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$104K - $186K *

Join a team that's advancing pediatric cancer research through innovative preclinical studies. Collaborate with experts to develop and oversee therapeutic testing, ensuring compliance and excellence i...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $155K *

Optimize purification processes for therapeutic biologics, collaborating across teams to ensure robust, scalable solutions for clinical and commercial applications. Drive experimental design and data...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$118K - $182K *

Champion the seamless execution of automated lab workflows, ensuring operational excellence and quality while leading a dedicated team in a fast-paced research environment. Your leadership will drive...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$174K - $252K *

Join a team that's advancing quantum computing by developing innovative error correction models and simulations. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance hardware design and contribute to groundbreak...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$288K - $420K *

Reimagine the future of materials science by leading a team in developing agentic AI systems. Own the scientific rigor and technical direction to drive innovations from research to production, ultimat...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$288K - $420K *

Lead the charge in developing agentic AI systems for materials science, setting technical direction, mentoring a team, and integrating cutting-edge research with practical applications. Drive innovati...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Transform analytical development by leading LC-MS method optimization for bioconjugate characterization, ensuring robust workflows and collaboration across teams to support clinical programs and regul...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$147K - $274K *

Empower innovation by leading applied AI research initiatives that shape product features. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex problems into impactful AI solutions, mentoring...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$88K - $134K *

Champion innovative laboratory techniques and lead complex experiments to advance protein-based reagent development. Collaborate with a skilled team while managing junior members and ensuring high-qua...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing analytical methods to enhance manufacturing processes for clinical and commercial products, ensuring quality and efficacy while collaborating with cross-fun...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$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

$85K - $128K *

Shape the future of cell line development by leading iPSC gene editing strategies, ensuring reproducibility and scalability in differentiation workflows, and providing expert guidance to cross-functio...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior Scientist do?question toggle

    A Senior Scientist leads or contributes to research and development by designing studies, conducting experiments, analyzing data, documenting results, and sharing findings. Many roles also include mentoring, project leadership, and collaboration with other teams.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Senior Scientist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements depend on the field and employer. Many positions seek an advanced degree or equivalent professional experience, relevant scientific expertise, and a record of research accomplishments. Some roles also require specific laboratory, computational, regulatory, or industry experience.

  • Which industries hire Senior Scientists?question toggle

    Senior Scientists work in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medical devices, technology, chemicals, materials science, government, and academic or nonprofit research. Responsibilities and specializations differ across industries.

  • How much do Senior Scientist jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation varies by specialty, experience, employer, and location. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, so you can explore Senior Scientist opportunities at this salary level and above.

  • How can I find Senior Scientist jobs on Ladders?question toggle

    Browse Senior Scientist listings on Ladders and filter or compare opportunities by location, industry, and role requirements. Review each posting to confirm that its responsibilities and qualifications align with your experience.