Explore Staff Scientist opportunities for experienced researchers and scientific professionals. Staff Scientists lead and support research programs, design experiments, analyze data, develop methods, and share findings with scientific and business partners. On Ladders, discover vetted professional roles with salaries of $100,000 or more across research organizations, life sciences, healthcare, technology, government, and academia.
Staff Scientist responsibilities vary by field and employer. The role may involve planning and conducting experiments, managing specialized equipment or laboratory operations, interpreting complex datasets, contributing to publications and proposals, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. Many Staff Scientists also guide junior researchers and help set technical direction for a project or research group.
Employers commonly seek deep subject-matter expertise, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and experience with relevant research methods, instruments, or computational tools. A Ph.D. is often preferred or required, though requirements depend on the discipline and position. Clear scientific communication, project management, collaboration, and a record of research contributions can also strengthen an application.
Compensation depends on factors such as specialization, experience, location, employer, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates explore Staff Scientist roles that align with their expertise and career goals. Senior opportunities may include increased research leadership, program ownership, or progression into principal scientist and research management positions.
Search Staff Scientist jobs by specialty, location, and employer to find opportunities suited to your background. Review role requirements, tailor your résumé to highlight relevant research outcomes and technical strengths, and explore positions that can advance your scientific career.
Senior Scientific Director (Virology)
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in developing and overseeing scientific content across multiple therapeutic areas, ensuring high-quality contributions and strategic client interactions to drive growth and innovation...
3 weeks ago
Senior Director, Analytical Sciences
$215K - $240K *
Shape the future of drug development by leading analytical strategies, ensuring compliance and optimization of processes across lifecycle stages, and collaborating with cross-functional teams and exte...
4 weeks ago
Senior Engineer/Scientist- Epidemiologist
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by providing expert epidemiological insights into occupational exposures for military aviation and firefighter data sets, driving impactful research and analysis to enhance safety...
3 weeks ago
Staff Bioinformatics Scientist, Clinical Applications
$146K - $196K *
Transform genomic insights into clinical applications by designing automated solutions and integrating AI/ML approaches. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance variant curation and ensure...
1 week ago
Research Scientist/Engineer 2, SeaHub
$68K - $113K *
Unlock new discoveries by performing molecular biology experiments, DNA sequencing, and data analysis in a collaborative lab environment. Contribute to innovative research that enhances our understand...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Physical Scientist - Seasonal Forecast System Developer
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative forecasting solutions by developing advanced marine and seasonal prediction models. Collaborate with scientists to enhance global coupled forecasting systems, leveraging AI/ML tech...
5 days ago
Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist (Multi-Cancer Early Detection)
$163K - $204K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative machine learning methods for cancer detection, collaborating with experts, and mentoring junior scientists to advance research in multi-cancer early detection us...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Scientist I - Analytical Chemistry and Molecular Biology - FSP
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of analytical chemistry by leading high-throughput testing, sample analysis, and documentation in a dynamic lab environment. Collaborate with a team to ensure compliance with safe...
3 weeks ago
Clinical Laboratory Supervisor
$91K - $100K *
Join a team that's dedicated to excellence in clinical lab operations, overseeing staff performance and ensuring compliance with quality standards. Lead daily activities, foster team development, and...
3 weeks ago
Physical Scientist for High-Resolution Regional Modeling for Atmospheric Rivers
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by conducting high-resolution modeling for atmospheric rivers, enhancing predictive capabilities within the Unified Forecast System, and collaborating on innovative parameterization m...
2 weeks ago
Senior Research Associate, Evidence Synthesis
$90K - $105K *
Elevate cancer detection research by leading systematic evidence reviews, mentoring junior staff, and managing projects to inform guidelines. Collaborate with experts to ensure high-quality outputs an...
Yesterday
Field Application Scientist, Pathway & NGS Analysis Software, QDI
$100K - $124K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful scientific software demonstrations and training. Collaborate with diverse teams to address customer needs and enhance bioinformatics solutions, driving innovati...
1 week ago
$150K - $170K *
Drive the creation of high-quality educational materials for the pharmaceutical industry, leveraging scientific expertise to support client objectives and foster business growth through strategic mark...
Yesterday
$139K - $222K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of housing market forecasting. Collaborate with experts to develop innovative models, extract key features, and communicate insights that drive strategic decision...
3 weeks ago
Senior Program Manager, AI Programs
$114K - $165K *
Transform AI initiatives by establishing a scalable operating model that integrates cross-functional teams, enhances stakeholder collaboration, and drives transparency in roadmaps and reporting for a...
1 week ago
Principal Scientist, Analytical Development
$170K - $190K *
Lead the charge in advancing analytical development strategies for small molecule drug substances and products, ensuring compliance and quality across the product lifecycle while collaborating with cr...
2 weeks ago
Chief Scientist, Director, Clinical Research Lab
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading a cutting-edge Clinical Research Laboratory, driving innovation in testing services, and ensuring regulatory compliance while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to enh...
4 days ago
Senior Research Scientist - Network Systems
$146K - $234K *
Transform complex challenges into innovative solutions by leveraging expertise in RF communications, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance cybersecurity and network research for government a...
Yesterday
$160K - $190K *
Empower your career by partnering with the Science Leadership Team to drive strategic initiatives, enhance operational effectiveness, and translate scientific vision into impactful outcomes across div...
1 week ago
Senior Scientific Director - Publications (Oncology)
$150K - $180K *
Drive impactful scientific communication by overseeing content development across therapeutic areas, ensuring strategic alignment with client goals while managing a team and collaborating with various...
3 weeks ago
AI Biologist - Structural Biology
$120K - $180K *
Unlock your potential by leading AI advancements in structural biology, evaluating agent reasoning, and ensuring scientific accuracy across molecular systems. Collaborate with engineers and scientists...
2 days ago
$77K - $97K *
Elevate customer satisfaction by coordinating seamless instrument installations. Manage logistics, collaborate with teams, and ensure timely revenue recognition while providing exceptional service thr...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Join us to lead the development and execution of clinical study designs, ensuring effective project management and collaboration across teams. Your expertise will drive the success of clinical trials...
2 weeks ago
Principal Scientist, Medical Physicist
$134K - $162K *
Contribute to the advancement of medical physics by leading dosimetry analysis for radiopharmaceuticals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive research in drug development and improve imagi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Lead Scientific EngineerProgrammer
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of innovative modeling capabilities to enhance our advanced simulation framework, collaborating with engineers to integrate numerical methods and apply machine learning for mo...
1 week ago
What does a Staff Scientist do?
A Staff Scientist conducts and supports research, designs experiments, analyzes results, maintains expertise in scientific methods or technologies, and collaborates with research teams. Depending on the role, they may also mentor colleagues and contribute to publications, proposals, or research strategy.
What qualifications are typically required for Staff Scientist jobs?
Requirements vary by discipline and employer. Many roles ask for a Ph.D. and relevant research experience, while some accept a master's degree paired with substantial specialized experience. Employers may also expect expertise in field-specific methods, instruments, or data analysis.
How much do Staff Scientists earn?
Staff Scientist pay varies according to field, experience, location, organization, and responsibilities. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, including eligible Staff Scientist roles.
Where do Staff Scientists work?
Staff Scientists work in settings such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies, national laboratories, and technology or industrial research organizations.
How can I find Staff Scientist jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Use Ladders to explore vetted professional Staff Scientist openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Search by location or specialization and compare requirements to identify roles that fit your experience.