Staff Scientist Jobs

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.

What Does a Staff Scientist Do?

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Staff Scientist Salary and Career Opportunities

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.

Find Staff Scientist Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$125K - $150K *

Elevate the security of AI agents by uncovering vulnerabilities and shaping industry standards through impactful research and responsible disclosure across diverse platforms and technologies...

New York City, NYRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute a strategic product roadmap, integrating market insights and performance metrics to drive customer-centric solutions in the diagnostics and genomics...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Empower our data-driven growth by leading a team of data scientists to architect and build innovative models and systems that enhance audience targeting and measurement capabilities, driving impactful...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$180K *

Lead the charge in enhancing and monitoring statistical/ML models to detect Fraud, Waste & Abuse in high-volume prescription transactions. Collaborate with teams to drive innovation and improve busine...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$85K - $95K *

Transform data into actionable insights by developing predictive models and automating workflows. Collaborate in a dynamic environment to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency using advan...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

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

$100K - $115K *

Elevate your career by developing robust back-end solutions in a dynamic, cloud-native environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software engineering practices and drive impactfu...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining forensics and collections globally. Lead a skilled team, enhance operational efficiency, and drive client engagement while ensuring compliance and defensibility across re...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$221K - $335K *

Elevate clinical research by leading innovative studies, ensuring data integrity and patient safety. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive strategic initiatives and enhance clinical development whil...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of in vitro diagnostics by leading complex, cross-functional product development projects from concept to launch in a regulated environment, ensuring compliance a...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $135K *

Drive technical excellence and team growth by leading software development initiatives, managing resources, and ensuring project alignment with business goals while maintaining security and operationa...

Emeryville, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $150K *

Lead the charge in environmental policy analysis and compliance, ensuring adherence to NEPA and other regulations. Collaborate with agencies, conduct research, and draft reports to support sustainable...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$112K - $222K *

Empower the clinical site management team from initiation to closure, ensuring effective monitoring and sponsor engagement. Drive results while fostering a collaborative and professional environment...

Durham, NCRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$211K - $281K *

Champion regulatory excellence by leading U.S. FDA engagement and strategy for product development, ensuring timely approvals and compliance while driving cross-functional collaboration and organizati...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$156K - $211K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, driving innovative AI solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop scalable prototypes, translating complex business needs...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing critical technical programs, enhancing research infrastructure while ensuring impactful collaboration across teams. Empower researchers to translate their wor...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$120K - $250K *

Transform clinical trials by ensuring patient safety and scientific integrity. Collaborate with stakeholders to uphold regulatory standards and optimize study protocols, while providing expert medical...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping high-impact strategies and narratives for enterprise growth. Collaborate with senior leaders to craft compelling pitches and support organic initiatives, driving success acr...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $130K *

Optimize research operations by leading cross-team initiatives, establishing effective tracking systems, and maintaining a dynamic evidence repository. Drive efficiency and clarity in processes while...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Empower a high-performing sales team to drive strategic growth and customer engagement in the biopharma sector. Lead complex sales initiatives, build executive relationships, and translate business st...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Transform client challenges into innovative solutions while mentoring teammates and driving tech excellence. Collaborate in a dynamic, non-hierarchical environment to inspire and elevate product engin...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$76K - $95K *

Advance your career by overseeing clinical study start-up processes, ensuring compliance with regulations while efficiently managing submissions and leveraging partnerships to optimize timelines and o...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$230K - $275K *

Lead the charge in vulnerability research and exploitation techniques, transforming real-world threats into automated solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance security measures and validate defens...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $350K *

Transform complex AI research into scalable, reliable systems. Collaborate across teams to architect and enhance backend services, ensuring robust infrastructure for model training and data collection...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$171K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of scalable data platforms. Drive innovation in cloud data architecture and pipeline automation, collaborating across teams to deliver impactf...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $245K *

Drive the execution of companion diagnostics strategy, managing cross-functional teams and partnerships to ensure successful assay development and regulatory compliance, ultimately enhancing patient o...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Staff Scientist do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.