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.
Associate Medical Director (Promotional Medical Education)
$100K - $125K *
Manage a team of medical writers to develop impactful scientific content, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to drive medical strategies and delivera...
Reposted 1 week ago
$170K - $190K *
Develop and scale backend systems for a data infrastructure platform, focusing on PostgreSQL, Kafka event pipelines, and GraphQL APIs. Collaborate across teams to enhance data usability and support cl...
3 weeks ago
$238K - $322K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI in security. Lead the technical vision for LLMs and agentic systems, driving innovation and mentoring talent while optimizing performance across multiple pr...
Today
Assistant Project Civil Engineer
$76K - $98K *
Contribute to innovative civil engineering projects by designing stormwater management systems and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions while ensuring compliance...
1 week ago
Associate Director, Compliance Field Commercialization, Lung
$177K - $221K *
Empower compliance excellence by leading the NSCLC field compliance program. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify risks, develop scalable solutions, and ensure adherence to regulations...
2 weeks ago
Senior Key Account Manager, Global Strategic Pharma - Proteomics
$144K - $192K *
Unlock potential by leading global strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical organizations. Drive revenue growth through collaboration across teams, leveraging scientific expertise to influence decis...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in uncovering user insights to enrich product experiences. Collaborate across teams to implement research findings, enhance usability, and establish a culture that prioritizes user-fir...
Reposted 1 week ago
$88K - $154K *
Lead the charge in high-quality process design for complex industrial projects, collaborating across disciplines to ensure effective delivery from concept to detail, while driving execution in a dynam...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Staff Applied AI Engineer (Tech Lead)
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of AI by leading technical direction and architecture for innovative agent systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, security, and efficiency while mentoring...
3 weeks ago
$98K - $167K *
Innovate and enhance machine learning pipelines to operationalize AI initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, ensure model performance, and support scalable soluti...
2 weeks ago
$119K - $179K *
Lead the charge in architecting FHIR-compliant data models to enhance clinical data integration and usability, supporting patient care and research initiatives across the organization...
3 weeks ago
Systems Architect 2, MLOps Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Elevate the design and deployment of clinical applications by leading MLOps initiatives, optimizing workflows, and integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and patient care...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer critical electrical and mechanical systems for data centers, leading field support, troubleshooting, and reliability improvements while developing operational standards and mentoring teams to...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Manage a dedicated team to enhance patient access to complex medications, ensuring operational excellence and compliance while delivering exceptional experiences. Guide strategic improvements to optim...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$180K - $235K *
Drive growth by leveraging your consultative sales expertise to engage higher education leaders, aligning their needs with innovative research solutions while managing client relationships and achievi...
1 week ago
Principal Technologist - AI Compute
$160K - $200K *
Elevate your career as a Principal Technologist, leading AI compute infrastructure solutions in pre-sales. Collaborate with top-tier clients, drive innovative designs, and influence strategic engageme...
5 days ago
Director, Project Management Oncology
$192K - $288K *
Drive strategic operational leadership in oncology development, optimizing timelines and resources while fostering high-performing cross-functional teams. Lead project execution and risk management to...
Today
Director of Technology & Product
$115K - $135K *
Innovate technology strategy and operations, leading a team to enhance product lifecycle and client solutions. Collaborate with executives to implement AI tools and ensure effective vendor management...
5 days ago
$85K - $110K *
Champion wildlife conservation by managing diverse natural resource projects, conducting biological surveys, and mentoring junior staff. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance a...
3 days ago
$223K - $285K *
Drive enterprise growth by leading national strategies for health systems, enhancing market access, and fostering strategic partnerships to ensure the adoption of innovative screening solutions across...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Innovate within a dynamic engineering team, driving robust backend solutions for user-centric products while enhancing platform reliability and efficiency across various projects in a collaborative en...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer
$140K - $160K *
Lead the charge in embedding AI solutions across clinical, product, and operations teams, ensuring validated and governed features are shipped. Own initiatives end-to-end, enhance AI fluency, and buil...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Process Engineer, Drug Substance
$110K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee process validation and support for small molecule API manufacturing, ensuring compliance and quality in collaboration with CMOs while driving continuous improvement and...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Manager, Marketing AI Capabilities
$149K - $202K *
Lead the transformation and execution of AI marketing capabilities, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design data-driven workflows, product strategies, and measurable outcomes that optimize...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of IT capacity management by ensuring resources meet business demand in a regulated environment. Collaborate with teams to optimize performance, manage risks, and align strategies for...
Reposted 3 weeks 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.