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Chief Scientific Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Legend Biotech USA, Inc.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Chief Scientific Officer as part of the Research & Development team based in Somerset, NJ.Role OverviewLegend Biotech is recruiting a visionary scientist, an accomplished ...

ATCC

Chief Scientific Officer

Gaithersburg, MD

A global nonprofit that provides trusted biological materials for science and health, ATCC is hiring a Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team in ...

Travere

Chief Scientific Officer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer and serves as a member of the Executive Team. As the Company's foremost scientific ...

ATCC

Chief Scientific Officer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

A global nonprofit that provides trusted biological materials for science and health, ATCC is hiring a Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team in ...

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$47K

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How much do chief scientific officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief scientific officer in the United States is $118,455.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Chief Scientific Officer do?

A Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) is an executive responsible for overseeing a company's scientific research and development activities. They set the scientific vision and strategy, guide research teams, and ensure that projects align with business goals. CSOs often collaborate with other executives to drive innovation, secure funding, and maintain compliance with industry regulations. Their role is crucial in organizations focused on scientific advancement, such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or research-based companies.

What is the difference between Chief Scientific Officer vs Research Director?

AspectChief Scientific OfficerResearch Director
CredentialsAdvanced degrees in science (PhD, MD), extensive industry experienceAdvanced degrees, research experience, leadership skills
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationManaging research teams, project oversight, experimental design
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare companiesResearch institutions, R&D departments in various industries

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) is an executive responsible for the overall scientific strategy and innovation within a company, often involved in high-level decision-making. In contrast, a Research Director typically manages research teams and projects, focusing on executing scientific research. While both roles require advanced scientific credentials and industry experience, the CSO has a broader strategic role, whereas the Research Director is more focused on day-to-day research operations.

What Does a Chief Scientific Officer Do?

As a chief scientific officer, you provide scientific guidance and support for your company. As part of this, you may help other executives understand the likely timescale of a research program, help manage daily technological operations, and answer questions from other executive employees. The details of this job often vary by company—some CSOs focus on managing research and development operations while others help identify market opportunities, train new employees, or provide expert advice on specific subjects. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of this position often involves presentation skills, evaluating the qualifications of scientists, and managing regulatory training for all employees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Scientific Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Scientific Officer, you need advanced scientific expertise, a strong research background, and typically a Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant field, along with leadership experience. Familiarity with laboratory management systems, data analysis tools, and regulatory compliance processes is essential. Visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills set outstanding CSOs apart. These skills are crucial for guiding scientific strategy, ensuring research excellence, and aligning scientific objectives with organizational goals.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Chief Scientific Officer when leading cross-functional research teams?

Chief Scientific Officers often face the challenge of aligning diverse scientific teams with broader organizational goals while fostering innovation. Balancing the need for scientific rigor with business priorities can require strong communication and negotiation skills. Additionally, CSOs must ensure effective collaboration between departments such as R&D, regulatory, and commercial teams, often managing competing timelines and resource constraints. Overcoming these challenges involves setting clear expectations, promoting a collaborative culture, and maintaining open lines of communication across all stakeholders.
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Chief Scientific Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Scientific Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,455 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Chief Scientific Officer

Korn Ferry Executive Search

Boston, MA

Other

Medical, Vision, Life

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

Chief Scientific Officer

For more than 30 years, IHI has applied quality improvement methods to meet current and future health care challenges. Guided by its mission to improve health and health care worldwide so that everyone has the best care and health possible, IHI continues to drive meaningful impact across global health systems and hospitals, accelerating improvement in vital areas, including patient and workforce safety, health care workforce well-being and joy in work, health equity, maternal and infant health, end-of-life care, care and health for older adults, care and health for people with complex needs, care and health for people living with mental health and substance use disorders, waste and cost reduction, and the spread of the Triple Aim (better care, better health, and lower costs).

Critical to shaping and advancing IHI's global scientific vision, impact, and credibility is the role of the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), who will lead the development of a multi-year scientific agenda, ensuring that all work is grounded in rigorous evidence, innovation, and a commitment to improving health outcomes worldwide. 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CSO will guide the organization's improvement science strategy and establish enterprise-wide standards for scientific integrity, ethics, and data governance. They will play a critical role in strengthening how evidence is generated, applied, and shared-ensuring that programs, products, and partnerships deliver measurable, equitable impact across diverse global contexts. 

As a visible internal and external leader, the CSO will oversee the Improvement Science Hub and formalize IHI's Product Development and Management System (PDMS) to prioritize and manage offerings using clear decision processes, equity and local-context considerations, and sound business and financial judgment. They will not only strengthen partnerships and support growth through funder and customer engagement, but they will develop scientific talent and organizational capability to strengthen IHI's credibility and impact.

The ideal candidate will have earned an advanced degree (PhD, DrPH, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., public health, medicine, health services research, epidemiology, implementation science, social science, or a related discipline); have deep expertise in improvement science and practical application in complex systems; and, have strong scientific credibility demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and/or widely recognized applied contributions to the field.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to: tara.vittese@kornferry.com.

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.

Employment Type: OTHER

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