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Chief Scientific Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ATCC

Chief Scientific Officer (Manassas)

Manassas, VA · On-site

Chief Scientific Officer Department: Executive CEO Office Role Type: onsite Category: Executive CEO Office Job ID: 2026-4092 Locations: US-MD-Gaithersburg | US-VA-Manassas Scientific Background:

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 ...

Travere

Chief Scientific Officer

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 ...

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

$118.5K

$156K

How much do chief scientific officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 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 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.

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.

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Chief Scientific Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Scientific Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,455 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Chief Scientific Officer

ATCC Biotechnology

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$150 - $220/hr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Overview

Ready to shape the future of science and global health? 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 developing and executing ATCC’s scientific strategy aligned with the enterprise strategy. This role leads a world-class scientific and development organization, defines and executes scientific vision and priorities across emerging areas of biology, identifies portfolio gaps and determines optimal paths (build, partner, or acquire), and ensures delivery of scientifically robust, future-ready capabilities.

The CSO serves as ATCC’s external scientific voice and listener, builds advanced model platforms, and aligns scientific innovation with commercial, operational, and quality priorities to translate capabilities into impactful offerings. This role is onsite. Join ATCC and be part of a team that supports the global scientific community with trusted, authenticated biological materials.

Responsibilities
  • Scientific Vision & Strategy: Define and execute ATCC’s scientific strategy underpinning the enterprise strategy, evolve products and services, and advance priorities across emerging areas of biology while championing reproducibility and scientific standards.
  • Platform Development & Innovation: Lead the build and scale advanced model platforms including 3D systems, organoids, organ-on-chip technologies, spatial biology, stem cell–based systems, and integrated computational/in silico models aligned to research and industry needs.
  • Organizational Leadership & Delivery: Lead and scale a multi-disciplinary scientific organization, establish an operating model across research, development, and programs, and ensure disciplined delivery aligned to strategy, timelines, and budgets.
  • External Scientific Leadership: Serve as a credible scientific spokesperson, build relationships across biopharma, academia, and government, and represent ATCC in forums, partnerships, and collaborations to elevate scientific impact.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with Commercial, Operations, Quality, and data science teams to align priorities, integrate experimental and computational capabilities, and translate scientific assets into scalable offerings.
  • Portfolio & Program Management: Identify scientific and portfolio gaps, determine optimal execution paths, and advance high-impact programs with clear prioritization and accountability.
Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline, PhD and 11+ years of experience in life sciences, including leadership roles overseeing scientific teams and programs.
  • Demonstrated leadership of complex scientific organizations, operating with autonomy to drive strategy, execution, and transformation in evolving environments.
  • Proven track record of building and scaling scientific organizations within biotech, life sciences tools, or innovation-driven environments.
  • Expertise in cell biology and/or advanced biological systems, including next-generation model platforms (e.g., 3D systems, organoids, spatial biology, stem cell-based systems).
  • Experience in applied or translational settings with strong understanding of data integrity, standardization, and reproducibility.
  • Experience working in cross-functional environments with computational biology, product, or commercial teams, and delivering programs with scientific rigor and business maturity.
  • Preferred: Established external scientific presence and strong professional network across biopharma, academia, and government.
  • Preferred: Experience in entrepreneurial or high-growth environments and scaling laboratory environments and scientific infrastructure.
Benefits

We Invest in You

  • Health & Wellness:
    • Comprehensive medical coverage and company paid Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, AD&D, and paid parental leave
    • Work life balance with Paid Holidays and PTO
    • Fitness and cell phone subsidies, and additional benefits such as legal services, pet insurance and additional supplemental coverage.
    • Employee Assistance Program offering around-the-clock counseling
  • Financial security:
    • 401(a) (6% employer contribution) and 403(b) (2% match) retirement plans
    • Exceptional career advancement opportunities, recognition, and rewards
    • Corporate bonus program
  • Mission Focused:
    • Non-profit organization supporting critical life science research
    • We give scientists the tools they need to make discoveries that improve and save lives
    • Contribute to community involvement and social responsibility

Join ATCC, where we fuel your success, well-being, and development. We’re a mission-focused non-profit Equal Opportunity Employer, celebrating a century of supporting global public health. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Shape the future of science with us.

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