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Science Leadership Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Novartis

Director, Decision Science CVM

East Hanover, NJ · Hybrid

$185K - $344K/yr

Reporting into the ED, Decision Science, this role supports the leadership team by providing robust responses to portfolio and enterprise-wide requests. The role aims to elevate the overall IDS ...

Stord, Inc.

Director of Decision Science

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Hundreds of leading DTC and B2B companies like AG1, True Classic, Native, Seed Health, quip, goodr ... Decision Science is the function that turns that signal into competitive advantage. The modeling ...

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Science Leadership information

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$80.5K

$111.9K

$144K

How much do science leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for science leadership in the United States is $111,876.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can I do with a Masters of science in leadership?

A Masters of Science in Leadership prepares individuals for management roles across various industries, including science, healthcare, and technology. Graduates can pursue positions such as project manager, team leader, or department head, often requiring strong communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills. The degree can also support advancement into executive or administrative roles, especially when combined with relevant experience or certifications.

What does a science lead do?

A science lead oversees scientific projects, guides research teams, and ensures the accuracy and quality of scientific work. They often coordinate experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings to stakeholders, requiring strong leadership, technical expertise, and knowledge of scientific tools and methodologies.

What is the highest paid job in science?

In science leadership, executive roles such as Chief Scientific Officer or Vice President of Research tend to be the highest paid, often earning six-figure salaries or more. These positions require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong management skills, and they typically oversee research strategies and scientific teams within organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Science Leadership roles, and how can they be effectively managed?

Professionals in Science Leadership roles often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with scientific research, managing interdisciplinary teams, and ensuring clear communication across departments. Navigating conflicting priorities and fostering an environment that encourages innovation while maintaining project timelines are also frequent hurdles. These challenges can be effectively managed by developing strong organizational skills, delegating responsibilities appropriately, and promoting open, transparent communication within the team. Additionally, ongoing leadership training and mentorship can help cultivate the skills needed to address both scientific and managerial aspects of the role.

What is science leadership?

Science leadership refers to the roles and responsibilities of individuals who guide scientific research, innovation, and policy within organizations or institutions. Science leaders often direct research teams, manage projects, secure funding, and help set scientific priorities. They play a key role in fostering collaboration, mentoring junior scientists, and ensuring ethical standards. Effective science leaders also communicate scientific findings to stakeholders and the public, influencing the direction of scientific advancement.

What jobs will be left by 2030?

By 2030, roles in science leadership such as research directors, project managers, and science policy advisors are expected to remain in demand due to ongoing need for expertise in scientific innovation and management. However, automation and AI tools may reduce demand for routine administrative or data entry positions within scientific organizations. Strong leadership, communication, and technical skills will be essential for these roles to adapt to evolving technologies.

What is the difference between Science Leadership vs Research Scientist?

AspectScience LeadershipResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD), leadership experienceTypically PhD or Master's, specialized research skills
Work EnvironmentManagement, strategic planning, team oversightLaboratory or field research, data analysis
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, academiaUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership roles in scienceHands-on research roles

Science Leadership involves managing teams, setting research strategies, and overseeing projects, often requiring leadership experience and advanced degrees. Research Scientists focus on conducting experiments, analyzing data, and advancing scientific knowledge through hands-on research. While both roles are integral to scientific progress, Science Leadership emphasizes management and strategic planning, whereas Research Scientists concentrate on experimental work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Science Leadership, and why are they important?

To thrive in Science Leadership, you need a strong background in a scientific discipline, experience in research management, and often an advanced degree such as a PhD. Familiarity with data analysis software, project management tools, and grant-writing systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and team-building abilities set outstanding science leaders apart. These competencies enable effective guidance of research teams, secure funding, and foster innovation in scientific organizations.
More about Science Leadership jobs
What cities are hiring for Science Leadership jobs? Cities with the most Science Leadership job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Science Leadership jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Science Leadership jobs are:
Science Leadership jobs near you
Infographic showing various Science Leadership job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,876 per year, or $53.8 per hour.
Associate Lab Director, Data & Computational Science

Associate Lab Director, Data & Computational Science

Jefferson Lab

Newport News, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

At Jefferson Lab, you'll champion cutting-edge science and operational excellence while shaping the future of discovery. Join us and make your mark - where excellence meets purpose, and great minds truly matter.
What your job will be like:
The Associate Laboratory Director, Data & Computational Science (ALD, Data and Computational Science) provides strategic and operational leadership for the High-Performance Data Facility (HPDF) and the Laboratory's data and computational science enterprise. This role is responsible for delivering world-class HPDF operations while advancing innovative research and development in scientific computing, data science, and AI-enabled discovery. The ALD, Data and Computational Science will oversee major divisions in scientific computing, scientific data, and the Data Office. In this role, the ALD, Data and Computational Science will be instrumental in positioning data and computation as foundational drivers of scientific excellence and innovation and enable the seamless integration of computation, theory, and experiment for a future multi-purpose laboratory. A central focus of this position is leading the transition of HPDF from a major project to full operational status, ensuring its success as a premier DOE user facility. Through visionary leadership, strong partnerships, and disciplined execution, the ALD, Data and Computational Science will establish HPDF as a transformative capability that advances discovery, strengthens national scientific leadership, and delivers enduring impact for the Laboratory and its user community.
In this job you will:
  • Provide leadership and oversight to ensure the successful, reliable and safe operation of the Data & Computational Science capability with divisions in scientific computing and scientific data, and the data office.
  • Collaborate with the HPDF Project Office to ensure support and execution of the HPDF DOE O 413.3b project and prepare for enduring operations of the HDPF capability and associate User Program.
  • Develop mechanisms to support users to address critical research challenges, realize major scientific breakthroughs and develop cutting-edge particle detectors.
  • Assess the changing Data & Computational Science needs of the physics user community.
  • Maintain strong and respectful relationships with the major computing sponsor, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR).
  • Lead division-wide talent strategies by championing leadership development, robust succession planning, and continuous performance coaching.
  • Meet milestones for ongoing projects, including HPDF.
  • Serve as a member of the Directorate, sharing responsibility for the excellence in science and technology, operational excellence, and community engagement at TJNAF.
  • Work with Directorate and Lab Director's Office to identify and implement other Laboratory research priorities, including thorough strategic use of LDRD (Laboratory-Directed Research and Development).
  • Create and nurture an environment that promotes and embraces a multi-faceted workforce and champions the TJNAF values of impact, teamwork, safety, integrity and service.
  • Provide Data & Computational Science perspectives on Laboratory-Level decisions and key Laboratory committees.
  • Lead self-assessments, planning and tracking for Data & Computational Science elements associated with the Laboratory Agenda, Annual Laboratory Plan, and other performance tools.
  • Implement management systems, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across Data & Computational Science, using these systems to steward the capability.

Lead - Supervisory - Management
  • Perform line management of the Data & Computational Science leadership, including Scientific Computing, Scientific Data, and the Data Office.
  • Identify key organizational staffing needs, recruit and develop S&T staff to be future leaders/mentors.
  • Lead and manage, through direct report and matrixed staff, the Scientific Computing and Scientific Data divisions and the Data Office.

Experience
  • Required: 20 or more years International recognition and demonstrated accomplishments
  • Required: 5 or more years Demonstrated executive management experience, including developing and leading large complex and multidisciplinary research programs and/or user facilities
  • Required: Demonstrated experience of successfully developing, implementing, and executing scientific strategy with engagement from critical stakeholders
  • Required: Experience communicating with key stakeholders, clients, program sponsors, internal staff, and the security/intelligence community
  • Required: Proven commitment to safety and integrity
  • Preferred: Track record of using data and computational science capabilities for scientific discovery

Education
  • Required: Ph.D.

Experience and Education Exchange
Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Extensive knowledge of data and computational science capabilities for scientific discovery.
  • Ability to lead and manage complex technical scope.
  • Ability to establish priorities, assess competing resource demands and make decisions that optimize performance.
  • Familiarity with the Department of Energy.
  • Proficiency in financial analysis and forecasting.
  • Strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills with the ability to organize, analyze, and implement complex topics and initiatives, with attention to detail.
  • Capable of handling multiple competing priorities in a complex R&D environment.
  • Commitment to safety, high standard of ethics, and integrity.

About Jefferson Lab
Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a vibrant and growing technology community.
A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of "big science" and work alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by SURATech, LLC, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the world.
Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab
At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans • Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
• 401(k) Plan - 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested • Flexible Work Arrangements
(Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to nearby beaches,
mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast
SURATech, LLC manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). SURATech is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
SURATech is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@jlab.org or contact Human Resources by calling (757) 269-7100 and selecting option 1 between 8 am - 5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request.
Employment with SURATech is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign-state-sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full-time, part-time or voluntary.

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