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Scientific Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Scientific Director partners cross-functionally to ensure high-quality, timely decision-making and proactive risk mitigation across the portfolio. Key Responsibilities Scientific and ...

D. scientists in the development and validation of bioanalytical methods to support multiple ... Direct staff recruitment, onboarding, training, and career progression. * Ensure compliance with ...

SERM Scientific Director Business Introduction At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on ...

SERM Scientific Director Business Introduction At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on ...

The SERM Scientific Director will provide in-depth medical/scientific expertise in the safety evaluation and risk management of key GSK assets or in clinical development and/or the post-marketing ...

SERM Scientific Director Business Introduction At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on ...

The SERM Scientific Director will provide in-depth medical/scientific expertise in the safety evaluation and risk management of key GSK assets or in clinical development and/or the post-marketing ...

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Scientific Director information

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$92K

$156.7K

$193.5K

How much do scientific director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for scientific director in the United States is $156,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $149,500.00 and $169,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Scientific Director vs Research Scientist?

AspectScientific DirectorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or MD), extensive research experienceTypically a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work environmentLeadership roles in labs, research institutions, or pharmaceutical companiesLaboratory or field research settings, often under supervision
Employer and industry usageUsed in biotech, pharma, academia for overseeing research programsCommon in research labs, academia, and industry for conducting experiments

The main difference is that a Scientific Director oversees research programs and manages teams, requiring leadership skills and strategic planning, while a Research Scientist focuses on conducting experiments and generating data. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the Scientific Director has broader responsibilities in guiding research direction.

How does a Scientific Director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a research organization?

Scientific Directors play a central role in coordinating efforts across various departments, such as research scientists, clinical teams, regulatory affairs, and business development. They facilitate communication to ensure that scientific objectives align with organizational goals and project timelines. Regular meetings, joint project planning, and shared data platforms are commonly used to maintain transparency and drive progress. This collaborative approach helps streamline decision-making and fosters innovation by integrating diverse expertise.

What is a Scientific Director?

A Scientific Director is a senior leader responsible for overseeing and guiding the scientific research and development efforts within an organization. They set the strategic direction for research programs, manage scientific teams, and ensure projects align with the organization’s goals and regulatory standards. Scientific Directors often collaborate with other departments, secure funding, and represent the organization at conferences or in partnerships. Their role is crucial in driving innovation and maintaining the quality and integrity of scientific work.

What Does a Scientific Director Do?

A scientific director manages research programs for a company, organization, or institution. Your job duties can vary depending on where you work, but as a scientific director, you help define the research direction of an organization. You may oversee laboratory experiments, hire researchers to meet staffing needs, and offer guidance so that the research meets specific goals. You establish initiatives and create strategies that help your facility meet particular objectives. A scientific director sometimes acts as a liaison between researchers and other executives or administrators.

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

To thrive as a Scientific Director, you need advanced expertise in scientific research, typically supported by a Ph.D. and significant leadership experience in your field. Proficiency with research management tools, data analysis software, and familiarity with regulatory compliance systems is expected. Strong strategic thinking, communication, and team leadership skills set exceptional candidates apart. These skills are vital for driving innovative research, managing multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring project success within organizational and regulatory frameworks.
What cities are hiring for Scientific Director jobs? Cities with the most Scientific Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Scientific jobs? The most popular types of Scientific jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Scientific Director jobs? The top employers for Scientific Director jobs are:
What states have the most Scientific Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Scientific Director jobs include:
SERM Scientific Director

$169K - $283K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


GlaxoSmithKline rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 73 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Business Introduction
At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people's lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients' needs and have the highest probability of success. We're uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.
Find out more:
Our approach to R&D
Position Summary

Provides advanced scientific expertise in the safety evaluation and risk management of key GSK oncology assets in clinical development. Leads the identification, assessment, and communication of safety risks to ensure robust benefit-risk profiles and protection of patients globally.
This role is critical in shaping the safety strategy of innovative oncology therapies and directly impacting patient outcomes. The Scientific Director partners cross-functionally to ensure high-quality, timely decision-making and proactive risk mitigation across the portfolio.
Key ResponsibilitiesScientific and Pharmacovigilance Leadership
  • Lead pharmacovigilance activities and risk mitigation strategies for assigned oncology assets and clinical trials
  • Drive the evaluation and interpretation of safety data, including signal detection and assessment
  • Develop strategic approaches for safety issue evaluation within clinical development programs
  • Contribute to safety components of global regulatory submissions (e.g., INDs, DSURs, IBs)
  • Perform literature review, clinical data synthesis, and integrated safety analyses to inform decision-making
  • Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of outputs while managing multiple priorities
Cross-Functional Matrix Leadership
  • Represent Safety Evaluation & Risk Management (SERM) on Clinical Matrix and Project Teams
  • Lead cross-functional efforts to address urgent and complex product safety issues
  • Partner closely with Safety Physicians and stakeholders to prepare and present at Safety Review Team (SRT) meetings
  • Escalate emerging safety issues to senior leadership and governance bodies as appropriate
  • Build strong working relationships and effectively lead within a global matrix environment
  • Mentor and coach junior team members as applicable
Communication, Influence, and Strategy
  • Present safety recommendations and emerging risks to senior governance committees with clarity and impact
  • Represent GSK in interactions with regulatory authorities, external experts, and partners
  • Apply strategic thinking to evaluate internal and external factors influencing safety decisions
  • Contribute to long-term safety and clinical development strategies
  • Drive continuous improvement by introducing innovative approaches to safety evaluation and processes
  • Communicate complex scientific information effectively to diverse audiences


Basic Qualifications
We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals:
- Degree in a health or life sciences discipline (e.g., Bachelor of Science, PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent).
- Minimum 5 years experience in pharmacovigilance, drug safety, or related safety evaluation role in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
- Practical experience in signal detection, safety surveillance and risk management across clinical development and post-marketing.
- Knowledge of global pharmacovigilance requirements and drug development processes.
- Strong clinical or scientific judgement with experience interpreting clinical and safety data.
Preferred Qualification
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
- Advanced degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) or equivalent clinical qualification.
- 10 or more years of pharmacovigilance or medical safety experience.
- Experience in preparing regulatory safety documents and participating in regulatory interactions.
- Experience leading safety activities in a specific therapeutic area relevant to the role.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrix setting.
- Experience supporting inspections, audits, and readiness activities.
How to apply
If this role speaks to you, please submit your CV and a brief cover note outlining your relevant experience and interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $169,950 to $283,250. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate's skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate Recruitment Staff by emailing us at -usrecruitment.adjustments@gsk.com

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/


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About GlaxoSmithKline

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GlaxoSmithKline is a globally recognized pharmaceutical and healthcare company based in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Originated from a merger between Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham in 2000, the company excels in the pharmaceutical industry and holds a leading position in making medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. GSK's mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. They adhere to core values of transparency, integrity, respect for people, and patient-focus, reflecting in their endeavors to conduct research and deliver innovative healthcare solutions to patients and consumers worldwide.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US