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What does a chief scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

Chief scientists supervise, plan, and budget the funds for research activities to publish their discoveries with influential publication companies. By doing commentaries with the press and media, they spread their knowledge about science to the public. They are mentors or coaches to non-professional scientists and help them build a case to get their promotion. For their subordinates to feel motivated to reach their goals when working on research projects, chief scientists must maintain a professional, creative, but engaging environment.

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Chief scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real chief scientist resumes:

  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
  • Conduct research and analyze data to identify potential biomarkers and provide input for selection of candidates for non-clinical studies development.
  • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Chief scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Chief Scientists are proficient in DOD, RF, and IC.

We break down the percentage of Chief Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • DOD, 12%

    Deliver technical briefings and updates to customer and partner representatives at senior levels, including a DOD Under-Secretary.

  • RF, 11%

    Developed numerous key electronic modules, including RF systems and integrated antenna components, to the main product line.

  • IC, 7%

    Interfaced with IC Design House.

  • R, 6%

    Designed R-statistical algorithms and wrote R codes to develop numerical regression.

  • Strategic Plan, 5%

    Led strategic planning efforts for 3,000-person organization.

  • Technical Direction, 5%

    Provide technical direction for internal and external research.

Most chief scientists use their skills in "dod," "rf," and "ic" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential chief scientist responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a chief scientist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a chief scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "participated in method transfers of new products with akzo nobel served as qc representative on employee communication committee"

Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling chief scientist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." According to a chief scientist resume, here's how chief scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "coordinated and performed commercial release testing of marketed product at manufacturing site in qc environment to address fda audit observations"

All chief scientist skills

The three companies that hire the most chief scientists are:

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Compare different chief scientists

Chief scientist vs. Doctoral fellow

A doctoral fellow is a physician that has completed studies and receives a fellowship to cover his/her or her expenses while completing his/her or her medical dissertation. A doctor fellow undergoes this fellowship to get additional training for their chosen sub-specialty. During the fellowship period, a fellow can act as an attending physician or consultant physician with other physicians' direct supervision in the sub-specialty field.

If we compare the average chief scientist annual salary with that of a doctoral fellow, we find that doctoral fellows typically earn a $54,680 lower salary than chief scientists make annually.Even though chief scientists and doctoral fellows are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require r, research projects, and python in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a chief scientist are more likely to require skills like "dod," "rf," "ic," and "strategic plan." On the other hand, a job as a doctoral fellow requires skills like "patients," "cell culture," "cell biology," and "immunology." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Doctoral fellows really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $67,423. Comparatively, chief scientists tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $111,634.On average, doctoral fellows reach similar levels of education than chief scientists. Doctoral fellows are 3.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 20.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Chief scientist vs. Fellow

A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.

Fellow positions earn lower pay than chief scientist roles. They earn a $41,682 lower salary than chief scientists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Chief scientists and fellows both require similar skills like "r," "strategic plan," and "research projects" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, chief scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "dod," "rf," "ic," and "technical direction." Meanwhile, a fellow has duties that require skills in areas such as "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Fellows may earn a lower salary than chief scientists, but fellows earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $67,978. On the other hand, chief scientists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $111,634.fellows earn similar levels of education than chief scientists in general. They're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 20.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Chief scientist vs. Research laboratory manager

Research laboratory managers are management professionals who are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of laboratories by implementing safety lab procedures. These managers are required to coordinate the repair and maintenance of lab equipment while training lab technicians and assistants on the correct use of equipment. They must perform experimental studies and analyze the research data collected for research projects. Research laboratory managers must also manage the inventory of laboratory equipment while coordinating the purchase of lab supplies.

An average research laboratory manager eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of chief scientists. The difference in salaries amounts to research laboratory managers earning a $43,713 lower average salary than chief scientists.chief scientists and research laboratory managers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "r," "research projects," and "fda," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, chief scientists are more likely to have skills like "dod," "rf," "ic," and "strategic plan." But a research laboratory manager is more likely to have skills like "lab equipment," "lab safety," "cell culture," and "patients."

Research laboratory managers earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $70,475. Comparatively, chief scientists have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $111,634.research laboratory managers typically earn similar educational levels compared to chief scientists. Specifically, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 17.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Chief scientist vs. Laboratory researcher

Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.

Laboratory researchers typically earn lower pay than chief scientists. On average, laboratory researchers earn a $80,286 lower salary per year.According to resumes from chief scientists and laboratory researchers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "r," "c++," and "data analysis. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "dod," "rf," "ic," and "strategic plan" are skills that commonly show up on chief scientist resumes. On the other hand, laboratory researchers use skills like lab procedures, cell culture, molecular biology, and pcr on their resumes.The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for laboratory researchers, with average annual pay of $30,412. Comparatively, the highest chief scientist annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of laboratory researchers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to chief scientists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 9.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 22.8%.

Types of chief scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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