How To Become A Lead Scientist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a lead scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Betsy Smith,

Chandralekha Singh

Lead scientists lead a team of scientists in research and experiments relating to a particular project. They are answerable to other scientific executives within that organization for the results of their team.

Some of the functions that they perform in this capacity include setting goals and objectives for the team, delegating tasks, establishing guidelines and parameters within which to operate, overseeing progress and performance of the team, and liaising with clients and external parties. Essential skills required for the position include leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, budgeting, and organizational. Educational requirements include a bachelor's degree in medical sciences or a related field; although, a master's degree along with a doctoral degree is more preferable for the position. Prior experience in a similar position is also desirable.

The average hourly pay for a lead scientist is $25.88, which amounts to $104,234 annually. The career is expected to grow in the coming years and create new job opportunities across the United States.

What general advice would you give to a lead scientist?

Dr. Betsy Smith

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College

I would advise students just graduating to be flexible and open-minded in their job search. Chemistry is a challenging major, and students who succeed in it have learned how to learn, so they shouldn't assume that pure chemistry is the only thing they can do. One growing field is biomedical research, and chemistry majors are often qualified for jobs in that area. If you have other strengths, like writing, there are often jobs that can combine them as a technical writer or work for a science journal. There are jobs out there that might be perfect for you that you haven't heard of until you see an ad for it, so be open to different possibilities.

ScoreLead ScientistUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $110,028

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 26.52%

Black or African American 6.22%

Hispanic or Latino 9.41%

Unknown 4.05%

White 53.65%

Gender

female 29.09%

male 70.91%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a lead scientist

Explore lead scientist education requirements

Most common lead scientist degrees

Bachelor's

51.7 %

Doctorate

29.6 %

Master's

16.7 %

Start to develop specific lead scientist skills

Skills	Percentages
C++	7.32%
Java	6.43%
Data Analysis	5.43%
GMP	5.28%
Method Development	4.17%

Complete relevant lead scientist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead scientists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead scientist resumes.

Research lead scientist duties and responsibilities

Manage cell culture facility transition to GLP compliance.
Develop reagents for ELISA methods and manage regulatory aspects of vaccine potency assays with the USDA/EMEA.
Manage pediatric dose development project, technology transfer project and alternate API supplier qualification project on budget and on schedule
Engage in ELISA base in vitro vaccine potency assay development.

Get lead scientist experience

Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a lead scientist. The most common roles before becoming a lead scientist include research assistant, research fellow team lead and scientist.

Prepare your lead scientist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead scientist resume.

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