Lead Scientist Jobs
Lead Scientist jobs are open across biotech, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and environmental research, at every level from senior scientist to principal and director, with specializations in cell biology, analytical chemistry, and computational modeling. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Description
Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talent on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.
Your Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join Stantec in our Salt Lake City, Utah office (or remotely, living within Utah) as a lead aquatic resources (wetlands, streams) delineator. In this position you will lead wetland and stream delineations, write aquatic resources reports and assist with other natural resources inventories (e.g., botanical surveys, spring/seep monitoring). Additional tasks include support of our environmental team collecting natural resource field data and preparing baseline survey reports. The successful candidate would support projects throughout the Mountain Region, including Utah, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Lead wetland delineations pursuant to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) guidance (e.g. 1987 Manual, Regional Supplements) and stream delineations and determinations based on regional ordinary high-water mark guidelines and stream flow assessment protocols
- Collect, handle, and store field data and safety records as prescribed by the project management team
- Write aquatic resources delineation reports in support of Clean Water Act and/or state permitting
- Assist with permit applications
- Assist with proposal development and field team leadership
- Map and assess vegetation communities and habitat quality
- Conduct or assist in spring and seep monitoring
- Work in a variety of sectors including renewable energy, electrical transmission, mining, transportation, and oil & gas
- Work closely with a team of Project Managers and natural resource scientists
Qualifications
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Must be an experienced lead delineator in the arid and/or mountain west
- Must be comfortable with field work in mountainous and desert terrains, often remotely
- Proven and demonstrated high quality data collection and attention to detail
- Must be comfortable with computers and programs (e.g., Microsoft Word), technical report writing, and sub-meter GPS units and software (ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey 123, etc.)
- Communicate effectively and function as part of a team
- An interest in ecosystems, natural resources, and the outdoors is essential
- Complete field work with consideration to your own and the team's safety
- Able to work independently as well as part of a team
- Able and willing to travel regionally with overnight stays (often for multiple consecutive nights) as needed
- Good driving record and valid driver’s license required
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wetland science, soil science, botany, or related field with demonstrated experience with plant, soil, hydrology, and wetland and stream identification and characterization in the western United States
Must have 4+ years of field experience delineating wetlands according to USACE 1987 Manual and the corresponding Regional Supplements
Experience identifying plants of the arid and mountain west
Preferred qualifications for this position include Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification, Professional Soil Scientist (PSS), or other aquatic resource or botany credentials
Willingness to travel, including multiple-day overnight travel, which is required for this position
This position relies heavily on traveling to project sites throughout the region.
- Travel during the field season (typically April through September) may be upwards of 80 – 90% of working hours. Travel expenses are covered and are not the responsibility of staff
- Office-based work such as proposal development and report writing experience and proficiency will influence that ratio of travel to office-based work
Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather and challenging terrain. Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.
Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
About Stantec
Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.
\#StayInquisitive
Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | UT | Salt Lake City
Other Locations: United States | UT | Clearfield
Organization: BC-2037 EnvSvcs-US Mountain
Employee Status: Regular
Management Level: Individual contributor
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 10/11/2026 06:11:51
Req ID: 1008821
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
Description
Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talent on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.
Your Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join Stantec in our Salt Lake City, Utah office (or remotely, living within Utah) as a lead aquatic resources (wetlands, streams) delineator. In this position you will lead wetland and stream delineations, write aquatic resources reports and assist with other natural resources inventories (e.g., botanical surveys, spring/seep monitoring). Additional tasks include support of our environmental team collecting natural resource field data and preparing baseline survey reports. The successful candidate would support projects throughout the Mountain Region, including Utah, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Lead wetland delineations pursuant to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) guidance (e.g. 1987 Manual, Regional Supplements) and stream delineations and determinations based on regional ordinary high-water mark guidelines and stream flow assessment protocols
- Collect, handle, and store field data and safety records as prescribed by the project management team
- Write aquatic resources delineation reports in support of Clean Water Act and/or state permitting
- Assist with permit applications
- Assist with proposal development and field team leadership
- Map and assess vegetation communities and habitat quality
- Conduct or assist in spring and seep monitoring
- Work in a variety of sectors including renewable energy, electrical transmission, mining, transportation, and oil & gas
- Work closely with a team of Project Managers and natural resource scientists
Qualifications
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Must be an experienced lead delineator in the arid and/or mountain west
- Must be comfortable with field work in mountainous and desert terrains, often remotely
- Proven and demonstrated high quality data collection and attention to detail
- Must be comfortable with computers and programs (e.g., Microsoft Word), technical report writing, and sub-meter GPS units and software (ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey 123, etc.)
- Communicate effectively and function as part of a team
- An interest in ecosystems, natural resources, and the outdoors is essential
- Complete field work with consideration to your own and the team's safety
- Able to work independently as well as part of a team
- Able and willing to travel regionally with overnight stays (often for multiple consecutive nights) as needed
- Good driving record and valid driver’s license required
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wetland science, soil science, botany, or related field with demonstrated experience with plant, soil, hydrology, and wetland and stream identification and characterization in the western United States
Must have 4+ years of field experience delineating wetlands according to USACE 1987 Manual and the corresponding Regional Supplements
Experience identifying plants of the arid and mountain west
Preferred qualifications for this position include Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification, Professional Soil Scientist (PSS), or other aquatic resource or botany credentials
Willingness to travel, including multiple-day overnight travel, which is required for this position
This position relies heavily on traveling to project sites throughout the region.
- Travel during the field season (typically April through September) may be upwards of 80 – 90% of working hours. Travel expenses are covered and are not the responsibility of staff
- Office-based work such as proposal development and report writing experience and proficiency will influence that ratio of travel to office-based work
Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather and challenging terrain. Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.
Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
About Stantec
Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.
\#StayInquisitive
Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | UT | Salt Lake City
Other Locations: United States | UT | Clearfield
Organization: BC-2037 EnvSvcs-US Mountain
Employee Status: Regular
Management Level: Individual contributor
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 10/11/2026 06:11:51
Req ID: 1008821
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
See All 299+ Lead Scientist Jobs
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Find Lead Scientist JobsLead Scientist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- JPMorganChase10
- Quest Diagnostics9
- CVS Health7
- Merck6
- TikTok6
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services11
- Technology & Software7
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Banking & Financial Services4
- Consulting & Professional Services4
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead scientist jobs.
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry
- Five or more years of hands-on laboratory or applied research experience
- Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring a team of research scientists
- Proficiency with industry-standard analytical instruments and data analysis software
- Experience authoring scientific publications, patents, or regulatory submissions
- Familiarity with GLP, GMP, or other applicable compliance and quality frameworks
Tips for Your Lead Scientist Job Search
Quantify your research impact clearly
Lead scientist resumes that land interviews show outcomes, not just methods. Replace 'conducted experiments' with specific results: compounds advanced to clinical stage, assay throughput improved, patents filed. Hiring managers need to see that your science moved something forward.
Highlight cross-functional leadership explicitly
Many lead scientist roles require managing junior scientists and collaborating with regulatory, manufacturing, or commercial teams. If you've done this, call it out in a dedicated section rather than burying it inside a project description.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead scientist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by research stage
Filter openings by whether the company is in discovery, preclinical, or late-stage development. Your experience fits differently at each stage, and tailoring your application to match the company's pipeline phase shows you understand where you'd add the most value.
Prepare a technical presentation before interviews
Most lead scientist interviews include a research seminar or chalk-talk. Practice explaining a past project to a mixed audience of scientists and non-scientists. The ability to hold the room across both groups is what separates candidates at this level.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
When you receive an offer, clarify what resources come with the role: headcount, budget authority, lab infrastructure, and publication rights. These determine whether you can actually do the work you're being hired for, and they're easier to negotiate before you sign.
Lead Scientist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead scientists?
The companies hiring the most lead scientists right now include JPMorganChase, Quest Diagnostics, and CVS Health, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pharmaceutical and biotech firms consistently account for the largest share of open roles at this level.
How many lead scientist jobs are remote?
About 59% of lead scientist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies sharply by specialization. Computational, bioinformatics, and data-heavy roles are most likely to allow remote work, while wet-lab and instrumentation-dependent positions almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a lead scientist?
Most lead scientists start with a doctoral degree in a core scientific discipline, then spend several years as a staff or senior scientist building deep technical expertise and a publication or patent record. From there, the path to lead typically runs through visible project ownership, mentoring junior colleagues, and demonstrating that you can drive a research program rather than just execute within one.
Can you get hired as a lead scientist without direct experience at that level?
It's possible if you can show that your senior scientist work already included lead-level responsibilities such as directing experiments for others, owning a program milestone, or interfacing with cross-functional stakeholders. Reframe your resume around those moments explicitly, and target companies where the lead role is a promotion path rather than a lateral hire from an established program.
What does the lead scientist interview process look like?
Most lead scientist interview processes include an initial screening with a talent or HR contact, followed by a technical phone or video interview with the hiring manager, a research presentation or seminar delivered to the broader science team, and a panel day with cross-functional stakeholders including regulatory, manufacturing, or commercial colleagues. References and a written offer typically follow the final panel.
Where can I find and apply to lead scientist jobs?
You can find and apply to lead scientist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and research focus, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 299+ Lead Scientist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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