Principal Scientist Jobs in Delaware

Principal Scientist jobs in Delaware are concentrated in pharmaceutical research and development, specialty chemicals, and agricultural science, with the state's life sciences corridor anchoring most of the demand at a senior level. Wilmington, Newark, and the Rt. 141 research corridor near Stanton draw the heaviest hiring volume, where companies like Corteva Agriscience, AstraZeneca, and Incyte maintain long-established R&D operations. The most sought-after specialties are computational chemistry, formulation science, and oncology biologics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles48
Top employerLANXESS
Top cityWilmington, DE
Cities hiring8
Work type100% On-site
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 48+ Principal Scientist jobs

Nemours Children's Health
Assistant Research Scientist
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Nemours Children's Health
New 1m ago
Assistant Research Scientist
Nemours Children's Health
Wilmington, Delaware
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Research & Academia
5,001-10,000

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Croda
Lead Research Scientist-Crop Protection
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Croda
New 1m ago
Lead Research Scientist-Crop Protection
Croda
New Castle, Delaware
Business Development
Business Strategy
Partnerships & Business Development
Doctoral degree in chemistry
5,001-10,000

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LANXESS
Associate Scientist
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LANXESS
New 1m ago
Associate Scientist
LANXESS
Wilmington, Delaware
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$75k - $124k/yr
Master's degree in microbiology
10,000+

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IFF
Formulation Scientist
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IFF
New 1m ago
Formulation Scientist
IFF
Wilmington, Delaware
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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JPMorganChase
Data Scientist Executive Director - Card Data & Analytics, Customer & Strategic Analytics
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JPMorganChase
New 1m ago
Data Scientist Executive Director - Card Data & Analytics, Customer & Strategic Analytics
JPMorganChase
Wilmington, Delaware
Business Analysis
Data Analytics
Project Management
$204k - $285k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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See All 48 Principal Scientist Jobs in Delaware

Find roles in Delaware that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Principal Scientist Jobs by City in Delaware

Where Delaware roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Newark
9 jobs
Dover
5 jobs
Lewes
2 jobs
New Castle
2 jobs
Rehoboth Beach
2 jobs
Milford
1 job
Greenwood
1 job

Principal Scientist Job Market in Delaware

A snapshot from current Delaware openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • LANXESS
    LANXESS6
  • Bayhealth
    Bayhealth5
  • JPMorganChase
    JPMorganChase4
  • Incyte Corporation
    Incyte Corporation4
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
    Thermo Fisher Scientific4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials12
  • Healthcare & Medical Services10
  • Science & Research6
  • Fintech4
  • Banking & Financial Services4

What Delaware Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in principal scientist jobs across Delaware.

  • Ph.D. in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related life science field
  • Eight or more years of industry R&D experience in pharmaceutical or chemical sectors
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional project teams and mentor junior scientists
  • Deep expertise in one or more of: formulation science, analytical chemistry, or molecular biology
  • Experience authoring regulatory submissions, technical reports, or peer-reviewed publications
  • Proficiency with laboratory informatics platforms and data analysis software used in GMP environments

Principal Scientist Jobs in Delaware: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a principal scientist in Delaware?

Reaching a principal scientist role in Delaware typically requires a doctoral degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a related field followed by progressive industry experience in R&D. Delaware does not issue a state-specific license for research scientists, so advancement depends on publication record, project leadership, and demonstrated technical depth. The state's concentration of pharmaceutical and agriscience employers means candidates who build expertise in regulated research environments, particularly GMP or GLP settings, are best positioned for principal-level roles.

Which companies hire principal scientists in Delaware?

Companies currently hiring principal scientists in Delaware include LANXESS, Bayhealth, and JPMorganChase, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Delaware's dense cluster of pharmaceutical, agricultural, and specialty chemical headquarters means principal scientist demand is sustained year-round rather than tied to seasonal hiring cycles.

Which Delaware cities have the most principal scientist jobs?

Wilmington, Newark, and Dover account for the largest share of principal scientist openings in Delaware. Wilmington and Newark drive most of the volume due to the presence of major pharmaceutical and agriscience R&D campuses, while smaller communities along the Rt. 141 corridor benefit from proximity to those same anchor employers and their supplier networks.

Are there remote principal scientist jobs in Delaware?

Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of principal scientist openings tied to Delaware are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the hands-on laboratory nature of most research roles. The portions of the work most likely to be done remotely are computational modeling, data analysis, regulatory writing, and project management responsibilities rather than bench or formulation activities.

How can I get hired as a principal scientist in Delaware with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral research position at a Delaware-based pharmaceutical or agriscience company, which is the primary bridge between academic training and an industry scientist title. Companies like Corteva and AstraZeneca run structured postdoc and early-career scientist programs that place candidates in project teams. Candidates moving from adjacent roles such as research scientist, associate scientist, or analytical chemist are strong lateral fits, and experience in a GMP or GLP environment accelerates the transition considerably.

Where can I find and apply to principal scientist jobs in Delaware?

You can find and apply to principal scientist jobs in Delaware on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's pharmaceutical, chemical, and agriscience sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 48 Principal Scientist Jobs in Delaware

Find roles in Delaware that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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