Principal Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
Principal Scientist jobs in North Carolina are concentrated in the Research Triangle's life sciences and pharmaceutical corridor, with strong demand running from senior scientist through distinguished-level roles at major R&D centers. Raleigh-Durham, Cary, and Morrisville anchor most of the hiring, where employers like Biogen, Novo Nordisk, and GlaxoSmithKline have long-established operations. The most in-demand specializations are oncology drug development, genomics, and computational biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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What You'll Do
Lead in the development and testing of hypotheses across all functional data sets
Lead requirements gathering sessions with business and technical staff to distill technical requirement from business requests
Define and implement integrated data models, allowing integration of data from multiple sources
Design and develop scalable, efficient data pipeline processes to handle data ingestion, cleansing, transformation, integration, and validation
Define and implement data stores based on system requirements and consumer requirements
Design and develop models to understand and solve multiple complex business solutions using a variety of methods including data mining, statistical analysis, predictive modeling and analysis, stochastic modeling, pattern recognition, probability analysis, and network analysis
Design and implement production models leveraging technologies such Python, and R
Leverage existing data sets and engineer new data sets including development of SQL queries, data integration and resolution of data quality issues
Apply advanced conceptual understanding of Big Data systems to data set engineering and analytic model implementation
Lead development and reviews of complex analytic models and algorithms
Identify actionable insights, suggest recommendations, and influence business direction by effectively communicating results to cross functional groups
Document and test analytic processes including performance and thorough data validation and verification
- Engage with enterprise business areas to incorporate feedback into audit process including but not limited to Payment Integrity, SIU, Provider, Behavioral Health, Med Policy, Claims, Pharmacy
- Articulate analytic methods and drive business outcomes with responsible business areas
- Consult with executive level leadership across the organization – with responsibility to drive CoC ideation for Commercial and Medicare
- Informally lead other analysts and synthesize information and make recommendations to executive leadership
Bachelor's degree or advanced degree (where required)
8+ years of experience in related field.
In lieu of degree, 10+ years of experience in related field.
Strong Analytic/Data Science skills:
Experience with Snowflake
Experience building AI Agents
Understand Bell curve analysis
Incorporate Industry benchmarks into analysis
Perform outlier detection
Strong healthcare experience with Payment Integrity/FWA business knowledge is required
understanding of FWA concepts, CMS guidelines, Medical/Reimbursement Policy are all strongly preferred
Salary Range
At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market-price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus*, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs.
- Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance.
$143,616.00 - $229,786.00
Skills
Big Data, Complex Data Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Engineering, Data Mining, Data Modeling Techniques, Data Science, Data Visualization, Machine Learning (ML), Predictive Analytics, Predictive Modeling, Python (Programming Language), Statistical Analysis, Statistical Models
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JOB ALERT FRAUD: We have become aware of scams from individuals, organizations, and internet sites claiming to represent Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in recruitment activities in return for disclosing financial information. Our hiring process does not include text-based conversations or interviews and never requires payment or fees from job applicants. All our career opportunities are published on https://bcbsnc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/BCBSNC. If you have already provided your personal information that you suspect is fraudulent activity, please report it to your local authorities. Any fraudulent activity should be reported to: HR.Staffing@BCBSNC.com.
See All 5 Principal Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Principal Scientist JobsPrincipal Scientist Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Scientist Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal scientist jobs across North Carolina.
- PhD in biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or a closely related scientific discipline
- Minimum of eight years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D settings
- Demonstrated ability to independently design and lead multi-year research programs
- Experience with IND-enabling studies and regulatory submission packages
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software such as SAS, R, or Python
- Strong publication record or patent portfolio in a relevant therapeutic area
Principal Scientist Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal scientist in North Carolina?
Principal scientist roles in North Carolina do not require a state-issued license, but most employers in the Research Triangle expect a PhD in a life sciences or chemical discipline followed by several years of progressive industry experience. Candidates who complete postdoctoral work at North Carolina institutions such as Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, or NC State gain direct exposure to the regional employer network. Demonstrated independent research contributions, such as first-author publications or patent filings, are the most reliable path to a first principal scientist appointment.
Which companies hire principal scientists in North Carolina?
Employers hiring principal scientists in North Carolina right now include RELX, Geosyntec Consultants, and Pace Analytical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's Research Triangle Park is one of the densest clusters of pharmaceutical and biotech R&D infrastructure in the country, which keeps hiring activity for senior scientists consistently high across the region.
Which North Carolina cities have the most principal scientist jobs?
Raleigh, North Carolina, and Morrisville account for the largest share of principal scientist openings in North Carolina. The Raleigh-Durham metro drives most of the volume because Research Triangle Park sits between the two cities and houses dozens of pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract research organizations, while smaller surrounding communities like Cary and Morrisville host satellite campuses and clinical operations for many of the same employers.
Are there remote principal scientist jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical fields because principal scientist work in North Carolina's pharma and biotech sector often involves laboratory oversight, cross-functional team leadership, and hands-on experimental design. About 100% of principal scientist openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those that are tend to cover computational roles, bioinformatics, or regulatory science functions that do not require daily bench access.
How can I get hired as a principal scientist in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a postdoctoral fellowship at a North Carolina research university or directly within an industry lab, then moving into a scientist or senior scientist role before advancing to principal level. Biogen and Novo Nordisk both run structured early-career and postdoctoral programs at their North Carolina sites. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles such as research scientist, associate director of research, or clinical research scientist at contract research organizations in the Triangle can also move laterally into principal scientist tracks once they build therapeutic-area depth.
Where can I find and apply to principal scientist jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to principal scientist jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly.
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