How Much Does a Senior Scientist Make?

Senior scientist is an important role that exists within most life science companies. It's typically a leadership role that can involve managing a team of scientists and/or liaising with various other departments within the business (such as engineering, quality management and sales).

A senior scientist is usually an expert in their field with years of relevant work experience.

Are you an experienced scientist looking for a new challenge? In this job profile, we'll outline the responsibilities and rewards that come with being a senior scientist in the life sciences sector.

 

Senior scientist salary

On average, senior scientists in the UK earn up to £50,000 per year depending on the company and their own experience.

 

What does a senior scientist do?

Your duties as a senior scientist will depend quite heavily on the type of company that employs you. On an average working day, you might...

• Lead the planning and implementation of experimental work
• Assign projects to your team members
• Assess the strengths and development needs of your team
• Analyse data to make detailed observations and interpretations
• Present findings to various stakeholders
• Provide scientific strategies to drive results

 

Senior scientist skills and qualifications

When recruiting a senior scientist, hiring managers will be looking for a candidate who fits the following profile:

• Proactive approach
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to work in a cross-functional environment
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple interrelated projects
• Several years of experience in the relevant discipline

Most senior scientist roles will also require you to be degree-qualified in a related field. In some cases, a PhD is also desirable.