Director of Research Jobs

Explore Director of Research opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted roles paying $100,000 or more. Directors of Research lead teams and programs that turn complex questions into reliable insights, discoveries, and strategic recommendations. Positions span industries including healthcare, biotechnology, technology, finance, academia, and market research.

What Does a Director of Research Do?

A Director of Research sets priorities and guides the design, execution, and communication of research. Depending on the organization, the role may oversee scientific studies, product research, analytics, customer insights, or policy work. Typical responsibilities include managing research teams and budgets, selecting methods and tools, ensuring data quality and ethical practices, and presenting findings to executive stakeholders.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek substantial experience in a relevant research discipline, a record of leading projects or teams, and strong analytical and communication skills. Many roles require an advanced degree, though expectations vary by field. Familiarity with research methods, statistical analysis, data governance, and relevant industry regulations can also be important.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

Director-level research roles offer opportunities to shape organizational strategy, build high-performing teams, and influence decisions through evidence and innovation. Compensation depends on factors such as industry, location, scope, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates explore research leadership opportunities that match their goals.

Find Director of Research Jobs on Ladders

Search Director of Research jobs on Ladders to discover senior opportunities across organizations and industries. Review role requirements, compare positions, and find a research leadership role aligned with your expertise and career plans.

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$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advancing clinical research by managing trials, ensuring compliance, and driving innovation within a multidisciplinary team to enhance patient care and safety...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$214K - $343K *

Champion innovative research initiatives by leading a dynamic team, overseeing project execution, and enhancing collaboration across divisions while ensuring quality and compliance in a fast-paced env...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Transform the future of Oncology by driving global insights and competitive intelligence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence asset development and strategic decisions, ensuring timel...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in managing research data acquisition and compliance, overseeing vendor relationships and contract negotiations. Collaborate with faculty and stakeholders to ensure efficient data gove...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$179K - $235K *

Champion scientific operations by supporting research initiatives and managing data workflows. Collaborate across teams to ensure accurate materials for leadership, enhance operational efficiency, and...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $210K *

Lead a dynamic Quality Control Analytics team, ensuring timely testing and results for GxP manufacturing. Collaborate on process evaluations, drive continuous improvement, and foster a strong quality...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$102K - $164K *

Shape the future of genomics by leading R&D efforts in advanced cancer research technologies, mentoring a skilled team, and transforming innovative assays into high-throughput solutions to accelerate...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $235K *

Lead the charge in managing client-facing SaaS products on AWS, ensuring operational excellence, security compliance, and performance optimization while overseeing a dedicated team. Drive innovation a...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Elevate operational excellence by leading end-to-end management of client-facing AWS SaaS products, ensuring security, compliance, and optimization while directly engaging in architecture and support...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Drive product excellence by owning the lifecycle and security of high-performance client SaaS platforms hosted on AWS. Lead a dedicated team to optimize operations, ensure compliance, and deliver seam...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Join a team that's committed to optimizing and securing our AWS-hosted SaaS platforms, ensuring compliance and performance. Take on hands-on leadership in architecture, operations, and product reliabi...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $235K *

Drive the management, operation, and security of client-facing SaaS products hosted on AWS. Be a hands-on leader, ensuring platform performance, compliance, and continuous product improvement while su...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $170K *

Shape the success of enterprise health systems by leading full implementations. Collaborate cross-functionally to manage project lifecycles, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth transitions to customer s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Drive innovation by tackling complex engineering challenges from concept to execution. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create cutting-edge robotic solutions that enhance everyday life, blending res...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform innovative ideas into functional prototypes by blending research and engineering. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle diverse challenges, from motion to sensing, ensuring solutions are...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$127K - $165K *

Join a team that's dedicated to fostering a supportive community for AI researchers. As a Community Manager, you'll build relationships, enhance fellow experiences, and collaborate with teams to ensur...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$103K - $130K *

Explore a leadership role in data engineering, driving successful implementations for partner campuses. Leverage your technical expertise and people management skills to establish robust data integrat...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$500K+*

Unlock potential by leading an applied research team, setting priorities, and driving hands-on AI projects. Collaborate with customer labs to enhance model capabilities and deliver impactful research...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$200K - $225K *

Lead the charge in advancing Protein Sciences by developing high-quality proteins and therapeutic conjugates. Guide a dynamic team and integrate cutting-edge technologies to streamline processes while...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $165K *

Elevate project management excellence by leading complex pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, mentoring teams, and ensuring strategic alignment with client objectives while driving operational success...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$248K - $310K *

Join a dynamic team to drive advanced AI solutions in drug discovery and clinical operations. Lead a team while hands-on coding and deploying AI applications, ensuring a seamless bridge between techno...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $130K *

Lead the charge in clinical trial monitoring, ensuring compliance and quality through oversight, guidance, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance site performance and study execution...

Boston, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $135K *

Shape the future of clinical trials by leading site monitoring efforts, ensuring compliance, and fostering collaboration across teams. Drive quality and efficiency in trial execution while mentoring j...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $130K *

Elevate clinical trial success by overseeing site monitoring, ensuring compliance, and providing leadership. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address site issues, enhance recruitment, and ma...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $130K *

Accelerate clinical trial success by leading site monitoring efforts, ensuring compliance, and providing expert guidance to the CRA team. Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve issues and enhance s...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Research do?question toggle

    A Director of Research leads research strategy and execution, manages teams and resources, ensures the quality and integrity of findings, and communicates results to decision-makers. Specific responsibilities vary by industry and organization.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Director of Research jobs?question toggle

    Requirements often include deep experience in a relevant research field and a history of managing projects or teams. An advanced degree is common in some scientific and academic roles, while other employers prioritize equivalent industry expertise.

  • How much do Director of Research jobs pay?question toggle

    Pay varies by industry, location, employer, and role scope. Ladders lists vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including eligible Director of Research opportunities.

  • Where can Directors of Research work?question toggle

    Directors of Research work across fields such as biotechnology, healthcare, technology, finance, academia, government, and market research.

  • How can I find Director of Research jobs?question toggle

    Browse Director of Research listings on Ladders, review the qualifications and responsibilities for each position, and apply to roles that fit your experience and career goals.