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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$224K - $284K *

Transform clinical data management by overseeing data systems and projects. Collaborate across departments to enhance trial execution and implement innovative technologies, ensuring efficient processe...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $280K *

Champion strategic partnerships by leading program execution and integration of AI technologies across defense systems, ensuring alignment and demand generation for mission-critical capabilities...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $220K *

Pioneer advancements in clinical research and treatment for mood disorders. Lead a state-of-the-art brain stimulation program, utilizing innovative techniques to provide effective solutions for patien...

Reposted yesterday

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

$200K - $250K *

Lead transformative production initiatives, enhancing workflow efficiency and quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet customer needs while driving continuous improvement and operation...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's committed to operational excellence and innovation. You will lead the operations function to design scalable systems and drive cross-functional success, ensuring the company thrives...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by driving operational excellence across functions, leading the operations team, and building scalable processes for rapid growth. Ensure cohesion in a complex environment, empowering...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform administrative oversight and program management at a leading institute. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance outreach, support faculty initiatives, and drive impactful programming while...

2 weeks ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by leading innovative research in advanced experimental systems. Collaborate across disciplines to drive impactful studies and ensure project alignment with strategic goals in a dy...

2 weeks ago

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

$220K - $240K *

Empower analytical advancement for AAV-based gene editing initiatives, steering method development and validation through clinical and regulatory landscapes while leading a high-performing team to ens...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Engage in a pivotal role driving clinical science strategy, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and execute clinical studies, ensuring patient safety and data integrity while mentoring...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Lead the charge in clinical science strategy, partnering with Medical Directors to design impactful studies, ensuring patient safety and data integrity while mentoring junior colleagues and driving pr...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Deliver clinical science strategy and lead studies in genetics medicine, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure patient safety and data integrity while mentoring junior colleagues and dri...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $160K *

Engineer cutting-edge healthcare AI models, optimizing user experience and efficiency. Lead impactful initiatives, collaborating with peers to enhance core platform functionalities while ensuring high...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic research team, ensuring compliance, and driving successful clinical trials from initiation to closeout while fostering collaboration with sponsors and staff...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$262K - $284K *

Optimize pediatric drug development strategies as a clinical pharmacology leader, overseeing pharmacometric analyses and regulatory submissions, while translating complex data into actionable decision...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at financial operations by leading budgeting, analysis, and systems integration. Drive improvements and deliver tailored solutions to enhance organizational efficiency and support...

2 days ago

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

$265K - $445K *

Redefine the intersection of wet-lab biology and machine learning by leading innovative experimental systems that enhance model training and validation. Drive scientific progress through strategic par...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$305K - $392K *

Optimize closed-loop experimental systems to enhance ML-driven biology models, leveraging deep expertise in wet-lab and computational workflows. Drive innovation and collaboration across multidiscipli...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $102K *

Champion clinical research initiatives by overseeing complex studies, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with diverse teams to enhance patient care and research outcomes in the Emergency Medicine...

Reposted 6 days ago

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

$130K - $155K *

Innovate computational methods to advance drug design for disordered proteins. Collaborate with scientists to create machine learning architectures that enhance protein modeling and small molecule int...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$247K - $317K *

Shape the future of patient safety by leading pharmacovigilance efforts, ensuring the robust analysis of safety data, and driving strategic initiatives for new drug therapies while collaborating with...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $163K *

Shape the future of labor relations by directing negotiation, implementation, and administration of labor agreements while ensuring compliance with policies and safety procedures. Lead a dedicated tea...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$260K - $290K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI across the enterprise, driving strategy, governance, and adoption. Your expertise will empower missions and enhance national security through innovative AI...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$89K - $123K *

Innovate operational delivery for early-phase clinical studies by managing vendor collaborations, ensuring compliance, and integrating protocols. Drive project management to deliver high-quality resul...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Advance your career by managing and promoting clinical and basic research trials across multiple departments. Oversee operations, compliance, and financial management while supporting staff and enhanc...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.