Chief Research Officer Jobs
Chief Research Officer jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, academia, technology, and government, from senior director to executive level, with specializations in clinical research, translational science, and research strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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106100 R&D AdminLocation:
San DiegoBe a part of a global team that is inspired to make a difference in the lives of people living with rare disease.
At Travere Therapeutics, we recognize that our exceptional employees are vital to our success. We are a dedicated team focused on meeting the unique needs of rare patients. Our work is rewarding – both professionally and personally – because we are making a difference. We are passionate about what we do.
We are seeking talented individuals who will thrive in our collaborative, diverse, fast-paced environment and share in our mission – to identify, develop and deliver life-changing therapies to people living with rare disease. We stick by our values centered on patients, courage, community, and collaboration to pursue our vision of becoming a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the delivery of innovation and hope to patients in the global rare disease community.
At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We continue to courageously forge new paths as we move toward a common goal of elevating science and service for rare patients .
Position Summary:
The Chief Research Officer (CRO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer and provides enterprise leadership for Research, Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies, Clinical Pharmacology, and Biometrics. Through the leaders of these functions, the CRO connects early scientific work with rigorous clinical execution and high-quality evidence generation across Travere’s rare disease portfolio.
The CRO helps shape the long-term research agenda and pipeline strategy, assesses external innovation, and makes recommendations on scientific opportunity, development feasibility, investment, and risk. The role builds strong functional leaders and an effective organization while working closely with Clinical Development and Safety, Regulatory and Quality, Medical Affairs, Business Development, Program Management, Commercial, and Technical Operations. The CRO is accountable for the performance and budgets of the functions in the role’s remit and for their contribution to enterprise priorities.
Responsibilities:
Enterprise, Portfolio, and Organizational Leadership
- Serve as strategic advisor to the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, CEO, and Board on research direction, development execution, evidence generation, portfolio choices, and organizational capabilities.
- Integrate scientific, clinical pharmacology, statistical, and operational perspectives into portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, development plans, lifecycle opportunities, and business development assessments.
- Lead scientific and translational due diligence for licensing, acquisitions, research collaborations, targets, and platform opportunities in partnership with Business Development, Clinical Development, and Technical Operations.
- Identify emerging science, technology, and academic collaboration opportunities that can strengthen Travere’s rare kidney and metabolic disease pipeline; translate selected opportunities into research and development plans.
- Develop leaders, succession plans, capabilities, resource plans, and budgets across the assigned functions; ensure clear decision rights, timely escalation, and disciplined execution across programs.
Research and Translational Science
- Provide strategic direction to the Head of Research for discovery biology, genetics, target selection and validation, translational biology, nonclinical development, biomarkers and assays, and external scientific collaborations.
- Set research priorities and decision criteria that connect disease understanding and preclinical evidence to clinically meaningful hypotheses and future development opportunities.
- Guide the transition from research to clinical development, including nonclinical evidence, biomarker strategy, pharmacology, and readiness for first-in-human evaluation, in partnership with Clinical Development and Regulatory.
- Build an external scientific network of investigators, academic institutions, disease experts, and partners; support the scientific assessment of new therapeutic approaches and technologies.
Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies
- Provide executive oversight of global clinical trial planning and delivery through Clinical Operations leadership, from early studies through registrational and post-approval studies.
- Ensure sound operational plans for country and site selection, feasibility, enrollment, study start-up, monitoring, vendor and CRO oversight, clinical supplies, timelines, budgets, and trial closeout.
- Hold the organization accountable for trial quality, participant experience, data integrity, inspection readiness, and compliance with applicable GCP requirements and company procedures.
- Anticipate execution risks and resolve cross-functional tradeoffs with Clinical Development, Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Technical Operations, and Program Management; maintain clear ownership of trial delivery and supply handoffs.
Clinical Pharmacology
- Lead the clinical pharmacology strategy across programs, including PK/PD, exposure-response, dose and regimen selection, pharmacometrics, drug interactions, human ADME, and pediatric extrapolation where relevant.
- Connect nonclinical DMPK and translational findings to clinical study design, quantitative decision-making, and regulatory submissions in partnership with Research, Clinical Development, Biometrics, Regulatory, and Technical Operations.
- Ensure robust analysis, interpretation, and communication of pharmacology data for protocols, study reports, health authority interactions, submissions, labeling, and lifecycle development.
Biometrics and Evidence Generation
- Provide leadership for biostatistics, statistical programming, and data management, preserving the functional rigor and independent statistical judgment needed for credible evidence.
- Ensure statistical input into study design, endpoints, estimands, analysis plans, interim analyses, data standards, database lock, reporting, and integrated submission datasets.
- Align Biometrics with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Program Management on data quality, interpretation, decision milestones, and evidence needs across the product lifecycle.
Board and External Engagement
- Lead the development of the R&D content and discussion plan for the Board’s Science & Technology Committee meetings, in partnership with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, committee leadership, and relevant functional and program leaders. Integrate program progress, research strategy, scientific opportunities, clinical execution risks, and decisions requiring Board input.
- Present research and development priorities, progress, risks, and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board; ensure materials are clear, balanced, and grounded in evidence.
- Represent Travere with scientific and academic collaborators, key opinion leaders, patient communities, and strategic partners. Support investor or analyst discussions on R&D matters when requested, in coordination with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO and Investor Relations.
Education/Experience Requirements:
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, medical, or quantitative discipline, such as a PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent experience required.
- 17+ years of progressive biotechnology or pharmaceutical leadership experience, including significant rare disease experience is required.
- Substantial leadership experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, including oversight of multiple research and development functions and demonstrated enterprise judgment.
Additional Skills/Experience:
- The ideal candidate will embody Travere’s core values: Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus and Teamwork.
- Driven, intelligent, passionate about making a difference for patients with rare diseases.
- Experience translating scientific opportunity into development programs and integrating research, clinical pharmacology, biometrics, and clinical trial execution in a matrix organization.
- Strong understanding of rare disease drug development, global clinical studies, regulatory evidence requirements, and the scientific and operational risks of a growing pipeline.
- Demonstrated ability to lead senior functional leaders, allocate resources, build teams, evaluate external opportunities, and communicate recommendations to executive and Board audiences.
- Scientific curiosity, sound quantitative judgment, collaborative leadership, and commitment to Travere’s values of Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus, and Teamwork.
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced, confidential, and matrixed environment with shifting priorities and compressed timelines.
- Team player and strong interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent decision-making and collaboration skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require and to perform onsite work in San Diego as required.
Total Rewards Offerings :
Travere provides comprehensive total rewards offerings that demonstrate our commitment as a diverse, equitable, people-centric, and pay-for-performance organization.
Benefits: Our benefits include premium health, financial, work-life and well-being offerings for eligible employees and dependents, wellness and employee support programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with employer match and generous paid time off.
Compensation : Our competitive compensation package includes a combination of both cash compensation (base pay and short-term incentive) and long-term incentive compensation (company stock), designed to recognize, retain, and reward employees.
Target Base Pay Range:
$325,000.00 - $439,000.00- This information is current as of the date of this posting and may be modified in the future. Actual pay offered to a candidate will depend on a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and location.
Travere will accept applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected for the position.
Travere Therapeutics, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Veteran/Disability Employer.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact us by sending an email to accommodations@travere.com . Please note that this email address is to be used exclusively to request an accommodation with the online application, interview or hiring process only. Travere HR will not reply to emails sent to this address for any other reason.
Department:
106100 R&D AdminLocation:
San DiegoBe a part of a global team that is inspired to make a difference in the lives of people living with rare disease.
At Travere Therapeutics, we recognize that our exceptional employees are vital to our success. We are a dedicated team focused on meeting the unique needs of rare patients. Our work is rewarding – both professionally and personally – because we are making a difference. We are passionate about what we do.
We are seeking talented individuals who will thrive in our collaborative, diverse, fast-paced environment and share in our mission – to identify, develop and deliver life-changing therapies to people living with rare disease. We stick by our values centered on patients, courage, community, and collaboration to pursue our vision of becoming a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the delivery of innovation and hope to patients in the global rare disease community.
At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We continue to courageously forge new paths as we move toward a common goal of elevating science and service for rare patients .
Position Summary:
The Chief Research Officer (CRO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer and provides enterprise leadership for Research, Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies, Clinical Pharmacology, and Biometrics. Through the leaders of these functions, the CRO connects early scientific work with rigorous clinical execution and high-quality evidence generation across Travere’s rare disease portfolio.
The CRO helps shape the long-term research agenda and pipeline strategy, assesses external innovation, and makes recommendations on scientific opportunity, development feasibility, investment, and risk. The role builds strong functional leaders and an effective organization while working closely with Clinical Development and Safety, Regulatory and Quality, Medical Affairs, Business Development, Program Management, Commercial, and Technical Operations. The CRO is accountable for the performance and budgets of the functions in the role’s remit and for their contribution to enterprise priorities.
Responsibilities:
Enterprise, Portfolio, and Organizational Leadership
- Serve as strategic advisor to the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, CEO, and Board on research direction, development execution, evidence generation, portfolio choices, and organizational capabilities.
- Integrate scientific, clinical pharmacology, statistical, and operational perspectives into portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, development plans, lifecycle opportunities, and business development assessments.
- Lead scientific and translational due diligence for licensing, acquisitions, research collaborations, targets, and platform opportunities in partnership with Business Development, Clinical Development, and Technical Operations.
- Identify emerging science, technology, and academic collaboration opportunities that can strengthen Travere’s rare kidney and metabolic disease pipeline; translate selected opportunities into research and development plans.
- Develop leaders, succession plans, capabilities, resource plans, and budgets across the assigned functions; ensure clear decision rights, timely escalation, and disciplined execution across programs.
Research and Translational Science
- Provide strategic direction to the Head of Research for discovery biology, genetics, target selection and validation, translational biology, nonclinical development, biomarkers and assays, and external scientific collaborations.
- Set research priorities and decision criteria that connect disease understanding and preclinical evidence to clinically meaningful hypotheses and future development opportunities.
- Guide the transition from research to clinical development, including nonclinical evidence, biomarker strategy, pharmacology, and readiness for first-in-human evaluation, in partnership with Clinical Development and Regulatory.
- Build an external scientific network of investigators, academic institutions, disease experts, and partners; support the scientific assessment of new therapeutic approaches and technologies.
Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies
- Provide executive oversight of global clinical trial planning and delivery through Clinical Operations leadership, from early studies through registrational and post-approval studies.
- Ensure sound operational plans for country and site selection, feasibility, enrollment, study start-up, monitoring, vendor and CRO oversight, clinical supplies, timelines, budgets, and trial closeout.
- Hold the organization accountable for trial quality, participant experience, data integrity, inspection readiness, and compliance with applicable GCP requirements and company procedures.
- Anticipate execution risks and resolve cross-functional tradeoffs with Clinical Development, Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Technical Operations, and Program Management; maintain clear ownership of trial delivery and supply handoffs.
Clinical Pharmacology
- Lead the clinical pharmacology strategy across programs, including PK/PD, exposure-response, dose and regimen selection, pharmacometrics, drug interactions, human ADME, and pediatric extrapolation where relevant.
- Connect nonclinical DMPK and translational findings to clinical study design, quantitative decision-making, and regulatory submissions in partnership with Research, Clinical Development, Biometrics, Regulatory, and Technical Operations.
- Ensure robust analysis, interpretation, and communication of pharmacology data for protocols, study reports, health authority interactions, submissions, labeling, and lifecycle development.
Biometrics and Evidence Generation
- Provide leadership for biostatistics, statistical programming, and data management, preserving the functional rigor and independent statistical judgment needed for credible evidence.
- Ensure statistical input into study design, endpoints, estimands, analysis plans, interim analyses, data standards, database lock, reporting, and integrated submission datasets.
- Align Biometrics with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Program Management on data quality, interpretation, decision milestones, and evidence needs across the product lifecycle.
Board and External Engagement
- Lead the development of the R&D content and discussion plan for the Board’s Science & Technology Committee meetings, in partnership with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, committee leadership, and relevant functional and program leaders. Integrate program progress, research strategy, scientific opportunities, clinical execution risks, and decisions requiring Board input.
- Present research and development priorities, progress, risks, and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board; ensure materials are clear, balanced, and grounded in evidence.
- Represent Travere with scientific and academic collaborators, key opinion leaders, patient communities, and strategic partners. Support investor or analyst discussions on R&D matters when requested, in coordination with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO and Investor Relations.
Education/Experience Requirements:
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, medical, or quantitative discipline, such as a PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent experience required.
- 17+ years of progressive biotechnology or pharmaceutical leadership experience, including significant rare disease experience is required.
- Substantial leadership experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, including oversight of multiple research and development functions and demonstrated enterprise judgment.
Additional Skills/Experience:
- The ideal candidate will embody Travere’s core values: Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus and Teamwork.
- Driven, intelligent, passionate about making a difference for patients with rare diseases.
- Experience translating scientific opportunity into development programs and integrating research, clinical pharmacology, biometrics, and clinical trial execution in a matrix organization.
- Strong understanding of rare disease drug development, global clinical studies, regulatory evidence requirements, and the scientific and operational risks of a growing pipeline.
- Demonstrated ability to lead senior functional leaders, allocate resources, build teams, evaluate external opportunities, and communicate recommendations to executive and Board audiences.
- Scientific curiosity, sound quantitative judgment, collaborative leadership, and commitment to Travere’s values of Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus, and Teamwork.
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced, confidential, and matrixed environment with shifting priorities and compressed timelines.
- Team player and strong interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent decision-making and collaboration skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require and to perform onsite work in San Diego as required.
Total Rewards Offerings :
Travere provides comprehensive total rewards offerings that demonstrate our commitment as a diverse, equitable, people-centric, and pay-for-performance organization.
Benefits: Our benefits include premium health, financial, work-life and well-being offerings for eligible employees and dependents, wellness and employee support programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with employer match and generous paid time off.
Compensation : Our competitive compensation package includes a combination of both cash compensation (base pay and short-term incentive) and long-term incentive compensation (company stock), designed to recognize, retain, and reward employees.
Target Base Pay Range:
$325,000.00 - $439,000.00- This information is current as of the date of this posting and may be modified in the future. Actual pay offered to a candidate will depend on a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and location.
Travere will accept applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected for the position.
Travere Therapeutics, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Veteran/Disability Employer.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact us by sending an email to accommodations@travere.com . Please note that this email address is to be used exclusively to request an accommodation with the online application, interview or hiring process only. Travere HR will not reply to emails sent to this address for any other reason.
Chief Research Officer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Chief Research Officer JobsChief Research Officer Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief research officer jobs.
- PhD or MD in a relevant scientific discipline with a strong publication record
- 10 or more years of progressive research leadership experience in industry or academia
- Demonstrated experience securing and managing large-scale research grants or R&D budgets
- Ability to develop and execute an enterprise-wide research strategy aligned to business goals
- Experience building and leading multidisciplinary research teams across multiple sites
- Expertise in translational research, clinical development pipelines, or applied technology commercialization
Tips for Your Chief Research Officer Job Search
Lead your resume with research outcomes
Hiring committees for chief research officer roles want to see the downstream impact of your work, not just your methodologies. Quantify how your research programs translated into products, publications, patents, or funding wins rather than listing responsibilities.
Align your portfolio to the organization's mission
Before applying, map your published work and research priorities to the specific scientific or strategic focus of each employer. A portfolio that reflects their therapeutic area or domain signals fit in a way a generic CV never can.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists chief research officer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that signal budget authority
Job descriptions that mention P&L responsibility, capital allocation, or building out a research function indicate real executive scope. Prioritize those openings over titles that describe managing a single lab or inherited team without strategic mandate.
Prepare a research vision presentation for interviews
Most final-round chief research officer interviews include a presentation. Develop a concise, forwardlooking research agenda tailored to the organization before your first screen, so you can refine it quickly once you advance rather than building it under deadline.
Negotiate scope before negotiating compensation
Lock down reporting structure, headcount authority, and budget ownership in writing before closing on an offer. Ambiguity in those areas costs far more than a compensation gap once you are inside the role.
Chief Research Officer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most chief research officers?
Innocence Project, Harvard University, and Travere Therapeutics are hiring the most chief research officers right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Kentucky, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pharmaceutical companies, research universities, and large healthcare systems consistently represent the highest volume of active postings.
How many chief research officer jobs are remote?
About 100% of chief research officer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements more common in roles focused on research strategy, policy, or data science than in positions that require on-site lab oversight or hands-on clinical program management.
How do you become a chief research officer?
Most chief research officers move up through progressively senior research leadership roles, typically starting as a principal investigator or research director before taking on division or departmental leadership. Building a strong external reputation through publications, grants, and conference presentations accelerates progression. Developing operational skills in budget management and team building, alongside scientific credibility, is essential for making the step from research leadership to the executive level.
Can you get hired as a chief research officer with limited executive experience?
It is possible in smaller organizations, early-stage biotech companies, or newly formed research institutes that are building their research function from scratch. In those contexts, deep scientific expertise and a compelling research vision can outweigh a thin executive resume. Demonstrating that you have led cross-functional initiatives, managed external partners, and secured funding gives hiring committees confidence you can operate at the organizational level the role requires.
What does the chief research officer interview process look like?
The process typically runs four to six rounds and includes an initial screen with HR or a search firm, a substantive conversation with the CEO or board, and a final-stage presentation of your research vision to a panel of scientific and business stakeholders. References from collaborators and former direct reports are checked carefully, and some organizations request a written strategic plan as part of the evaluation.
Where can I find and apply to chief research officer jobs?
You can find and apply to chief research officer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each listing without being redirected through additional sign-up steps.
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