Director of Research and Development Jobs
Director of Research and Development jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, consumer products, and technology, from senior manager to executive level, with specializations in product innovation, clinical research, and process engineering. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Argonne National Laboratory in the Nanocomposite Materials and Membrane Manufacturing group in the Applied Materials Division (AMD) has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to develop materials, membranes, fabrication processes, and advanced characterization for water and critical mineral recovery applications. The researcher is expected to use chemical reaction and solution-based synthesis approaches to fabricate element selective sorbents and membranes. We are seeking candidates who will be able to design experiments and develop methodologies to design material compositions and microstructures to achieve desired physics and mass and charge transport properties.
As part of the Materials Engineering Research Facilities (MERF), the Nanocomposite Materials and Membrane Manufacturing group perform science-based membrane synthesis and scaleup development by using roll-to-roll manufacturing and machine learning enabled in-line characterization and quality control methods. The group works closely with industry partners and academic collaborators to address real-world manufacturing challenges and develop next-generation energy-storage and conversion solutions.
The candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team with researchers at MERF and collaborators inside and outside Argonne. The candidate is expected to design and conduct experiments, analyze data and explore mechanisms behind the experimental observations, prepare technical reports and manuscripts, and support future project applications.
Major Duties / Responsibilities:
- Synthesize monomer and polymer materials for polymer membranes and sorbents development.
- Conduct surface modification and functionalization to membranes and sorbents to achieve target separation properties.
- Formulate and synthesis inks for membrane deposition, including electrospinning, slot-die coating, and 3D printing.
- Design composite and hybrid materials and membranes to enhance selectivity and permeance of membranes or separation factors, adsorption capacity and kinetics, and chemical stability of sorbents.
- Conduct structure, microstructure, physics and chemical properties of materials, as well as transport, separation, and electrochemical properties of membranes.
- Develop techniques and strategies for postmortem characterization of membranes to understand fouling, scaling, and membrane failure mechanism.
- Write reports and high-impact papers and present research at conferences.
- Develop or support the development of collaborations with academia and industry.
Position Requirements
- Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in chemical engineering, material science, or related fields.
- Demonstrated knowledge in materials synthesis and characterization.
- Demonstrated knowledge in membranes, water treatment, and element extraction.
- Demonstrated knowledge of transport property study such as electrochemical properties of ion-exchange membranes, permeance and selectivity tradeoff in pressure-driven membranes.
- Experience in polymer material and sorbent synthesis.
- Experience in surface functionalization.
- Experience in coating, printing, or any other wet-chemistry deposition techniques.
- Experience using analytical tools, such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy. (SEM and TEM), spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, XPS), composition analysis (HPLC, ICP-MS), and electrochemical (EIS).
- Publication record with excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability/aptitude to contribute to proposal writing, write reports, and publish journal papers and patents.
- Skilled oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- A successful candidate must model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
- This position requires full-time, on-site presence, five days a week at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with casting or slot-die coating.
- Experience with chemical synthesis.
- Experience of sorbent synthesis and adsorption study.
- Experience with electrospinning.
- Experience with aerosol jet printing or 3D printing is a plus
- Highly self-motivated candidate who demonstrates creative and proactive approaches towards scientific problem solving as evidenced by publications and recommendations.
- Proven track record showing the ability to carry out independent and collaborative research in a multidisciplinary team while meeting project milestones and deadlines.
Job Family
PostdoctoralJob Profile
Postdoctoral AppointeeWorker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)Time Type
Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
Argonne National Laboratory in the Nanocomposite Materials and Membrane Manufacturing group in the Applied Materials Division (AMD) has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to develop materials, membranes, fabrication processes, and advanced characterization for water and critical mineral recovery applications. The researcher is expected to use chemical reaction and solution-based synthesis approaches to fabricate element selective sorbents and membranes. We are seeking candidates who will be able to design experiments and develop methodologies to design material compositions and microstructures to achieve desired physics and mass and charge transport properties.
As part of the Materials Engineering Research Facilities (MERF), the Nanocomposite Materials and Membrane Manufacturing group perform science-based membrane synthesis and scaleup development by using roll-to-roll manufacturing and machine learning enabled in-line characterization and quality control methods. The group works closely with industry partners and academic collaborators to address real-world manufacturing challenges and develop next-generation energy-storage and conversion solutions.
The candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team with researchers at MERF and collaborators inside and outside Argonne. The candidate is expected to design and conduct experiments, analyze data and explore mechanisms behind the experimental observations, prepare technical reports and manuscripts, and support future project applications.
Major Duties / Responsibilities:
- Synthesize monomer and polymer materials for polymer membranes and sorbents development.
- Conduct surface modification and functionalization to membranes and sorbents to achieve target separation properties.
- Formulate and synthesis inks for membrane deposition, including electrospinning, slot-die coating, and 3D printing.
- Design composite and hybrid materials and membranes to enhance selectivity and permeance of membranes or separation factors, adsorption capacity and kinetics, and chemical stability of sorbents.
- Conduct structure, microstructure, physics and chemical properties of materials, as well as transport, separation, and electrochemical properties of membranes.
- Develop techniques and strategies for postmortem characterization of membranes to understand fouling, scaling, and membrane failure mechanism.
- Write reports and high-impact papers and present research at conferences.
- Develop or support the development of collaborations with academia and industry.
Position Requirements
- Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in chemical engineering, material science, or related fields.
- Demonstrated knowledge in materials synthesis and characterization.
- Demonstrated knowledge in membranes, water treatment, and element extraction.
- Demonstrated knowledge of transport property study such as electrochemical properties of ion-exchange membranes, permeance and selectivity tradeoff in pressure-driven membranes.
- Experience in polymer material and sorbent synthesis.
- Experience in surface functionalization.
- Experience in coating, printing, or any other wet-chemistry deposition techniques.
- Experience using analytical tools, such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy. (SEM and TEM), spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, XPS), composition analysis (HPLC, ICP-MS), and electrochemical (EIS).
- Publication record with excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability/aptitude to contribute to proposal writing, write reports, and publish journal papers and patents.
- Skilled oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- A successful candidate must model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
- This position requires full-time, on-site presence, five days a week at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with casting or slot-die coating.
- Experience with chemical synthesis.
- Experience of sorbent synthesis and adsorption study.
- Experience with electrospinning.
- Experience with aerosol jet printing or 3D printing is a plus
- Highly self-motivated candidate who demonstrates creative and proactive approaches towards scientific problem solving as evidenced by publications and recommendations.
- Proven track record showing the ability to carry out independent and collaborative research in a multidisciplinary team while meeting project milestones and deadlines.
Job Family
PostdoctoralJob Profile
Postdoctoral AppointeeWorker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)Time Type
Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of research and development jobs.
- Advanced degree in a scientific or engineering discipline relevant to the industry
- Ten or more years of R&D experience with progressive leadership responsibility
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional product development teams
- Proficiency with stage-gate or agile product development frameworks
- Experience managing R&D budgets and resource allocation across multiple projects
- Familiarity with regulatory submission processes such as FDA, ISO, or EPA requirements
Tips for Your Director of Research and Development Job Search
Quantify your R&D pipeline impact
Your resume should show how many products you moved from concept to commercialization, how much you reduced time-to-market, and what budgets you managed. Directors who list pipeline outcomes get callbacks faster than those who list only responsibilities.
Align your credentials to the industry
A PhD matters far more in pharma and biotech than in consumer goods, where an MBA plus technical experience often wins. Check the dominant educational requirement in each job posting before applying so your cover letter frames your credentials correctly.
Target companies at the right growth stage
Early-stage companies want a director who can build the R&D function from scratch, while mature enterprises need someone to optimize existing teams. Read the job description for clues like 'establish processes' versus 'scale existing programs' and tailor your pitch accordingly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of research and development openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a multi-panel interview structure
Expect separate conversations with the C-suite, cross-functional peers like regulatory or operations leaders, and your prospective direct reports. Each audience evaluates a different dimension, so prepare distinct narratives around strategy, collaboration, and team development.
Negotiate intellectual property terms upfront
Many R&D director offers include IP assignment clauses that transfer invention rights broadly. Before accepting, clarify what prior inventions are excluded and whether moonlighting on independent projects is permitted, since these terms are negotiable before you sign.
Director of Research and Development Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of research and developments?
Balchem, Acoufelt, and Jonas Software are hiring the most director of research and developments right now, with openings concentrated in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Activity tends to cluster at companies launching new product lines or expanding into adjacent markets.
How many director of research and development jobs are remote?
About 100% of director of research and development openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by industry. Software and digital product R&D roles are most likely to offer remote flexibility, while roles in lab-intensive fields such as pharmaceuticals and materials science are predominantly on-site.
How do you become a director of research and development?
Most directors of research and development begin with an advanced degree in a technical field, then build expertise as individual contributors before moving into team lead and senior manager roles. Gaining cross-functional experience across product, regulatory, and operations functions is critical, as is demonstrating ownership over a product or program that reached commercialization or regulatory approval.
Can you get hired as a director of research and development without direct leadership experience?
It's uncommon but possible if you have deep technical expertise and have informally led projects or mentored junior researchers. Smaller companies and startups are more willing to promote strong individual contributors into the director role than large enterprises, which typically require a formal people-management history before elevating someone to the director level.
What does the director of research and development interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter screen, followed by a technical interview with R&D peers or the chief technology officer, then a strategic case presentation where you outline how you would approach a current challenge the company faces. Final rounds usually include meetings with the executive team and sometimes direct reports, with the entire process taking several weeks across multiple rounds.
Where can I find and apply to director of research and development jobs?
You can find and apply to director of research and development jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your industry background and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your experience.
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