Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Director Of Research Operations jobs are open across academia, biotech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare systems, and research-focused nonprofits, from manager-level to senior director, with specializations in clinical research operations, scientific program management, and research compliance. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 17+ Director Of Research Operations jobs
Department
UL Inclusive Economy Lab
About the Department
We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in three main areas:
- College and Career Success
- Basic Needs
- Quality Jobs
Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain clear guidelines for how research teams create, organize, store, and access research knowledge and resources, including building out and maintaining the organizational wiki.
- Centralize and streamline IEL's existing research repository, ensuring that prior work and methodological resources are easy to reference.
- Build and manage best practices for onboarding new research team members to IEL's previously published research, so that institutional knowledge transfers effectively as the team grows.
- Manage and work with the Scientific Director to refine project selection. This includes ensuring the completeness and timeliness of materials shared with LOT, following up on next steps for provisionally approved projects, and providing new project updates at staff meetings.
- Support the Scientific Director in formalizing the onboarding of new affiliates.
- Identify potential new affiliates as the Lab builds out new bodies of work, with specific focus on engaging Booth faculty as appropriate.
- Maintain list of current research affiliates and ensure external and internal communication is up to date.
- Support planning and execution of the IEL affiliate speaker series, working closely with the Scientific Director.
- Identify areas for Affiliate Research engagement with the Lab outside of project work.
- Develop and manage annual 360 feedback process for research affiliates.
- Support the scientific director in launching an academic conference focused on applied policy research.
- Identify areas to expand the Lab’s visibility with academic audiences.
- Lead the design and execution of IEL's internal program evaluation curriculum to build RM team capacity in causal inference and impact evaluation methods.
- Manage lab-wide research learning and trainings, including topic planning, speaker coordination, and content development, working closely with the Scientific Director. This includes taking ownership of training Tuesdays and research training components of Town Hall meetings.
- Identify research-related training gaps across the team and develop programming to address them.
- Support the Director of Analytics in launching an internal AI working group across the Lab.
- Develop practical guidance, tools, and standards for incorporating AI responsibly into research workflows, from literature reviews to coding to writing. Launch and support pilots aimed at increasing the efficiency of our work without compromising research quality, rigor, and integrity.
- Work closely with the Scientific Director and Qualitative Research Director to support development of a protocol for mixed methods research.
- Help the lab navigate its integration into Rustandy and Booth by developing clear frameworks and expectations around Rustandy-driven, non-IEL projects that IEL staff will support.
- Field inquiries for research support from Booth faculty and scope our involvement, identifying relevant staff support in collaboration with the DOA and DRM and provide direct research support as necessary/appropriate.
- Establish norms, intake processes, and documentation standards that allow both streams of work to coexist productively.
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, social science, economics, education, or a related field is a plus. Will consider applicants with equivalent professional or lived experience.
Experience:
- Five or more years of experience in applied research, policy, or research operations, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects independently.
- Experience in a research coordination, program management, or chief-of-staff-type role, ideally within a university, think tank, or policy research organization.
- Strong working knowledge of program evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to communicate methodological concepts to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training or capacity-building programs, particularly related to research methods or evidence use.
- Experience developing knowledge management systems, research repositories, or institutional learning infrastructure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear guidance, documentation, and presentations.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills; comfort working across teams and in a matrixed organizational structure.
- Genuine commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, with experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty, segregation, or disinvestment.
- First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Competencies
- Experience supporting or coordinating academic affiliates, visiting scholars, or research fellows.
- Prior experience planning academic convenings, workshops, or speaker series.
- Familiarity with administrative data partnerships, IRB processes, or research compliance.
- Interest in and experience with responsible AI use in research or policy contexts.
- Experience in workforce development, housing stability, education, or social safety net policy areas.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $115,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
UL Inclusive Economy Lab
About the Department
We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in three main areas:
- College and Career Success
- Basic Needs
- Quality Jobs
Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain clear guidelines for how research teams create, organize, store, and access research knowledge and resources, including building out and maintaining the organizational wiki.
- Centralize and streamline IEL's existing research repository, ensuring that prior work and methodological resources are easy to reference.
- Build and manage best practices for onboarding new research team members to IEL's previously published research, so that institutional knowledge transfers effectively as the team grows.
- Manage and work with the Scientific Director to refine project selection. This includes ensuring the completeness and timeliness of materials shared with LOT, following up on next steps for provisionally approved projects, and providing new project updates at staff meetings.
- Support the Scientific Director in formalizing the onboarding of new affiliates.
- Identify potential new affiliates as the Lab builds out new bodies of work, with specific focus on engaging Booth faculty as appropriate.
- Maintain list of current research affiliates and ensure external and internal communication is up to date.
- Support planning and execution of the IEL affiliate speaker series, working closely with the Scientific Director.
- Identify areas for Affiliate Research engagement with the Lab outside of project work.
- Develop and manage annual 360 feedback process for research affiliates.
- Support the scientific director in launching an academic conference focused on applied policy research.
- Identify areas to expand the Lab’s visibility with academic audiences.
- Lead the design and execution of IEL's internal program evaluation curriculum to build RM team capacity in causal inference and impact evaluation methods.
- Manage lab-wide research learning and trainings, including topic planning, speaker coordination, and content development, working closely with the Scientific Director. This includes taking ownership of training Tuesdays and research training components of Town Hall meetings.
- Identify research-related training gaps across the team and develop programming to address them.
- Support the Director of Analytics in launching an internal AI working group across the Lab.
- Develop practical guidance, tools, and standards for incorporating AI responsibly into research workflows, from literature reviews to coding to writing. Launch and support pilots aimed at increasing the efficiency of our work without compromising research quality, rigor, and integrity.
- Work closely with the Scientific Director and Qualitative Research Director to support development of a protocol for mixed methods research.
- Help the lab navigate its integration into Rustandy and Booth by developing clear frameworks and expectations around Rustandy-driven, non-IEL projects that IEL staff will support.
- Field inquiries for research support from Booth faculty and scope our involvement, identifying relevant staff support in collaboration with the DOA and DRM and provide direct research support as necessary/appropriate.
- Establish norms, intake processes, and documentation standards that allow both streams of work to coexist productively.
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, social science, economics, education, or a related field is a plus. Will consider applicants with equivalent professional or lived experience.
Experience:
- Five or more years of experience in applied research, policy, or research operations, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects independently.
- Experience in a research coordination, program management, or chief-of-staff-type role, ideally within a university, think tank, or policy research organization.
- Strong working knowledge of program evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to communicate methodological concepts to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training or capacity-building programs, particularly related to research methods or evidence use.
- Experience developing knowledge management systems, research repositories, or institutional learning infrastructure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear guidance, documentation, and presentations.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills; comfort working across teams and in a matrixed organizational structure.
- Genuine commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, with experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty, segregation, or disinvestment.
- First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Competencies
- Experience supporting or coordinating academic affiliates, visiting scholars, or research fellows.
- Prior experience planning academic convenings, workshops, or speaker series.
- Familiarity with administrative data partnerships, IRB processes, or research compliance.
- Interest in and experience with responsible AI use in research or policy contexts.
- Experience in workforce development, housing stability, education, or social safety net policy areas.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $115,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
See All Director Of Research Operations Jobs
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Find JobsDirector Of Research Operations Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy2
- Sam Houston State University2
- Alfred University1
- Biogen1
- California State University, Monterey Bay1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education10
- Healthcare & Medical Services5
- Science & Research2
- Technology & Software1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of research operations jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in life sciences, public health, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or multi-study clinical or scientific research programs
- Working knowledge of IRB processes, GCP guidelines, and regulatory compliance frameworks
- Proficiency with research management systems such as OnCore, Veeva, or similar platforms
- Experience developing and monitoring research budgets, contracts, and grant expenditures
- Strong record of leading cross-functional teams across scientific, clinical, and administrative functions
Tips for Your Director Of Research Operations Job Search
Quantify your research portfolio management impact
Your resume should show study counts, budget sizes you've overseen, and cycle-time improvements you drove. Directors of research operations are evaluated on operational outcomes, so replace vague responsibilities with measurable results tied to protocol timelines or resource allocation.
Highlight IRB and regulatory compliance experience clearly
Many postings screen for IRB submission experience, GCP certification, or familiarity with FDA or ICH guidelines. List these explicitly in a credentials section rather than burying them in job descriptions, since applicant tracking systems filter on these terms before a human ever reads your file.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of research operations openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by research phase and setting
A director role in an academic medical center differs sharply from one at a contract research organization or a biotech startup. Filter your search by institution type so your cover letter can speak directly to the operational model, funding structure, and stakeholder mix that employer actually runs.
Prepare a cross-functional leadership narrative
Interview panels for this role typically include lab leads, finance, and compliance. Prepare examples that show you've coordinated across those groups simultaneously, not just managed up or down. Concrete stories about resolving resource conflicts or budget reallocations under deadline land better than general leadership claims.
Negotiate scope and reporting structure, not only pay
In research operations, your authority over staffing, vendor contracts, and protocol prioritization matters as much as compensation. During offer discussions, clarify what decisions you own versus what require committee approval, since scope mismatches cause most early exits in director-level research ops roles.
Director Of Research Operations Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of research operationss?
The companies hiring the most director of research operationss right now include Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Sam Houston State University, and Alfred University, with the largest share of openings in Texas, New York, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Academic medical centers, large health systems, and mid-stage biotech firms consistently account for the highest volume of postings.
How many director of research operations jobs are remote?
About 0% of director of research operations openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with remote availability concentrated in program management, regulatory operations, and grants administration functions. Roles that require direct oversight of on-site labs, clinical coordinators, or specimen handling are far more likely to require in-person or hybrid presence.
How do you become a director of research operations?
Most directors of research operations move up from research coordinator, study manager, or clinical operations manager roles, building expertise in regulatory compliance, budgeting, and multi-study oversight along the way. Earning GCP certification and gaining experience with IRB submissions strengthens your candidacy. Demonstrating that you've led cross-functional teams and managed research portfolios independently is the clearest signal that you're ready for a director-level role.
Can you get a director of research operations job with limited experience?
Breaking in at the director level with limited experience is difficult, but moving up from a senior coordinator or manager role within the same institution is the most common path. Building deep expertise in one area, such as regulatory submissions, budget management, or protocol development, and then leading a high-visibility project can accelerate promotion into an operations director role faster than lateral moves between organizations.
What does the director of research operations interview process look like?
The process typically involves an initial screening call with HR or a talent partner, followed by a panel interview with research leadership, compliance, and finance stakeholders. Candidates are often asked to walk through how they've managed a complex study or resolved a regulatory or budget challenge. A final round may include a presentation or case exercise demonstrating how you'd approach operational planning or resource prioritization for the team.
Where can I find and apply to director of research operations jobs?
You can find and apply to director of research operations jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each listing from the same place.
See All Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any director of research operations role that fits.
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