Research Director Jobs
Research Director jobs are open across academia, biotech, healthcare, market research, and policy organizations, from senior scientist to executive level, with specializations in clinical research, consumer insights, and policy analysis. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 504+ Research Director jobs
Application Window
Open date: July 31, 2026
Next review date: Sunday, Aug 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jan 31, 2028 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The UCSF Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery invites applications for a visionary and accomplished scientific leader to serve as the Director of Basic Science Research for the Bakar Ear & Hearing Institute (BEHI). This role represents a unique opportunity to shape and lead a high-impact, discovery-driven research enterprise focused on the fundamental mechanisms of hearing and deafness, with the ultimate goal of enabling transformative, first-in-human therapies.
BEHI is being developed as a premier center for auditory science, integrating basic discovery, translational research, and clinical innovation. The Director of Basic Science Research will serve as the intellectual and strategic anchor of this effort—building a rigorous, externally funded research program while defining a long-term scientific vision that positions BEHI at the forefront of hearing restoration.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a high-impact research portfolio focused on the biological, genetic, and neural mechanisms underlying auditory function and dysfunction, with clear trajectories toward therapeutic innovation
- Build and direct a multidisciplinary research enterprise integrating molecular biology, regenerative medicine, neuroengineering, computational biology, and systems neuroscience
- Establish flagship research programs in areas such as hair cell regeneration, cochlear synaptopathy, central auditory processing, and auditory brain–machine interfaces
- Recruit, develop, and mentor a cohort of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff to create a critical mass of scientific excellence and sustained innovation
- Drive extramural funding success, including NIH (R01, P01, U-series), foundation, and industry-supported programs, and develop large-scale, programmatic grants
- Foster bidirectional translation through deep collaboration with clinician-scientists, ensuring that basic discoveries inform clinical strategy and that clinical insights shape research priorities
Scientific Environment
The Director will build upon and expand UCSF’s longstanding strengths in auditory science, including the Saul and Ida Epstein Laboratory for Auditory Physiology and Genetics and the John C. and Edward Coleman Memorial Laboratories—endowed programs with deep expertise in cochlear biology, genetics, neural plasticity, and auditory systems research.
UCSF provides an exceptional ecosystem for interdisciplinary science, offering close connections to leading programs in neuroscience, bioengineering, stem cell biology, and computational biology. BEHI is uniquely positioned to leverage this environment to create convergent, team-based science that bridges discovery and clinical application.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or an equivalent degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline by the time of hire.
- National or international recognition for impactful research and scientific leadership.
- Demonstrated success in securing sustained extramural funding, including NIH support.
- Proven ability to build and lead collaborative, multidisciplinary research programs.
- Strong commitment to mentorship, training, and advancing diversity in the scientific workforce.
- Applicant’s materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.
Opportunity
This position offers the opportunity to define the scientific direction of a rapidly growing institute with the ambition to fundamentally change the treatment landscape for hearing loss. The Director will be supported by substantial institutional investment, including research infrastructure, recruitment resources, and access to world-class clinical and scientific collaborators.
An appointment will be made at an associate or full professor rank commensurate with current academic standing. UCSF offers competitive salaries, research start-up funds, and recruitment allowances, and has numerous opportunities for faculty development and mentorship.
Click here to apply. Candidates must submit CV, cover letter indicating the position you are applying for, a research statement (1 page summary of prior work; 2 page summary of future plans), mentoring statement (1 page, with emphasis on specific mentoring strategies to support the success of all trainees in their research group), and copies of 3 major publications.
Candidates must also arrange for three confidential letters of reference to be uploaded directly.
We welcome inquiries about these positions. Please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Charles Limb (charles.limb@ucsf.edu).
For positions that are 51% effort or more:
The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 5. The minimum base salary range for this position is $150,200 - $319,800. This position includes membership in the health sciences compensation plan which provides for eligibility for additional compensation.
For positions that are 50% effort or less:
See Table 2 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $115,500 - $246,000.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
Cover Letter - Cover Letter indicating the position you are applying for.
Statement of Research - 1 page summary of prior work; 2 page summary of future plans
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
Mentoring Statement - 1 page, with emphasis on specific mentoring strategies to support the success of all trainees in their research group.
Copies of 3 Major Publications - Provide copies of 3 major publications.
- 3 letters of reference required
About UC San Francisco
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Job location
Application Window
Open date: July 31, 2026
Next review date: Sunday, Aug 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jan 31, 2028 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The UCSF Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery invites applications for a visionary and accomplished scientific leader to serve as the Director of Basic Science Research for the Bakar Ear & Hearing Institute (BEHI). This role represents a unique opportunity to shape and lead a high-impact, discovery-driven research enterprise focused on the fundamental mechanisms of hearing and deafness, with the ultimate goal of enabling transformative, first-in-human therapies.
BEHI is being developed as a premier center for auditory science, integrating basic discovery, translational research, and clinical innovation. The Director of Basic Science Research will serve as the intellectual and strategic anchor of this effort—building a rigorous, externally funded research program while defining a long-term scientific vision that positions BEHI at the forefront of hearing restoration.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a high-impact research portfolio focused on the biological, genetic, and neural mechanisms underlying auditory function and dysfunction, with clear trajectories toward therapeutic innovation
- Build and direct a multidisciplinary research enterprise integrating molecular biology, regenerative medicine, neuroengineering, computational biology, and systems neuroscience
- Establish flagship research programs in areas such as hair cell regeneration, cochlear synaptopathy, central auditory processing, and auditory brain–machine interfaces
- Recruit, develop, and mentor a cohort of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff to create a critical mass of scientific excellence and sustained innovation
- Drive extramural funding success, including NIH (R01, P01, U-series), foundation, and industry-supported programs, and develop large-scale, programmatic grants
- Foster bidirectional translation through deep collaboration with clinician-scientists, ensuring that basic discoveries inform clinical strategy and that clinical insights shape research priorities
Scientific Environment
The Director will build upon and expand UCSF’s longstanding strengths in auditory science, including the Saul and Ida Epstein Laboratory for Auditory Physiology and Genetics and the John C. and Edward Coleman Memorial Laboratories—endowed programs with deep expertise in cochlear biology, genetics, neural plasticity, and auditory systems research.
UCSF provides an exceptional ecosystem for interdisciplinary science, offering close connections to leading programs in neuroscience, bioengineering, stem cell biology, and computational biology. BEHI is uniquely positioned to leverage this environment to create convergent, team-based science that bridges discovery and clinical application.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or an equivalent degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline by the time of hire.
- National or international recognition for impactful research and scientific leadership.
- Demonstrated success in securing sustained extramural funding, including NIH support.
- Proven ability to build and lead collaborative, multidisciplinary research programs.
- Strong commitment to mentorship, training, and advancing diversity in the scientific workforce.
- Applicant’s materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.
Opportunity
This position offers the opportunity to define the scientific direction of a rapidly growing institute with the ambition to fundamentally change the treatment landscape for hearing loss. The Director will be supported by substantial institutional investment, including research infrastructure, recruitment resources, and access to world-class clinical and scientific collaborators.
An appointment will be made at an associate or full professor rank commensurate with current academic standing. UCSF offers competitive salaries, research start-up funds, and recruitment allowances, and has numerous opportunities for faculty development and mentorship.
Click here to apply. Candidates must submit CV, cover letter indicating the position you are applying for, a research statement (1 page summary of prior work; 2 page summary of future plans), mentoring statement (1 page, with emphasis on specific mentoring strategies to support the success of all trainees in their research group), and copies of 3 major publications.
Candidates must also arrange for three confidential letters of reference to be uploaded directly.
We welcome inquiries about these positions. Please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Charles Limb (charles.limb@ucsf.edu).
For positions that are 51% effort or more:
The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 5. The minimum base salary range for this position is $150,200 - $319,800. This position includes membership in the health sciences compensation plan which provides for eligibility for additional compensation.
For positions that are 50% effort or less:
See Table 2 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $115,500 - $246,000.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
Cover Letter - Cover Letter indicating the position you are applying for.
Statement of Research - 1 page summary of prior work; 2 page summary of future plans
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
Mentoring Statement - 1 page, with emphasis on specific mentoring strategies to support the success of all trainees in their research group.
Copies of 3 Major Publications - Provide copies of 3 major publications.
- 3 letters of reference required
About UC San Francisco
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Job location
Research Director Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education62
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals29
- Healthcare & Medical Services24
- Technology & Software18
- Science & Research14
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs.
- Advanced degree in a relevant field such as a PhD or master's degree
- 7 or more years of progressive research experience including supervisory responsibility
- Demonstrated ability to design, lead, and publish or present original research
- Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or similar tools
- Experience securing and managing grants or external research funding
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for executive-level reporting
Tips for Your Research Director Job Search
Quantify your research program outcomes
Research directors are evaluated on what their teams produced, not just what they oversaw. Lead with grant dollars secured, publications output, or studies completed on your resume rather than listing duties. Reviewers want to see scale and results.
Tailor applications to the research model
Academic, industry, and government research director roles have fundamentally different expectations. An industry posting values speed-to-insight and cross-functional collaboration, while academic roles weight publication record and lab leadership. Reframe your experience to match the specific model before you apply.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight budget and team oversight clearly
Many research director candidates undersell operational scope. If you managed a budget or led a team of researchers, state the size explicitly. Hiring panels use those figures to gauge whether your experience matches the role's complexity from the first pass.
Prepare a portfolio of completed studies
For applied and market research roles, a portfolio of past studies, reports, or frameworks gives interviewers something concrete to assess. Include a brief context note for each entry explaining the business or research question it addressed.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Research director roles vary widely in authority over methodology, staffing, and external partnerships. Before accepting, confirm whether the role controls those decisions or reports into a larger research function. Misaligned expectations on autonomy are a common early friction point.
Research Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research directors?
The companies hiring the most research directors right now include EAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and AbbVie, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is consistent across healthcare systems, research universities, and market research firms.
How many research director jobs are remote?
About 54% of research director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with the highest remote share in market research, consumer insights, and policy research roles. Clinical and laboratory research director positions tend to require on-site presence due to hands-on oversight responsibilities.
How do you become a research director?
Most research directors start with an advanced degree and spend several years as individual contributor researchers before moving into lead or principal roles. Building a track of completed projects, developing grant-writing or client-facing experience, and taking on team oversight in a senior researcher capacity are the clearest steps. Demonstrating that you can translate research output into decisions or strategy accelerates the path considerably.
Can you get hired as a research director with limited leadership experience?
It depends on the organization's size and structure. Smaller research teams, startups, and nonprofits often hire researchers into director titles when the candidate has deep subject matter expertise but limited formal management history. Emphasizing mentorship experience, project coordination, and any budget or vendor oversight you have held closes the experience gap in those contexts.
What does the research director interview process look like?
Research director interviews typically involve a recruiter screen, a panel interview with senior leadership and potential direct reports, and a presentation or case exercise where you walk through past research work or respond to a hypothetical challenge. Late-stage conversations often include stakeholders from adjacent functions such as product, marketing, or clinical operations who would rely on your team's output.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs?
You can find and apply to research director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each listing from the results page.
See All 504+ Research Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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