Research Director Jobs in Florida
Research Director jobs in Florida are in strong demand, concentrated in biomedical research, academic institutions, public health, and technology, with openings at every level from associate research director through senior and principal roles. The busiest hiring markets are Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, where major employers such as the University of Florida Health system, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Lockheed Martin maintain lasting research operations. The most sought-after specializations include clinical research, public health epidemiology, and applied technology research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Research Director jobs
Do you have the career opportunities you want with your current employer? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join the HCA Healthcare Research Institute which is part of the nation's leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare
The Division Director of Research is responsible for ownership and day-to-day management of all research operations oversight of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division and North Florida Division research strategy and operations across the facilities within the division. This includes fiscal management, research development, research organization, research operation implementation and management, program development, patient recruitment, trial management, FDA and IND support, Compliance, database support and management, physician relationships, and colleague administration. This leadership opportunity requires someone with strong managerial and leadership skills and excellent organizational capabilities. The Division Director of Research works closely with division leadership as well as physicians and practice administrators and mentors trainees, residents and fellows in research endeavors. Travel across Tampa, Orlando and Ocala is required.
Job Summary and Qualifications
- Assists in developing and executing the Hospital For Endocrine Surgery research internal and external strategies
- Provides oversight, leadership, and direction in the management of clinical trials
- Provides operational oversight and direction in the execution of trials
- Maintains records and facilitates FDA and IND monitoring and compliance
- Develops, maintains, supports, and insures privacy of data and storage
- Assesses quality of data and performance of clinical trials and develops action plans to address performance gaps
- Monitors patient accrual rates and implements action plans for sites with accrual issues
- Assesses organizational processes associated with trial execution and identifies ways to improve and streamline internal procedures
- Meets with the facilities and physician partners as needed to ensure research support is being provided
- Keeps executive and management team abreast of issues, progress, and risks related to research operations
- Conducts regular departmental and staff meetings
- Manages the performance of all research operations colleagues, including role expectations and performance reviews
- Ensures general inquiries from current and prospective patients, sponsors, and physicians are appropriately routed and answered
- Directs, motivates, and trains staff as necessary
- Develops, implements, and evaluates programs to promote the recruitment, retention, and continuing education of the endocrine surgery and endocrinology research staff
- Develops the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery research operations budget, monitors expenses, and stays within budget
- Plans and facilitates meetings and committees to address research issues
- Responsible for ensuring the integrity of data/information, providing recommendations for corrective action when necessary
- Attends and participates in all required meetings
- Proactively handles standard of care or conflict of interest issues
- Presents data and/or represents institution at external forums as necessary
- Collaborates with the quality department to support investigator-initiated trials for publication
What qualifications you will need:
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 year program)
- Research Certification (ACRP or CCRP)
- Clinical Research experience: Minimum of three years of progressive responsibility or related experience in research coordination in a patient care setting
- Proficiency in using various Microsoft Office, EDC, and CTMS applications
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology and GCP
Benefits
HCA Healthcare, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
"Bricks and mortar do not make a hospital. People do."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Division Director of Research opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Do you have the career opportunities you want with your current employer? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join the HCA Healthcare Research Institute which is part of the nation's leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare
The Division Director of Research is responsible for ownership and day-to-day management of all research operations oversight of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division and North Florida Division research strategy and operations across the facilities within the division. This includes fiscal management, research development, research organization, research operation implementation and management, program development, patient recruitment, trial management, FDA and IND support, Compliance, database support and management, physician relationships, and colleague administration. This leadership opportunity requires someone with strong managerial and leadership skills and excellent organizational capabilities. The Division Director of Research works closely with division leadership as well as physicians and practice administrators and mentors trainees, residents and fellows in research endeavors. Travel across Tampa, Orlando and Ocala is required.
Job Summary and Qualifications
- Assists in developing and executing the Hospital For Endocrine Surgery research internal and external strategies
- Provides oversight, leadership, and direction in the management of clinical trials
- Provides operational oversight and direction in the execution of trials
- Maintains records and facilitates FDA and IND monitoring and compliance
- Develops, maintains, supports, and insures privacy of data and storage
- Assesses quality of data and performance of clinical trials and develops action plans to address performance gaps
- Monitors patient accrual rates and implements action plans for sites with accrual issues
- Assesses organizational processes associated with trial execution and identifies ways to improve and streamline internal procedures
- Meets with the facilities and physician partners as needed to ensure research support is being provided
- Keeps executive and management team abreast of issues, progress, and risks related to research operations
- Conducts regular departmental and staff meetings
- Manages the performance of all research operations colleagues, including role expectations and performance reviews
- Ensures general inquiries from current and prospective patients, sponsors, and physicians are appropriately routed and answered
- Directs, motivates, and trains staff as necessary
- Develops, implements, and evaluates programs to promote the recruitment, retention, and continuing education of the endocrine surgery and endocrinology research staff
- Develops the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery research operations budget, monitors expenses, and stays within budget
- Plans and facilitates meetings and committees to address research issues
- Responsible for ensuring the integrity of data/information, providing recommendations for corrective action when necessary
- Attends and participates in all required meetings
- Proactively handles standard of care or conflict of interest issues
- Presents data and/or represents institution at external forums as necessary
- Collaborates with the quality department to support investigator-initiated trials for publication
What qualifications you will need:
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 year program)
- Research Certification (ACRP or CCRP)
- Clinical Research experience: Minimum of three years of progressive responsibility or related experience in research coordination in a patient care setting
- Proficiency in using various Microsoft Office, EDC, and CTMS applications
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology and GCP
Benefits
HCA Healthcare, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
"Bricks and mortar do not make a hospital. People do."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Division Director of Research opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
See All 18 Research Director Jobs in Florida
Find roles in Florida that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in Florida
Where Florida roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in Florida
A snapshot from current Florida openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Gaming & Esports
- Media & Entertainment
- Technology & Software
What Florida Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across Florida.
- Doctoral degree in a relevant research discipline from an accredited institution required
- Minimum five to eight years of progressively responsible research leadership experience expected
- Demonstrated record of securing competitive grant funding from federal or private sources
- Experience managing multidisciplinary research teams across complex, multi-year projects
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals within the relevant specialty area
- Familiarity with Florida research compliance frameworks, including IRB oversight and state-funded research protocols
Research Director Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in Florida?
Most research director roles in Florida require a doctoral degree, such as a PhD, MD, or equivalent, in a field relevant to the organization's research focus. Florida does not issue a state license specifically for research directors, but clinical research professionals often hold credentials such as the Certified Clinical Research Professional designation. Employers in Florida typically require several years of hands-on research experience, a funding history, and demonstrated leadership before promoting or hiring into director-level roles.
How much do research directors make in Florida?
Research directors in Florida earn a median of about $112,220 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,660 for the lowest 10% to over $216,330 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in Florida?
Employers hiring research directors in Florida right now include Florida State University, University of Miami, and HCA Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Florida's concentration of academic medical centers, defense contractors, and life sciences companies means research director demand is spread across multiple industries rather than a single sector.
Which Florida cities have the most research director jobs?
Tallahassee, Tampa, and Miami have the most research director openings in Florida. Miami's concentration of academic medical centers and public health institutions, Tampa's growing life sciences and healthcare corridor anchored by Moffitt Cancer Center and USF Health, and Orlando's defense and technology research base drive the bulk of postings, while Gainesville draws openings through the University of Florida's extensive research enterprise.
Are there remote research director jobs in Florida?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely analytical or policy-focused fields, since many research director roles involve on-site lab oversight, team supervision, and institutional presence. About 20% of research director openings tied to Florida are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's mixed nature. The parts of the job most amenable to remote work include grant writing, data analysis oversight, and strategic planning responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a research director in Florida with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a postdoctoral research position or a research coordinator role at a Florida academic medical center or university, such as the University of Miami, University of Florida, or USF Health, then building toward a senior investigator or associate director title. Large Florida institutions run postdoctoral training programs that develop the grant-writing and team-management skills directors need. Earning a Certified Clinical Research Professional credential and building an independent publication record strengthens a candidate's case for early promotion into leadership.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in Florida?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in Florida on Migrate Mate, which lists current Florida openings across industries and hiring levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 18 Research Director Jobs in Florida
Find roles in Florida that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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