Research Director Jobs in Kansas
Research Director jobs in Kansas are concentrated in Wichita, Kansas City, and Lawrence, with strong demand in healthcare research, agricultural science, and policy analysis. Major employers with lasting research operations in the state include the University of Kansas, Koch Industries, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The role draws senior candidates who can lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage grants, and translate findings into organizational strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Title
Position Summary / Career Interest:
M - F 8am - 4:30pmThe Data and Research Specialist identifies, registers and maintains records of all patients in a program specific to the area in which it is located. Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions
- Ability to interact with multidisciplinary teams including physicians, nurses, administrative staff and clinic personnel.
- Ability to manage several high priority projects simultaneously.
- Advanced working knowledge of computer spreadsheets and databases.
- Explains certain aspects of clinical studies recommended to patients.
- Maintains records in accordance with FDA guidelines and standards.
- Makes recommendations to attending physicians regarding patient suitability for enrollment in certain clinical studies.
- Participates in department committees.
- Responsible for acquiring follow up data for patients (life-long) from all physician offices.
- Responsible for data management of pharmaceutical studies, including liaison with representatives of those companies.
- Responsible for maintaining and updating all human subjects committee protocols.
- Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
- These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.
Required Education and Experience
- High School Graduate
- Bachelors Degree in Biology or related health care field OR
- Associates Degree +2 years of relevant expereince
Preferred Education and Experience Experience in a health care or academic setting.
Time Type:
Full timeJob Requisition ID:
R-55197Important information for you to know as you apply:
The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion .
The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link asktalentacquisition@kumc.edu .
Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.
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Position Title
Position Summary / Career Interest:
M - F 8am - 4:30pmThe Data and Research Specialist identifies, registers and maintains records of all patients in a program specific to the area in which it is located. Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions
- Ability to interact with multidisciplinary teams including physicians, nurses, administrative staff and clinic personnel.
- Ability to manage several high priority projects simultaneously.
- Advanced working knowledge of computer spreadsheets and databases.
- Explains certain aspects of clinical studies recommended to patients.
- Maintains records in accordance with FDA guidelines and standards.
- Makes recommendations to attending physicians regarding patient suitability for enrollment in certain clinical studies.
- Participates in department committees.
- Responsible for acquiring follow up data for patients (life-long) from all physician offices.
- Responsible for data management of pharmaceutical studies, including liaison with representatives of those companies.
- Responsible for maintaining and updating all human subjects committee protocols.
- Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
- These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.
Required Education and Experience
- High School Graduate
- Bachelors Degree in Biology or related health care field OR
- Associates Degree +2 years of relevant expereince
Preferred Education and Experience Experience in a health care or academic setting.
Time Type:
Full timeJob Requisition ID:
R-55197Important information for you to know as you apply:
The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion .
The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link asktalentacquisition@kumc.edu .
Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.
Need help finding the right job?
We can recommend jobs specifically for you! Create a custom Job Alert by selecting criteria that suit your career interests.
See All 55 Research Director Jobs in Kansas
Find roles in Kansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in Kansas
Where Kansas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in Kansas
A snapshot from current Kansas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- IQVIA9
- University of Kansas7
- Boeing4
- Spirit AeroSystems4
- Altasciences3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education5
- Healthcare & Medical Services5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Science & Research3
What Kansas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across Kansas.
- Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline required by most Kansas research director employers
- Minimum seven to ten years of progressive research experience with demonstrated leadership responsibilities
- Proven ability to secure and manage external grants from federal or private funding sources
- Experience overseeing IRB protocols and ensuring compliance with federal research regulations
- Strong record of peer-reviewed publication or applied research outputs in the relevant field
- Proficiency with data analysis platforms and research management software commonly used in Kansas institutions
Research Director Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in Kansas?
Most Kansas research director roles require a doctoral degree in a relevant field combined with several years of progressively senior research experience. Kansas does not issue a state license specific to the research director title, so advancement depends on building a portfolio of funded projects, published or applied research, and demonstrated team leadership. Candidates targeting healthcare or clinical research roles should also familiarize themselves with Kansas Department of Health and Environment compliance requirements relevant to their area.
How much do research directors make in Kansas?
Research directors in Kansas earn a median of about $153,820 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $110,660 for the lowest 10% to over $224,310 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in Kansas?
Kansas research director roles are posted by IQVIA, University of Kansas, and Boeing and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Kansas's mix of major research universities, agricultural biotech firms, and state health agencies means openings appear across a broader set of sectors than most states its size.
Which Kansas cities have the most research director jobs?
Overland Park, Wichita, and Lawrence account for the largest share of research director openings in Kansas. Wichita anchors demand through its aerospace and healthcare sectors, Kansas City draws positions from its cross-border concentration of hospital systems and corporate R&D offices, and Lawrence benefits from the University of Kansas and its affiliated research centers, which generate a steady pipeline of academic and applied research leadership roles.
Are there remote research director jobs in Kansas?
Yes, and more than many comparably senior roles, because research directors in policy, data science, and social science disciplines can often lead teams and manage projects without being on-site daily. About 10% of research director openings tied to Kansas are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting genuine flexibility in desk-based disciplines. Laboratory-based and clinical research director roles, by contrast, almost always require an on-site presence in Kansas.
How can I get hired as a research director in Kansas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a research manager or associate director role at a Kansas institution and building toward the director level from there. The University of Kansas and Kansas State University both hire research administrators and program managers who develop the grant management and compliance skills directors need. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Wichita-area health systems also post research coordinator and project lead roles that serve as direct stepping stones. A strong grant-writing portfolio or IRB certification gives candidates a measurable edge at the point of promotion.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in Kansas?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in Kansas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kansas openings across healthcare, academic, government, and private-sector employers. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 55 Research Director Jobs in Kansas
Find roles in Kansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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