Research Director Jobs in Minnesota
Research Director jobs in Minnesota concentrate in academic research, healthcare systems, and nonprofit and public policy sectors, with strong demand at the senior leadership level across the Twin Cities and beyond. Minneapolis and St. Paul anchor the market, where institutions like the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and 3M maintain dedicated research leadership teams. The most sought-after specialties include clinical and translational research, policy and program evaluation, and applied market research. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Required qualifications: Ph.D. or M.D.
Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following research areas: dementia, aging, chronic disease, multi-causative disease pathways, rural health, Indigenous health. Sensitivity and desire to promote diversity.
Preferred qualifications: Experience with community-based participatory research approaches. Experience and demonstrated interest in working with interdisciplinary research teams. Experience with, or interest in, population health, community-based research, small population research and/or small sample analyses. Track record of success in NIH grant awards or equivalent.
The Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team-Health Equity (MK-MDT) at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, invites applications for a tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor. The faculty member’s primary responsibilities will be to conduct collaborative research in a team science environment concerning aging and cognitive health in rural populations and provide leadership to the MK-MDT Rural Health Research Initiatives.
The Memory Keepers MDT conducts research on dementia and its associated risks, resiliencies, and comorbidities in collaboration with Indigenous and rural communities. MK-MDT faculty investigators work in an interdisciplinary research environment with highly qualified staff. The new faculty member will join a growing team of researchers with established community partnerships and a deeply embedded community-based infrastructure to support our research. Our modern facilities have been thoughtfully constructed to foster team science approaches to research and well-being.
We seek a dynamic scholar with demonstrated potential for innovation and leadership and a strong track record of grant funding and publications. We will consider applicants from varied disciplinary backgrounds (e.g., health sciences, social sciences, psychology, neurology, medicine, and neuropsychology). Research programs focused on intervention design and/or implementation science are particularly welcome. Commitment to and experience with community-based participatory research is an asset. Willingness to join or expand the candidate’s current research in Minnesota, or join ongoing MK-MDT projects, is expected. The opportunity to work on our Indigenous research mission also exists but is not the focus for this position.
The University of Minnesota supports several research centers and initiatives that are available as partners and collaborators. These include additional Medical Discovery Teams: Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, and Optical Imaging and Brain Science; Centers and Institutes: N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation, and the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (MNGWEP) There are also opportunities to partner with supports provided through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Minnesota Population Center, among others.
The vast majority of the successful candidate’s time will be focused on research activities; however, academic service and contributions to teaching are expected.
Duties and responsibilities of the position include: Conduct research on brain health and/or healthy aging in rural populations, aligned with the mission and vision of the MK-MDT and the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. Seek extramural funding from NIH and other agencies to support research activities. Participate in collaborative interdisciplinary team science with MK-MDT faculty, including active contributions to community engagement, workshops, and funding applications.
Contribute to teaching and service at the University of Minnesota Medical School on the Duluth campus and its mission in rural and Indigenous health. Mentor students, post-doctoral fellows, and research staff. Be active in the production of peer-reviewed publications, community reports, presentations at professional conferences and engagement with community groups. Lead the MK-MDT Rural Health Initiatives using community-based approaches to engage rural communities in projects concerning healthy brain aging and the prevention, diagnosis and care for people with dementia in rural communities.
Salary is commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will be appointed as faculty to the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team – Health Equity, with their academic home in the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health or Biomedical Sciences, as appropriate, onsite at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.
The mission of the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team is to support an environment of Team Science to conduct community-based participatory action research on dementia in Indigenous and rural communities with the aim of achieving health equity.
The mission of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
We do this by:
- Educating medical students dedicated to serving rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native communities
- Fostering excellence in research
- Emphasizing the training of physicians in Family Medicine
- Creating strong partnerships locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
- Working in innovative, interdisciplinary and inter-professional teams
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.
This position will remain open until filled.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)
The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.
Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
Duluth, Minnesota, is a cultural center that boasts a wealth of fine art and performance offerings, as well as outdoor beauty. Natural history and art museums abound, along with a symphony orchestra and musical talents from numerous performers across many genres.
In 2014, Duluth was voted Outside magazine's best outdoors town in America. Minnesota’s City on the Hill claims 6,834 acres of city parkland, 129 Parks, 11,000 acres of green space, 12 miles of paved, accessible trails, 85 miles of bike-optimized, multi-use trails, 150 miles of unpaved hiking trails, and 16 designated trout streams. It is also the southern terminus of the Superior Hiking Trails. During winter months Spirit Mountain features skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, alpine coaster, snow tubing and Nordic trails. Duluth has recently been characterized as a climate change refuge by CNN and The New York Times.
Required qualifications: Ph.D. or M.D.
Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following research areas: dementia, aging, chronic disease, multi-causative disease pathways, rural health, Indigenous health. Sensitivity and desire to promote diversity.
Preferred qualifications: Experience with community-based participatory research approaches. Experience and demonstrated interest in working with interdisciplinary research teams. Experience with, or interest in, population health, community-based research, small population research and/or small sample analyses. Track record of success in NIH grant awards or equivalent.
The Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team-Health Equity (MK-MDT) at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, invites applications for a tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor. The faculty member’s primary responsibilities will be to conduct collaborative research in a team science environment concerning aging and cognitive health in rural populations and provide leadership to the MK-MDT Rural Health Research Initiatives.
The Memory Keepers MDT conducts research on dementia and its associated risks, resiliencies, and comorbidities in collaboration with Indigenous and rural communities. MK-MDT faculty investigators work in an interdisciplinary research environment with highly qualified staff. The new faculty member will join a growing team of researchers with established community partnerships and a deeply embedded community-based infrastructure to support our research. Our modern facilities have been thoughtfully constructed to foster team science approaches to research and well-being.
We seek a dynamic scholar with demonstrated potential for innovation and leadership and a strong track record of grant funding and publications. We will consider applicants from varied disciplinary backgrounds (e.g., health sciences, social sciences, psychology, neurology, medicine, and neuropsychology). Research programs focused on intervention design and/or implementation science are particularly welcome. Commitment to and experience with community-based participatory research is an asset. Willingness to join or expand the candidate’s current research in Minnesota, or join ongoing MK-MDT projects, is expected. The opportunity to work on our Indigenous research mission also exists but is not the focus for this position.
The University of Minnesota supports several research centers and initiatives that are available as partners and collaborators. These include additional Medical Discovery Teams: Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, and Optical Imaging and Brain Science; Centers and Institutes: N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation, and the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (MNGWEP) There are also opportunities to partner with supports provided through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Minnesota Population Center, among others.
The vast majority of the successful candidate’s time will be focused on research activities; however, academic service and contributions to teaching are expected.
Duties and responsibilities of the position include: Conduct research on brain health and/or healthy aging in rural populations, aligned with the mission and vision of the MK-MDT and the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. Seek extramural funding from NIH and other agencies to support research activities. Participate in collaborative interdisciplinary team science with MK-MDT faculty, including active contributions to community engagement, workshops, and funding applications.
Contribute to teaching and service at the University of Minnesota Medical School on the Duluth campus and its mission in rural and Indigenous health. Mentor students, post-doctoral fellows, and research staff. Be active in the production of peer-reviewed publications, community reports, presentations at professional conferences and engagement with community groups. Lead the MK-MDT Rural Health Initiatives using community-based approaches to engage rural communities in projects concerning healthy brain aging and the prevention, diagnosis and care for people with dementia in rural communities.
Salary is commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will be appointed as faculty to the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team – Health Equity, with their academic home in the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health or Biomedical Sciences, as appropriate, onsite at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus.
The mission of the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team is to support an environment of Team Science to conduct community-based participatory action research on dementia in Indigenous and rural communities with the aim of achieving health equity.
The mission of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
We do this by:
- Educating medical students dedicated to serving rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native communities
- Fostering excellence in research
- Emphasizing the training of physicians in Family Medicine
- Creating strong partnerships locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
- Working in innovative, interdisciplinary and inter-professional teams
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.
This position will remain open until filled.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)
The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.
Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
Duluth, Minnesota, is a cultural center that boasts a wealth of fine art and performance offerings, as well as outdoor beauty. Natural history and art museums abound, along with a symphony orchestra and musical talents from numerous performers across many genres.
In 2014, Duluth was voted Outside magazine's best outdoors town in America. Minnesota’s City on the Hill claims 6,834 acres of city parkland, 129 Parks, 11,000 acres of green space, 12 miles of paved, accessible trails, 85 miles of bike-optimized, multi-use trails, 150 miles of unpaved hiking trails, and 16 designated trout streams. It is also the southern terminus of the Superior Hiking Trails. During winter months Spirit Mountain features skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, alpine coaster, snow tubing and Nordic trails. Duluth has recently been characterized as a climate change refuge by CNN and The New York Times.
See All 6 Research Director Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across Minnesota.
- Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant research discipline required
- Minimum seven to ten years of progressive research experience, including team leadership
- Demonstrated record of securing external grants or managing large-scale research budgets
- Deep subject-matter expertise in clinical, social science, or applied research methods
- Experience presenting findings to executive stakeholders, boards, or regulatory bodies
- Proficiency with research management platforms and institutional review board processes
Research Director Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in Minnesota?
Most research directors in Minnesota hold a doctoral degree in their field along with several years of progressively senior research roles. In clinical or healthcare research settings, familiarity with IRB protocols and compliance requirements specific to Minnesota health institutions is expected. In nonprofit or government contexts, demonstrated grant management experience carries significant weight. Many Minnesota employers promote from within, so building expertise as a senior researcher or program evaluator at a university, health system, or research organization is the most common path.
How much do research directors make in Minnesota?
Research directors in Minnesota earn a median of about $136,450 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,050 for the lowest 10% to over $289,790 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in Minnesota?
Companies currently hiring research directors in Minnesota include TEGNA, CentraCare, and Dairy Management, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Minnesota's concentration of large health systems, research universities, and Fortune 500 headquarters means demand for research leadership is spread across multiple sectors rather than any single industry.
Which Minnesota cities have the most research director jobs?
The cities with the most research director openings in Minnesota are Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Duluth. The Twin Cities metro dominates because it is home to the University of Minnesota's flagship research campus, major health systems including Fairview and Allina Health, and corporate research operations at companies like 3M and UnitedHealth Group, while Rochester draws openings through Mayo Clinic's extensive clinical and translational research programs.
Are there remote research director jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, and more than many leadership roles, since research directors in policy, market research, and program evaluation can often work remotely. About 100% of research director openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting growing flexibility at the senior level. The functions most likely to allow remote work include grant writing, data oversight, and strategic planning, while lab-based or clinical research roles typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a research director in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates without director-level experience is to move into a senior researcher, research manager, or program evaluator role at a Minnesota university, health system, or public agency first. The University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic both run postdoctoral and research associate programs that build the credentials and networks needed for leadership roles. Lateral moves from adjacent positions such as clinical research coordinator, policy analyst, or data science manager can also open the door, particularly when paired with a relevant advanced degree.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location preferences.
See All 6 Research Director Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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