Research Director Jobs in New Jersey

Research Director jobs in New Jersey are in strong demand, concentrated in pharmaceuticals and life sciences, academic research, and public policy, with openings at every level from newly promoted associate director through senior enterprise leadership. The busiest hiring markets are Princeton, New Brunswick, and Newark, anchored by major institutions and corporations such as Johnson and Johnson, Rutgers University, and Merck. The most in-demand specialties are clinical research, health policy, and biomedical research management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles24
Top employerNS Pharma
Top cityNewark, NJ
Cities hiring16
Work type38% On-site
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 24+ Research Director jobs

Managing Editor & Director – ADP Research
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Managing Editor & Director – ADP Research
ADP
Roseland, New Jersey
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Learning & Development
$115k - $214k/yr
Bachelor's degree in communications
10,000+

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Senior Principal Scientist (Senior Director), Clinical Research, Breast Cancer
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Added 2w ago
Senior Principal Scientist (Senior Director), Clinical Research, Breast Cancer
Merck
Rahway, New Jersey
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Marketing
$282k - $444k/yr
10,000+

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Director Research
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Added 3w ago
Director Research
Cooper Norcross Health
Camden, New Jersey
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Research & Academia
Master's degree in health science
10,000+

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Director, IT Business Partner - Academics & Research
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Added 3w ago
Director, IT Business Partner - Academics & Research
Hackensack Meridian Health
Iselin, New Jersey
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
Master's degree in business administration

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PGIM Quantitative Solutions, Equity Research Director
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Added 1mo ago
PGIM Quantitative Solutions, Equity Research Director
Prudential
Newark, New Jersey
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$160k - $170k/yr
Remote (US)
10,000+

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See All 24 Research Director Jobs in New Jersey

Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Research Director Jobs by City in New Jersey

Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Newark
3 jobs
Princeton
3 jobs
Camden
2 jobs
Paramus
2 jobs
Piscataway
2 jobs
Jersey City
2 jobs
Clark
1 job
Iselin
1 job
Rahway
1 job

Research Director Job Market in New Jersey

A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

NS Pharma2 open roles
Colgate-Palmolive2 open roles
RWJBarnabas Health2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Energy
  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Electronics & Hardware

What New Jersey Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across New Jersey.

  • Advanced degree such as a PhD or master's in a relevant research discipline required
  • Minimum seven to ten years of progressive research experience with demonstrated leadership
  • Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary research teams and cross-functional projects
  • Experience overseeing budgets, grant applications, and regulatory compliance processes
  • Strong record of peer-reviewed publication or commercialized research outcomes
  • Familiarity with IRB protocols and federal research compliance standards in New Jersey institutions

Research Director Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research director in New Jersey?

Most research directors in New Jersey reach the role through a combination of a doctoral or master's degree in their field and several years leading research teams or programs. There is no single state-issued license for the title, but roles in clinical or health-related research typically require familiarity with New Jersey Department of Health research compliance standards and IRB certification. Candidates with experience at major New Jersey research universities or pharmaceutical companies move into director roles most reliably.

How much do research directors make in New Jersey?

Research directors in New Jersey earn a median of about $207,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $136,840 for the lowest 10% to over $317,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire research directors in New Jersey?

Employers hiring research directors in New Jersey right now include NS Pharma, Colgate-Palmolive, and RWJBarnabas Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters and research universities means demand is particularly consistent in the Princeton corridor and the greater New Brunswick area.

Which New Jersey cities have the most research director jobs?

The cities with the most research director openings in New Jersey are Newark, Princeton, and Camden. Princeton and New Brunswick lead because of the pharmaceutical industry cluster and Rutgers University's research enterprise, while Newark draws openings from healthcare systems and public policy organizations headquartered in the metro.

Are there remote research director jobs in New Jersey?

Yes, and more than many senior roles, since research directors often focus on strategy, oversight, and reporting rather than hands-on lab work. About 63% of research director openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the analytical and managerial nature of the position. The functions most commonly performed remotely include grant writing, data analysis oversight, and cross-team program management.

How can I get hired as a research director in New Jersey with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into a research manager or senior research associate role first, then building toward a director title over time. Large New Jersey employers such as Rutgers University and the major pharmaceutical companies in the Princeton corridor regularly hire research coordinators and project managers who advance internally. Completing an IRB certification and building a record of contributed publications or completed grant cycles gives candidates a concrete edge when applying to director-track positions.

Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in New Jersey?

You can find and apply to research director jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find a role that fits and apply directly.

See All 24 Research Director Jobs in New Jersey

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