Research Director Jobs in New York
Research Director jobs in New York are among the most actively sought senior roles in the country, concentrated in academic research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, public health agencies, and major financial services organizations, with openings at the director level through senior vice president. The largest hiring metros are New York City, Buffalo, and Albany, where institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University, and Pfizer maintain deep research leadership pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are clinical research, policy research, and market and consumer insights. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At American Express, UX Research shapes experiences grounded in deep customer understanding. As artificial intelligence transforms how people discover, decide, and take action, we are advancing our research capabilities to understand the evolving relationships between people and intelligent systems.
We are seeking a Principal UX Researcher who combines exceptional qualitative research expertise, strategic thinking, and methodological innovation to shape how American Express understands, designs, and evaluates AI-powered and agentic experiences. As a senior individual contributor, this person will lead complex research initiatives, influence consequential product and experience decisions, and advance research practices and capabilities across the organization.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished strategic researcher with deep mastery of generative and exploratory qualitative research, exceptional synthesis and storytelling skills, and demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders. They bring intellectual curiosity, original thinking, and the judgment to navigate complex, ambiguous research challenges. They will elevate research excellence across teams through thought leadership, mentorship, and the development of innovative methods and frameworks that advance the practice.
- 10+ years of UX research or applied research experience, with a substantial track record leading complex, strategically significant generative research programs.
- Recognized expertise in qualitative research, including advanced interviewing, contextual inquiry, research design, and interpretive synthesis, with demonstrated ability to develop original insights and conceptual frameworks.
- Demonstrated experience researching AI-powered, conversational, adaptive, or similarly complex emerging technologies, with a strong understanding of the methodological challenges associated with intelligent systems.
- Proven ability to develop or substantially advance research methodologies, evaluation frameworks, or approaches that have influenced research practice beyond individual projects.
- Exceptional strategic judgment and demonstrated ability to influence director-, VP-, or executive-level stakeholders through compelling evidence, original thinking, and sophisticated storytelling.
- Experience providing research thought leadership across teams or complex programs, including guiding research direction, advising on methodological decisions, mentoring researchers, and elevating research standards.
- Strong quantitative literacy and ability to integrate qualitative research, behavioral analytics, survey data, customer feedback, and other evidence into strategically meaningful insights.
Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, challenge established assumptions, and connect customer understanding with business strategy, emerging technologies, and experience opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience researching generative AI, LLM-based experiences, autonomous agents, or human-AI collaboration.
- Experience evaluating trust, delegation, comprehension, customer control, and error recovery in AI-powered experiences.
- Experience developing reusable research methods or evaluation frameworks adopted across multiple product teams.
Experience in financial services or other complex, highly regulated environments.
Skills
- Strategic UX Research & Experience Strategy
- Expert Generative & Exploratory Qualitative Research
- Research Strategy & Intellectual Leadership
- Advanced Research Methodology & Innovation
- Human-AI Interaction & Agentic Experience Research
- AI Experience Evaluation & Measurement
- Advanced Research Synthesis & Evidence Triangulation
- Customer Mental Models & Behavioral Research
- Conceptual Framework Development & Strategic Insight
- Executive Influence & Strategic Storytelling
- Research Craft Leadership & Mentorship
Enterprise Research Capability Development
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.
As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.
We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
- Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
- Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
- 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
- Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
- Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
- Career development and training opportunities
For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site .
At American Express, UX Research shapes experiences grounded in deep customer understanding. As artificial intelligence transforms how people discover, decide, and take action, we are advancing our research capabilities to understand the evolving relationships between people and intelligent systems.
We are seeking a Principal UX Researcher who combines exceptional qualitative research expertise, strategic thinking, and methodological innovation to shape how American Express understands, designs, and evaluates AI-powered and agentic experiences. As a senior individual contributor, this person will lead complex research initiatives, influence consequential product and experience decisions, and advance research practices and capabilities across the organization.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished strategic researcher with deep mastery of generative and exploratory qualitative research, exceptional synthesis and storytelling skills, and demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders. They bring intellectual curiosity, original thinking, and the judgment to navigate complex, ambiguous research challenges. They will elevate research excellence across teams through thought leadership, mentorship, and the development of innovative methods and frameworks that advance the practice.
- 10+ years of UX research or applied research experience, with a substantial track record leading complex, strategically significant generative research programs.
- Recognized expertise in qualitative research, including advanced interviewing, contextual inquiry, research design, and interpretive synthesis, with demonstrated ability to develop original insights and conceptual frameworks.
- Demonstrated experience researching AI-powered, conversational, adaptive, or similarly complex emerging technologies, with a strong understanding of the methodological challenges associated with intelligent systems.
- Proven ability to develop or substantially advance research methodologies, evaluation frameworks, or approaches that have influenced research practice beyond individual projects.
- Exceptional strategic judgment and demonstrated ability to influence director-, VP-, or executive-level stakeholders through compelling evidence, original thinking, and sophisticated storytelling.
- Experience providing research thought leadership across teams or complex programs, including guiding research direction, advising on methodological decisions, mentoring researchers, and elevating research standards.
- Strong quantitative literacy and ability to integrate qualitative research, behavioral analytics, survey data, customer feedback, and other evidence into strategically meaningful insights.
Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, challenge established assumptions, and connect customer understanding with business strategy, emerging technologies, and experience opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience researching generative AI, LLM-based experiences, autonomous agents, or human-AI collaboration.
- Experience evaluating trust, delegation, comprehension, customer control, and error recovery in AI-powered experiences.
- Experience developing reusable research methods or evaluation frameworks adopted across multiple product teams.
Experience in financial services or other complex, highly regulated environments.
Skills
- Strategic UX Research & Experience Strategy
- Expert Generative & Exploratory Qualitative Research
- Research Strategy & Intellectual Leadership
- Advanced Research Methodology & Innovation
- Human-AI Interaction & Agentic Experience Research
- AI Experience Evaluation & Measurement
- Advanced Research Synthesis & Evidence Triangulation
- Customer Mental Models & Behavioral Research
- Conceptual Framework Development & Strategic Insight
- Executive Influence & Strategic Storytelling
- Research Craft Leadership & Mentorship
Enterprise Research Capability Development
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.
As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.
We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
- Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
- Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
- 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
- Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
- Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
- Career development and training opportunities
For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site .
See All 50 Research Director Jobs in New York
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Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Insurance
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across New York.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant research field required by most New York employers
- Seven or more years of progressive research experience with at least two in a leadership role
- Demonstrated ability to design, oversee, and publish original research projects at scale
- Experience managing cross-functional research teams and external academic or agency partners
- Strong command of quantitative and qualitative methodologies appropriate to the sector
- Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or comparable analytical platforms
Research Director Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in New York?
Most research directors in New York hold at least a master's degree, and many in academic medical centers or public health carry a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree. There is no single state-issued license for the role, but researchers working in clinical or health-related fields often need IRB certification and may require New York State Department of Health compliance training. Career progression typically moves from research associate or analyst through senior researcher and manager before reaching director level at a New York institution or company.
How much do research directors make in New York?
Research directors in New York earn a median of about $134,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,440 for the lowest 10% to over $291,780 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in New York?
Employers hiring research directors in New York right now include JPMorganChase, Mount Sinai Health System, and University of Rochester, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New York's mix of world-class academic medical centers, global pharmaceutical headquarters, and major financial and media firms means demand for research leadership is spread across multiple distinct sectors rather than concentrated in a single industry.
Which New York cities have the most research director jobs?
New York, Rochester, and Brooklyn have the most research director openings in New York. New York City dominates the count because it anchors the state's academic medical complex, financial services sector, and headquarters for major consumer and media research operations, while Buffalo and Albany draw openings from university research centers, state government agencies, and regional healthcare networks.
Are there remote research director jobs in New York?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 71% of research director openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the analytical and strategic nature of the role. Positions focused on market research, policy analysis, and data-driven strategy tend to be the most remote-eligible, while roles tied to laboratory oversight or clinical operations typically require an on-site presence in New York.
How can I get hired as a research director in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving up from a senior research analyst or research manager role at a New York institution, where you build the team leadership and project oversight experience employers expect at the director level. Major New York academic medical centers such as NYU Langone and NewYork-Presbyterian run research coordinator and junior investigator programs that serve as structured pipelines. Building a record of published or presented findings and earning an IRB certification strengthens candidacy considerably when making the move from researcher to director.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current New York openings updated regularly. Search the listings to see roles that match your background and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No profile creation or sign-up is required to view and apply to the positions listed.
See All 50 Research Director Jobs in New York
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