Research Director Jobs in North Carolina
Research Director jobs in North Carolina are in consistent demand, with activity concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and biotech development, public health, and clinical trials across a market that accommodates both mid-career professionals and senior-level leaders. The heaviest hiring is in the Research Triangle Park area, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem, where institutions and companies like RTI International, Duke University Health System, and Labcorp maintain ongoing research operations. The most sought-after specialties are clinical research, health policy research, and applied social science research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
OfficeJob Description
As the clinical research division of Thermo Fisher Scientific, PPD has launched Patient First, a group dedicated to enhancing the patient experience from the first click to the final visit. Utilizing human-centered, digitally enabled solutions, Patient First optimizes patient recruitment and engagement, site operations, and quality data collection.
Step into a high-impact role where strategy, innovation, and human-centered thinking converge. As the Associate Director, Strategy & Insights, you will be a strategic driving force within the team -shaping how patients engage with clinical research and redefining what “patient first” truly means in this digital era.
In this prominent position, you’ll serve as a trusted expert and visionary leader, crafting bold, patient-centric recruitment and engagement strategies that empower individuals, support diverse communities, and accelerate our clients’ research and drug development goals. Your contributions will help ensure we are identifying, matching, and enrolling the right participants through cutting-edge, compassionate approaches that elevate the patient experience from start to finish.
What You’ll Do:
Transform Client Needs Into Strategy
Analyze client RFPs to uncover strategic opportunities where Patient First methodologies can elevate study design, accelerate enrollment, and drive stronger trial performance.
Champion Patient-Centric Design
Evaluate study protocols and patient populations to develop tailored, evidence-based strategies that expand access, support diversity, reduce burden, and create sustainable, meaningful engagement.
Craft High-Impact Storytelling
Develop compelling, data-driven proposal content that clearly communicates the value, innovation, and measurable impact of Patient First strategies—shaping client decisions and inspiring confidence.
Lead Persuasive Client Engagements
Deliver clear, confident, and influential presentations of Patient First solutions during bid defenses and strategic discussions, positioning PFDS as a partner of choice.
Fuel Collaboration & Integration
Build strong cross-functional partnerships to embed Patient First principles across teams, strengthening alignment and elevating overall delivery excellence.
Be the Expert Others Rely On
Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and subject matter expert for clients and internal stakeholders—guiding best practices, influencing direction, and helping teams adopt a patient-first mindset.
Keys to Success:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
- Previous experience with patient recruitment and digital and decentralized solutions that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 8+ years’ experience).
- In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Deep expertise across the full clinical development lifecycle, including patient recruitment strategies and the implementation of digital and decentralized clinical trial solutions.
- Proven experience providing protocol review and consultancy, offering innovative, tailored operational approaches that enhance trial feasibility and efficiency.
- Strong cross-functional operational leadership, with the ability to anticipate the impact of changes across functions and confidently propose alternative, optimized operational strategies.
- Demonstrated success in the business development cycle, including serving in key leadership roles to drive growth, strategy, and partnership development.
- Analytical and solutions-oriented problem solver, skilled at translating complex program strategies into practical, actionable plans that deliver measurable outcomes.
- Ability to develop compelling arguments for the adoption of Patient-First technology solutions, supporting future innovation and advancing patient-centric clinical trial methodologies.
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we are committed to fostering a healthy and harmonious workplace for our employees. We understand the importance of creating an environment that allows individuals to excel. Please see below for the required qualifications for this position, which also includes the possibility of equivalent experience:
- Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
- Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours.
- Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
- Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.
- May require travel (0-25%).
Location: Remote for qualified candidates in the US (EST or CST preferred). Relocation assistance is NOT provided.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes drug screening.
The salary range estimated for this position in North Carolina is $125,000 - 180,000 USD. This position will also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. Actual compensation will be confirmed in writing at the time of offer.
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
OfficeJob Description
As the clinical research division of Thermo Fisher Scientific, PPD has launched Patient First, a group dedicated to enhancing the patient experience from the first click to the final visit. Utilizing human-centered, digitally enabled solutions, Patient First optimizes patient recruitment and engagement, site operations, and quality data collection.
Step into a high-impact role where strategy, innovation, and human-centered thinking converge. As the Associate Director, Strategy & Insights, you will be a strategic driving force within the team -shaping how patients engage with clinical research and redefining what “patient first” truly means in this digital era.
In this prominent position, you’ll serve as a trusted expert and visionary leader, crafting bold, patient-centric recruitment and engagement strategies that empower individuals, support diverse communities, and accelerate our clients’ research and drug development goals. Your contributions will help ensure we are identifying, matching, and enrolling the right participants through cutting-edge, compassionate approaches that elevate the patient experience from start to finish.
What You’ll Do:
Transform Client Needs Into Strategy
Analyze client RFPs to uncover strategic opportunities where Patient First methodologies can elevate study design, accelerate enrollment, and drive stronger trial performance.
Champion Patient-Centric Design
Evaluate study protocols and patient populations to develop tailored, evidence-based strategies that expand access, support diversity, reduce burden, and create sustainable, meaningful engagement.
Craft High-Impact Storytelling
Develop compelling, data-driven proposal content that clearly communicates the value, innovation, and measurable impact of Patient First strategies—shaping client decisions and inspiring confidence.
Lead Persuasive Client Engagements
Deliver clear, confident, and influential presentations of Patient First solutions during bid defenses and strategic discussions, positioning PFDS as a partner of choice.
Fuel Collaboration & Integration
Build strong cross-functional partnerships to embed Patient First principles across teams, strengthening alignment and elevating overall delivery excellence.
Be the Expert Others Rely On
Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and subject matter expert for clients and internal stakeholders—guiding best practices, influencing direction, and helping teams adopt a patient-first mindset.
Keys to Success:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
- Previous experience with patient recruitment and digital and decentralized solutions that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 8+ years’ experience).
- In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Deep expertise across the full clinical development lifecycle, including patient recruitment strategies and the implementation of digital and decentralized clinical trial solutions.
- Proven experience providing protocol review and consultancy, offering innovative, tailored operational approaches that enhance trial feasibility and efficiency.
- Strong cross-functional operational leadership, with the ability to anticipate the impact of changes across functions and confidently propose alternative, optimized operational strategies.
- Demonstrated success in the business development cycle, including serving in key leadership roles to drive growth, strategy, and partnership development.
- Analytical and solutions-oriented problem solver, skilled at translating complex program strategies into practical, actionable plans that deliver measurable outcomes.
- Ability to develop compelling arguments for the adoption of Patient-First technology solutions, supporting future innovation and advancing patient-centric clinical trial methodologies.
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we are committed to fostering a healthy and harmonious workplace for our employees. We understand the importance of creating an environment that allows individuals to excel. Please see below for the required qualifications for this position, which also includes the possibility of equivalent experience:
- Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
- Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours.
- Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
- Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.
- May require travel (0-25%).
Location: Remote for qualified candidates in the US (EST or CST preferred). Relocation assistance is NOT provided.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes drug screening.
The salary range estimated for this position in North Carolina is $125,000 - 180,000 USD. This position will also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. Actual compensation will be confirmed in writing at the time of offer.
See All 13 Research Director Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Education
- Consulting & Professional Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across North Carolina.
- Advanced degree such as a PhD or master's in a relevant research discipline required
- Proven experience leading research teams and managing multiyear research programs
- Strong record of peer-reviewed publication, grant writing, or funded research portfolio
- Experience with IRB protocols, regulatory compliance, and research ethics standards
- Familiarity with North Carolina university, government, or life sciences research environments preferred
- Proficiency in statistical analysis tools and research data management platforms
Research Director Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in North Carolina?
Most research director roles in North Carolina require an advanced degree, typically a PhD or master's in a relevant field such as public health, life sciences, social sciences, or a discipline aligned with the employer's research focus. North Carolina does not require a state-issued license specifically for research directors, but roles in clinical research often expect CCRP or CCRC credentials. Hiring institutions such as universities, health systems, and contract research organizations in the Research Triangle area prioritize candidates with demonstrated leadership over funded research programs.
How much do research directors make in North Carolina?
Research directors in North Carolina earn a median of about $173,870 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $101,810 for the lowest 10% to over $305,970 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in North Carolina?
Employers hiring research directors in North Carolina right now include IQVIA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Cambrex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's concentration of major research universities, global pharmaceutical companies, and public health organizations in the Research Triangle Park region makes it one of the more active markets for this role in the Southeast.
Which North Carolina cities have the most research director jobs?
Durham, Chapel Hill, and North Carolina are the North Carolina cities with the most research director openings. The Research Triangle area drives the majority of demand because of its dense cluster of universities, federal agencies, and life sciences employers, while Charlotte generates openings through its growing healthcare and financial research sectors and Winston-Salem benefits from large academic medical centers and health research institutions anchored there.
Are there remote research director jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many senior leadership roles, because research directors in policy, public health, and applied social science can manage teams and produce deliverables without a fixed on-site presence. About 86% of research director openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that demand across the state. Fully remote arrangements are most common in health policy research, program evaluation, and data-intensive roles where lab access or direct participant contact is not required.
How can I get hired as a research director in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a research director role from a senior researcher, research manager, or principal investigator position within a North Carolina institution. Large employers such as Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and RTI International regularly post research coordinator and associate research scientist roles that build toward director-level responsibility. Completing a postdoctoral appointment at a North Carolina research university, earning a CCRP credential, or building a grant portfolio through an assistant professor or staff scientist position can accelerate the transition into a director title.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 13 Research Director Jobs in North Carolina
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