Research Head

Daya Rehabilitation Trust; Kozhikode district; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Thanal seeks a Research Head to design and lead its inaugural research department, guiding a team across rehabilitation, social welfare, and community health. The role blends strategic mentorship with hands-on team building to deliver high-quality, actionable data.

You will establish SOPs, foster a data-driven culture, and drive longitudinal studies, grant acquisition, and dissemination through reports and publications.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in a relevant field with strong research track record.
• 8+ years in a research role, at least 3 years in leadership.
• Proven publishing in peer-reviewed journals; NGO experience preferred.
• Fluent in Malayalam and English for local/global reporting.
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods (SPSS, R, Stata).

Responsibilities

• Design and lead the establishment of Thanal’s inaugural research department.
• Develop SOPs for ethical data collection and governance.
• Build and mentor a core team of researchers and assistants.
• Lead research strategy: longitudinal studies and impact assessments.
• Identify grants and draft proposals to secure funding.
• Publish white papers and reports for national/international forums.

Skills

Qualitative & quantitative research

SPSS

R

Stata

Soft skills

Malayalam & English fluency

Education

PhD or Master’s in Social Sciences / Public Health / Psychology / Rehabilitation Science

Job description

• Industry Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
• Date Opened 24/03/2026
• Job Type Full time
• Work Experience 9 years
• Province Kerala
• Country India
• Postal Code 673009

Job Description

Research Head

Core Mission:To transition Thanal into a data-driven, research-oriented organization that validates its social impact through rigorous scientific inquiry.

1. Role Summary

The Research Head will lead the design and execution of Thanal’s inaugural research department. This role is dual-faceted: acting as a strategic mentor to existing functional heads to foster a "research mindset," while simultaneously building and managing a core team of researchers and assistants to produce high-quality, actionable data in the fields of rehabilitation, social welfare, and community health.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Organizational Transformation (The "Alignment" Phase)

Capacity Building:Conduct workshops for existing Functional Heads (Clinical, Operations, Social Work) to integrate data collection into their daily workflows.

Cultural Shift:Translate complex research goals into practical, everyday objectives that the team can rally behind.

Framework Development:Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for ethical data collection across all Thanal programs.

Recruitment:Identify, hire, and onboard a core research team, including Research Associates, Data Analysts, and Field Assistants.

Mentorship:Provide technical guidance to the team on methodology, literature reviews, and statistical analysis.

Performance Management:Set KPIs for the research team that align with Thanal’s 2026–2028 strategic goals.

C. Research Strategy & Execution

Design & Methodology:Lead the development of longitudinal studies and impact assessment frameworks for Thanal’s rehabilitation programs.

Grant Writing & Funding:Identify research grant opportunities and lead the drafting of proposals to secure external funding.

Publication & Advocacy:Oversee the drafting of white papers, journal articles, and reports to be presented at national and international forums.

Requirements

Education:Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Psychology, Rehabilitation Science, or a related field.

Experience:8+ years in a research-intensive role, with at least 3 years in a leadership position.

Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Experience in the NGO/Non-profit sector is highly preferred.

Skills:Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (SPSS, R, or Stata).

Exceptional "Soft Skills"—the ability to persuade and coach non-research staff.

Fluency in Malayalam and English is essential for local community engagement and global reporting.