Research Director, Drug Discovery & Lab Technology Solutions

IDC; United States; Remote; USD 130,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Holidays (12)

Sick days

Health, dental, vision

Floating holidays

Volunteer day

401(k) match

Short-term disability

Life insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

IDC seeks a Research Director to lead its drug discovery and laboratory technology research, shaping agenda, thought leadership, and client engagements for enterprise life sciences clients and technology vendors.

You’ll translate complex scientific and tech trends into actionable market insights, partnering with senior industry leaders and presenting at top conferences. This role blends deep science with strategic business acumen and client-facing leadership.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences or related field with professional R&D experience.
• At least 7 years in drug discovery research, lab informatics, or life sciences R&D.
• Experience with LIMS/ELN/SDMS and lab automation to support enterprise clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop and publish a compelling research agenda and flagship publications.
• Communicate AI/ML trends and digital lab transformation to senior client executives.
• Scale the program’s client base with sales and marketing support.
• Deliver presentations at industry conferences and senior stakeholder meetings.
• Design and analyze surveys on drug discovery tech adoption and lab modernization.
• Engage with clients on custom research projects including vendor assessments.

Skills

LIMS

ELN

SDMS

Lab automation

Robotics

AI/ML-enabled discovery

Digital lab transformation

Data analytics

Cloud-based R&D platforms

Data integration

AI tools

Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Education

Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences / related field

Tools

Laboratory software vendors

Job description

About The Role & Team

This position leads IDC’s research coverage of drug discovery and laboratory technology—a fast-evolving domain spanning AI/ML-enabled discovery platforms, laboratory informatics (LIMS, ELN, SDMS), lab automation and robotics, and the digital lab strategies reshaping how pharmaceutical, biotech, and CROs accelerate the path from target identification to development. As Research Director, you’ll develop and champion a cutting‑edge research agenda that influences both technology vendor strategy and buyer decision‑making, establish thought leadership through flagship publications and industry presentations, and scale IDC’s advisory footprint with enterprise life sciences clients and technology providers. You’ll partner with senior industry leaders, present at premier drug discovery and lab technology conferences, and shape industry conversation on emerging AI‑driven discovery methods and digital lab modernization. This role uniquely combines deep technical understanding of drug discovery science and laboratory technology with strategic business acumen, strong client‑facing leadership skills, and the opportunity to influence how the industry approaches lab transformation. Ideal for someone passionate about translating complex scientific and technology trends into actionable market insights and driving industry transformation.

What You’ll Do

• Develop a compelling research agenda. Publish thought leadership research for technology vendors and buyers across drug discovery and lab technology markets.
• Demonstrate thought leadership in this space and communicate to senior client executives the importance of new trends shaping AI/ML‑enabled drug discovery, laboratory automation, digital lab transformation, and lab data and analytics.
• Scale the research program’s client base. Engage with sales and marketing to support business development and raise the visibility of the program
• Develop and deliver presentations to senior industry stakeholders; present at industry conferences (e.g., Lab of the Future, AIDD, Discovery on Target)
• Participate in survey design and analysis, collaborating with IDC’s primary researchers to develop, execute, and publish relevant survey findings on drug discovery technology adoption and lab modernization
• Engage with clients on custom research projects, including vendor assessments and technology strategy advisory engagements
• Serve as a spokesperson for the program, engage with the press

What You Bring

• Required degree or certifications (e.g., Bachelor’s in a relevant field, specific certifications): Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, or a related field, paired with professional experience in drug discovery research, laboratory technology, or life sciences R&D. Desired certifications include certification or training in LIMS/ELN administration, laboratory informatics, bioinformatics, cheminformatics
• Required years of relevant work experience, including any specific industries: At least 7 years of experience in drug discovery research, laboratory tech/informatics, or life sciences R&D, including experience working with lab software vendors, or covering these vendors and advising life sciences organizations on lab / drug discovery strategy
• Essential technical skills (e.g., software proficiency, technical competencies):
  • Drug Discovery Science: Target identification, high‑throughput screening, computational/AI‑driven drug design, and translational research methods.
  • Laboratory Technology & Digital Lab: LIMS, ELN, scientific data management systems (SDMS), lab automation and robotics, and IoT‑enabled instrumentation.
  • R&D Data & Analytics: Cloud‑based R&D platforms, data integration across the discovery‑to‑development pipeline, and applied AI/ML in life sciences R&D.
  • Market & Competitive Analysis: Ability to track the vendor landscape, assess market sizing, and build forecasts for drug discovery and lab technology markets.
  • Cross‑functional expertise: Experience working with R&D, IT, regulatory, and commercial teams within pharmaceutical, biotech, or CRO organizations
  • Scientific expertise: Understanding of the drug discovery and development pipeline, laboratory operations, and life sciences R&D workflows
  • Data management: Experience with scientific databases, R&D data platforms, and cloud/AI‑enabled lab systems
  • Expertise in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, AI tools
• Personal attributes that align with the position (e.g., adaptability, problem‑solving abilities): Excellent presentation skills, ability to think out‑of‑the‑box, an analytical and curious mindset, good listening skills, and an ability to challenge the status quo, strategic thinking and business acumen, stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate shifting timelines and prioritize effectively.
• Percentage of travel required: 35%
• Desired work model: Remote

Why This Role Stands Out

At IDC, your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious, high‑caliber colleagues who value rigor, integrity, and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy, investment, and innovation across industries and regions. Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective, we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work, backed by a culture that supports growth, collaboration, and long‑term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

• 15 vacation days (prorated based on start date)
• 12 company‑paid holidays
• 6 paid sick days (prorated based on start date; may vary by state)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 2 floating holidays (prorated based on start date)
• 1 volunteer day
• 401(k) company match (IDC matches 3% on the first 6% of employee contributions)
• Company‑paid short‑term disability
• Company‑paid life insurance
• Company‑paid parental leave

Compensation Transparency

At IDC, we are committed to fair and equitable pay practices. Employees are compensated equitably for their work, aligned with their skills and experience. Salary and incentive structures are determined through a rigorous process that considers experience, education, certifications, role‑specific requirements, internal equity, and verified U.S. market data from an independent third‑party partner.

The expected total annual compensation, depending on location and experience, is between

$130,000-$174,000, inclusive of base salary and variable compensation.

If this role relocates to a different country, the salary range will be updated to reflect that country’s range, rather than a currency conversion of the original range.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E‑Verify.

IDC is currently able to employ remote workers in the following states: Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Washington D.C. (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Kansas (KS), Massachusetts (MA), Maryland (MD), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MO), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Ohio (OH), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Virginia (VA), Vermont (VT), Washington (WA), and Wisconsin (WI).