Research Director, External Contracts – Select Agent Program

Illinois Institute of Technology; Bedford Park (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Illinois Institute of Technology seeks a Research Director, External Contracts & Select Agent Program to provide scientific and operational leadership for funded projects. Responsibilities include overseeing project execution, grant development, supervising staff, and ensuring high-quality research outputs with compliance and security clearances.

The role emphasizes strategic program leadership, budget oversight, and collaboration with sponsors and university partners in a fully on-site setting

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with 15+ years of relevant experience or equivalent
• Experience as Principal Investigator (PI) on major grants or managing multiple contract research projects
• Proven success securing external funding and publishing scholarly work
• Experience supervising and developing research personnel; strong problem-solving, communication, organizational and project management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and scientific documentation
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in research records and reporting

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage a portfolio of funded research projects through design, implementation and evaluation
• Supervise research scientists, coordinators, postdocs and students with performance management
• Support pilot plant operations and AR0 role for Select Agent Program and regulatory requirements
• Disseminate findings through journals and conferences and prepare reports for stakeholders
• Guide budgets and resources while meeting timelines and deliverables

Skills

Grant management

Project leadership

Team supervision

MS Office

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in STEM

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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Research Director, External Contracts & Select Agent Program

Compensation: $120,000–$180,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Position Type/Schedule: Full-time, exempt. Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekend work and work-related travel may be required based on operational needs. This position is fully on-site; remote work is not available.

Work Location: Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH), 6502 S. Archer Rd., Bedford Park, IL 60501.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Illinois Tech is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment-based visa for this position.

Summary

The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) Research Director, External Contracts & Select Agent Program provides scientific and operational leadership in alignment with IFSH strategic initiatives and its portfolio of funded research projects and grants, while serving as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Moffett Campus Select Agent Program. This work includes externally funded projects, faculty collaborations, and leading a team to meet established goals and deliverables.

The Research Director will oversee project execution, support grant and contract development and implementation, supervise training and research staff, and ensure the production of high-quality scholarly and applied research. The Research Director will lead various aspects of research, particularly inactivation studies, high-pressure processing (HPP) validations, pilot plant activities, and related research initiatives, and will provide scientific advice to the IFSH Executive Director and research team. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must satisfy and maintain all applicable security clearance and access requirements associated with working in a secure research facility.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of funded research projects through the design, implementation, and evaluation of research programs.
• Supervise research scientists, project coordinators, postdoctoral fellows, and students, including performance management and professional development.
• Support pilot plant operations and related research activities, including responsibilities associated with serving as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Moffett Campus Select Agent Program and supporting applicable regulatory, security, and compliance requirements.
• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed journals and national and international conferences, and develop reports, briefs, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Guide and develop project budgets and resource allocation in alignment with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements while managing project timelines, deliverables, and reporting obligations.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field or related discipline, with 15+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience serving as a Principal Investigator (PI) on significant grants and/or managing multiple contract research project.
• Demonstrated success securing external research funding and publishing scholarly work.
• Experience supervising and developing research personnel.Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and scientific documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in research records and reporting.

Service Standards and Performance Expectations

• Produces high-quality scientific research, documentation, and project deliverables.
• Maintains accurate and timely records, reports, and laboratory documentation.
• Proactively addresses scientific, operational, and stakeholder needs.
• Manages assigned priorities, timelines, and deliverables effectively.
• Works collaboratively with university colleagues, sponsors, research partners, and other stakeholders.

Supervision & Budget Authority

• Supervises approximately 4–7 research scientists, including exempt and non-exempt employees.
• May provide direction to postdoctoral fellows and students assigned to research projects.
• Manages assigned project budgets and has spending authority of up to $5,000, consistent with university and project requirements.

Physical Qualifications

Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with additional time spent in laboratory, training, pilot plant, and related research settings. The position requires regular computer and documentation work, walking throughout research facilities, occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds, and may involve operating or overseeing specialized research and pilot plant equipment, including high-pressure processing (HPP) systems and thermal processing retorts.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.

Benefits

Illinois Tech offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees; tuition assistance programs; flexible spending and commuter benefits; an employee assistance program; university holidays; and applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits. Eligibility, waiting periods, employee contributions, and coverage levels vary by benefit and position. Additional information is available at https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits.

EEO Statement

Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion, and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.