Research Director – Industry Contracts, Health Programs

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan with university

Tuition assistance programs

Paid leave and holidays

Job summary

Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago seeks a Research Director, Industry Contracts & Health Programs, to provide scientific and operational leadership for externally funded projects and research initiatives. You will oversee grant development, contract execution, and supervision of research staff to ensure high-quality scholarly and applied outcomes.

The role requires a Ph.D. in a related field, 15+ years of experience, and a proven track record in securing external funding, with strong

Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in a related field is required.
• 15+ years of relevant experience and accomplishments.
• Experience securing external research funding and leading grants.
• Experience supervising research personnel and teams.
• Strong scientific, analytical, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of funded research projects.
• Supervise research scientists, project coordinators, postdocs, students, and staff.
• Support laboratory operations and related research activities.
• Develop and support grant, contract, and externally funded opportunities.
• Disseminate findings through publications, conferences, and reports.
• Develop budgets and manage timelines, deliverables, and compliance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Research collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in nutrition/food science/biology/zoology

Tools

Microsoft Office

CITI training

Job description

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Research Director, Industry Contracts & Health Programs

Research Director, Industry Contracts & Health Programs

Position Details

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: Illinois Tech, Michael Paul Galvin Tower, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Limited travel may be required to the Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH), 6502 S. Archer Rd., Bedford Park, IL 60501, based on operational and research needs.

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, Industry Contracts & Health Programs provides scientific and operational leadership in alignment with the IFSH Center for Nutrition Research strategic initiatives and research portfolio. This includes externally funded projects, faculty collaborations, and developing new revenue streams to support program goals and deliverables.

The Research Director will oversee project execution, support grant and contract development and implementation, supervise research and training staff, and ensure the production of high-quality scholarly and applied research. The Research Director will lead research initiatives as determined by the strategic plan and provide scientific advice to the IFSH Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Research 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, students, and other assigned personnel, including performance management and professional development.
• Support laboratory operations and related research activities.
• Develop and support grant, contract, and other externally funded opportunities that advance research programs and generate new revenue streams.
• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, national and international conferences, reports, briefs, and stakeholder presentations.
• Develop project budgets and guide resource allocation while managing timelines, deliverables, reporting obligations, and compliance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in nutrition, food science, biology, zoology, or a related field, with 15+ years of relevant experience and accomplishments.
• Experience serving as a Principal Investigator (PI) on significant grants and/or managing multiple contract research projects.
• Demonstrated success securing external research funding and producing scholarly publications.
• Experience supervising and developing research personnel.
• Strong scientific, analytical, problem-solving, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other relevant research and administrative software.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in scientific records, reports, and technical documentation.
• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a clinical or medical facility and conducting related research.

Service Standards and Performance Expectations

• Produces high-quality scientific research, documentation, and project deliverables.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely scientific records, reports, and related documentation.
• Proactively addresses scientific, operational, and stakeholder needs.
• Effectively manages priorities, timelines, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Works collaboratively and professionally with university colleagues, sponsors, industry and government partners, research collaborators, and other stakeholders.

Supervision & Budget Authority

• Supervises approximately 7-10 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, and related research settings.
• Approximately 60% of work is performed in an office environment.
• 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 laboratory equipment.
• 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.