Sr Research Scientist 3

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life ins.

Tuition remission and dependent ed.

Job summary

The University of New Mexico's Center for Development and Disability seeks a Sr Research Scientist 3 to lead and execute its strategic public health research agenda in disability and maternal-child health. This role requires grant-writing, PI experience, and the ability to build and manage a research unit with cross-disciplinary staff.

Based at Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, the position is full-time staff with a monthly pay range and comprehensive benefits; term ends 2027-06-30, with

Qualifications

• Master's degree and at least 9 years of related research experience.
• Degree and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Provide broad leadership to establish and implement a multifaceted research program.
• Independently develop and extend the platform for meaningful, rigorous research.
• Demonstrate capacity as PI directing funded, community-based projects.
• Lead and manage the Center's research team and operations.
• Collaborate across public health, disability, and maternal-child research fields.

Skills

Grant writing

PI leadership

Data analysis

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree; at least 9 years of related experience

Job description

Requisition ID

req38230

Working Title

Sr Research Scientist 3

Position Grade

16

Position Summary

The Center for Development and Disability (CDD), established in 1990, is New Mexico's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service, authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, build the capacities of states and communities to respond to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

This position is for an independent researcher with an established track record of leading research efforts in public health, disability, and maternal-child/early child health that are community-based and reflect knowledge traditional research approaches as well as implementation science. This role will serve as a key leader at the UNM Center for Development and Disability (CDD) and will be responsible for developing and implementing the CDD's strategic research agenda and unit with creativity, novelty, evidence of planning/implementation capacity, and clear expertise in the content areas named above in order to establish national/international recognition for quality and impact. This position is sought at a critical time as the CDD has grown markedly in the past 5 years and the Center's readiness to expand our research footprint is established, but requires a dedicated leader to develop and guide our methods and overall strategy. This position requires grant-writing skills, experience as a principal investigator on research grants, and the ability to bring technical skills that include research design, data/statistical analysis, and the ability to lead and manage a research unit within the CDD. This position will also supervise other research, data and dissemination staff at the CDD.

• The ability to provide broad leadership and direction to establish and implement a multifaceted and advanced research program at the UNM Center for Development and Disability.
• Independently and creatively develop and extend the platform for meaningful, complex and rigorous research at the UNM CDD.
• Demonstrate the capacity for independent scientific decision-making and reputation as a recognized authority in public health, disability, and/or maternal-child/Early Childhood research.
• Demonstrated capacity as a principal investigator establishing the direction, scope, and funding base for an integrated group of research project.
• The ability to provide technical, organizational, and administrative management of the Center's research/investigative operations and team.
• Demonstrated capacity for collaboration, rigorous representation, and authoritative professional leadership with the public health, disability and/or maternal-child/early childhood fields.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment

• National certification specific to the field of research may be required in some cases.
• Successful candidate must submit to a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check. Additional health screenings may be required, dependent on the nature of the research conducted, as determined by Employee Occupational Health Services.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree; at least 9 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

***Address in your cover letter how your experience and skills align with our preferred qualifications***

Demonstrated independent experience as senior research leader with expertise in the areas of public health, disability, and/or maternal-child/early childhood health, including broad leadership in establishing/implementing an advanced, multifaceted research program.

Demonstrated capacity and technical skills to develop research grants/methodology and successfully obtain funding from a variety of sources; skills and experience as a PI who has repeatedly and successfully developed and implemented community-based research projects aligned with the CDD's core areas of expertise - and sustained funding for these efforts over time.

Significant experience analyzing data, preparing manuscripts, and presenting research findings at local, national and/or international meetings.

Experience leading a community-based research team successfully, including mentoring/supervising more junior researchers and other relevant research team members to grow the research capacity of the CDD over time.

Campus

Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM

Department

Pediatrics Center for Development (997H)

Employment Type

Staff

Staff Type

Term - Full-Time

Term End Date

06/30/2027

Status

Exempt

Pay

Monthly: $7,084.13 - $10,140.00

Benefits Eligible

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.

ERB Statement

As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required

Yes

For Best Consideration Date

10/19/2026

Eligible for Hiring Incentive

No

Eligible for Remote Work

No

Veteran Preference Program

Positions posted with a Staff Type Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

Background Check Policy

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.