Research Director Jobs at Illinois Tech | Select Agent Program
Overview
As Research Director, you will own the External Contracts & Select Agent Program at IFSH, a secure research facility. You will lead a team of 4-7 scientists, manage a portfolio of funded projects, and serve as Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Moffett Campus Select Agent Program. Your work will focus on inactivation studies, high-pressure processing (HPP) validations, and pilot plant operations. You will also drive grant development and ensure compliance with regulatory and security requirements. This role stands out for its dual focus on high-impact research leadership and biosafety oversight.
What You'll Do8
- 1Build and manage a portfolio of funded research projects, from design through implementation and evaluation, including inactivation studies and HPP validations.
- 2Lead a team of research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and students, setting performance goals and fostering professional growth.
- 3Oversee pilot plant operations and ensure adherence to Select Agent Program regulations as the ARO, including security, compliance, and documentation.
- 4Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences, translating research into actionable insights for stakeholders.
- 5Direct project budgets, allocate resources, and track timelines and deliverables, ensuring alignment with university, sponsor, and regulatory standards.
- 6Collaborate with faculty and external partners to develop grant proposals and secure new funding opportunities.
- 7Review and approve scientific documentation, maintaining meticulous records for audits and regulatory inspections.
- 8Drive continuous improvement in research processes, integrating emerging technologies like HPP and thermal processing retorts.
Requirements8
- 1Ph.D. in a STEM field with 15+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2Track record as Principal Investigator on major grants or managing multiple contract research projects.
- 3Proven success in securing external funding and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
- 4Experience supervising and developing research personnel, with a focus on mentoring.
- 5Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
- 6Proficiency with Microsoft Office and scientific documentation tools.
- 7Ability to meet and maintain security clearance for a secure research facility, including Select Agent access.
- 8Physical capability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in laboratory and pilot plant settings.
Salary Insight
$120 - $180k per year
Location
Required Skills
Similar open positions
Explore active roles that match your skills and interests.
Illinois Institute of Technology
VerifiedResearch Director Training Proficiency Testing Programs
Innovation leader shaping training and testing programs at Illinois Tech. Drive curriculum development and research initiatives. Lead teams to achieve academic and operational excellence.
Research Scientist Manager Climate and Energy
Lead a team of researchers and engineers to transform complex energy challenges into validated technical solutions. Manage research labs and drive scaling from proof-of-concept to deployment while maintaining objectivity in project evaluation. This role focuses on accelerating breakthroughs in fusion energy storage and high-risk projects through hands-on experimentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Illinois Institute of Technology
VerifiedCross Country Track Field Coach Illinois Tech
Lead and develop elite men's and women's cross country and track & field programs at Illinois Institute of Technology. Oversee recruitment administration and coaching while ensuring compliance with NCAA and NAAC regulations. Seek a leader with strong organizational skills and a passion for student-athlete development.
The University of Texas at Austin
VerifiedProject Manager, Construction Research Institute
Project Manager at the Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin. Own the full research portfolio for 100+ member organizations, coordinating projects that improve capital project management. Manage research data in Salesforce and build dashboards in Power BI to track milestones, budgets, and member engagement. Collaborate with academic researchers and industry leaders to deliver applied research that shapes construction practices globally. This role drives high-impact research from ideation to publication, with direct influence on industry standards.
The University of Pittsburgh
VerifiedSenior Research Scientist Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Lead representation at scientific meetings. Collaborate on strategic initiatives across Precision Medicine International Initiatives Primary Care and Precision Community Engagement. Lead grant writing for R01 projects. Oversee research design and manage diverse student and staff teams. Provide opportunities for patient exposure in clinical and research settings. Complete CITI modules and obtain UPMC EHR access.
Illinois Institute of Technology
VerifiedAssociate Professor of Design, Human-Centered Design
You will own the design curriculum at Illinois Tech's School of Design and Society, teaching undergraduate studios and project-based courses at scale. You will join a team of designers and educators shaping resilient, equitable environments through human-centered design and systems thinking. This role bridges architecture and design, offering hands-on mentorship and leadership in the IPRO program. What makes this role distinct is the chance to build curriculum from the ground up, with no administrative overhead.