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Associate Director Of Research Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Prominent Edge LLC

Director of R&D

Washington, DC

As Director, US R&D, you will build GovCloud-native engineering capability purpose-built to serve US federal customers at the highest classification levels. You will own the migration of a platform ...

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Associate Director Of Research information

What does an associate director of research do?

An Associate Director of Research leads and oversees research projects within an organization, working closely with research teams to set goals, manage budgets, and ensure the quality of research outputs. They often help develop research strategies, secure funding, and facilitate collaboration between departments or external partners. Additionally, they are responsible for mentoring junior researchers, ensuring compliance with regulations, and reporting research findings to stakeholders. Their role is crucial in advancing the organization's research objectives and maintaining high standards for scientific inquiry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate director of research?

To thrive as an Associate Director of Research, you typically need advanced research expertise, strong project management abilities, and a relevant postgraduate degree such as a Ph.D. or Master's. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R), research databases, and compliance with regulatory standards is often required. Leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure the successful execution of research initiatives, high-quality outputs, and alignment with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate director of research, and how can they be addressed?

Associate Directors of Research often navigate challenges such as balancing administrative duties with active research, managing diverse project teams, and aligning research goals with organizational objectives. Effective time management and clear communication are essential to oversee multiple projects while fostering a collaborative environment. Building strong relationships with stakeholders and mentoring junior researchers can also help address these challenges and contribute to the team's success.

What is the difference between Associate Director Of Research vs Research Scientist?

AspectAssociate Director Of ResearchResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree; often a PhD; leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's degree; PhD preferred in some cases
Work EnvironmentLeadership role in research teams; strategic planningHands-on research; experimental work
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, corporations, biotech, pharmaUniversities, research labs, industry R&D

The Associate Director Of Research typically oversees research projects, manages teams, and sets strategic goals, requiring leadership experience. In contrast, a Research Scientist focuses on conducting experiments and data analysis. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the Associate Director has more managerial responsibilities, making it a higher-level position within research organizations.

What are popular job titles related to Associate Director Of Research jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

For Associate Director Of Research jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Director Of Research jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Director Of Research jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Associate Director Of Research jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Associate Director Of Research job openings:

Associate Director Of Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Director Of Research job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Temporary. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution.

Director of Research

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Washington, DC • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Director of Research
FDD is seeking a full-time Director of Research. The director plays a key leadership and management role within the FDD Research Department in addition to conducting research and publishing widely in their chosen area of expertise. The director reports to the Vice President of Research.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the FDD editorial team, ensuring the overall quality of all FDD publications in terms of both their substance and fluidity of prose.
  • Manage editorial workflow for short- and long-form publications.
  • Supervise and ensure the professional development of FDD's research analysts. Help refine their research and writing skills and evaluate their output.
  • Facilitate the adoption of AI tools to conduct original research while ensuring analytical rigor and integrity.
  • Coordinate with the FDD communications team to help experts publicize their research via print, online, and broadcast media.
  • Conduct research and publish widely in a chosen area of expertise.
  • Fellows are expected to produce and publicize research that has a tangible impact on U.S. foreign policy and national security, helping the United States and its democratic allies to prevail over autocratic aggressors.
  • The director will have a concurrent appointment as Research Fellow or Senior Fellow.
  • For this position, there is no preferred regional or functional specialization, although the candidate should have deep expertise in at least one area that aligns with FDD's mission.

Skills & Qualifications
  • Ph.D. preferred. We will also consider candidates with comparable training and experience in a research capacity.
  • 8-15 years of professional experience in research, government, and policy-related roles.
    • FDD prefers candidates with 2 or more years of experience in policy-facing roles in the executive or legislative branch of the federal government.
  • Broad expertise in foreign affairs and national security, enabling the candidate to oversee publications that address the full range of issues and regions in FDD's portfolio.
  • Advanced professional editing skills, enabling the candidate to ensure the quality of numerous long- and short-form publications.
  • Ability to manage high-volume editorial workflows with submissions coming from several dozen authors.
  • Advanced professional writing skills
    • FDD fellows usually publish multiple policy briefs or op-eds per month along with one or more research memoranda or monographs per year.
  • Substantive understanding of the strengths and limitations of AI for conducting original research.
    • Familiarity with the use of agentic AI for research is a plus.
  • Public speaking and communication ability, suitable both for in-person presentations and interviews with broadcast media, to include television, radio, and podcasts.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, leadership ability, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
    • FDD strongly values those who help build a collegial and collaborative workplace environment.

Application Requirements
  • Résumé or CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Residence in or ability to relocate to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This is an in-person position with an option of up to two days per week of telework.

FDD is an equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact Jean Thurman at jean@fdd.org or (202) 207-0190.
This role has a projected salary band of $140,000-$180,000 per year, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits are available, including health care coverage based on eligibility.
FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. For more information, please visit FDD.org and follow FDD on X @FDD.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here. [Insert hyperlink]

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