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Associate Research Director Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Director (R&D)

Fairfax, VA ยท On-site

$186K - $300K/yr

Riverside Overview Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to ... Grow the next generation of associate directors, managers, and scientists through mentorship * A ...

Director (R&D)

Fairfax, VA ยท On-site

$150 - $180/hr

Riverside Overview Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to ... Grow the next generation of associate directors, managers, and scientists through mentorship * A ...

Research Associate - Equity Research B. Riley Securities | Arlington, VA Join a Top-Ranked Research ... Our team structure means you will have direct exposure to senior leadership and meaningful ...

Research Associate

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Research Associate - Equity Research B. Riley Securities | Arlington, VA Join a Top-Ranked Research ... Our team structure means you will have direct exposure to senior leadership and meaningful ...

Research Associate

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$54K/yr

The Research Department's work has a direct impact on upcoming elections through our collaborations ... The ideal Research Associate candidate should possess a basic understanding of the dynamic ...

The Research Associate will work closely with colleagues across research and communications functions, and report to the Director, Science and Society Research. Primary Responsibilities Survey design ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Research Director information

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

To thrive as an Associate Research Director, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and project management, usually supported by a graduate degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS or R), data visualization tools, and experience with research management systems are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills enable you to guide teams and present complex findings to stakeholders effectively. These competencies are essential for delivering high-quality research insights, ensuring project success, and supporting organizational goals.

What is the difference between Associate Research Director vs Research Manager?

AspectAssociate Research DirectorResearch Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field, often with research experienceBachelor's or Master's, with focus on project management and research oversight
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing research teams, high-level decision makingManaging research projects, coordinating teams, ensuring project deliverables
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, academic, and government research settingsCommon in corporate and institutional research departments

The Associate Research Director typically holds a higher strategic role, overseeing multiple research projects and teams, while the Research Manager focuses on managing specific research projects and day-to-day operations. Both roles require strong research credentials, but the Associate Research Director is more involved in strategic planning and leadership.

What are some common challenges faced by associate research directors when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Associate Research Directors often juggle several projects at once, which requires excellent organizational and time management skills. Balancing priorities, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring consistent communication across teams can be demanding, especially when deadlines overlap or project scopes change. Additionally, maintaining high-quality standards while mentoring junior researchers and coordinating with senior leadership adds to the complexity. To succeed, it's important to develop strong delegation skills and foster collaborative relationships within the research team.

What is an associate research director?

An Associate Research Director is a senior-level professional who helps oversee the planning, execution, and management of research projects within an organization. They typically support the Research Director by supervising research teams, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget, and maintaining the quality and integrity of research output. Associate Research Directors also play a key role in developing research strategies, analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders. Their position often serves as a bridge between research staff and upper management.

Is an associate research director a high level position?

An Associate Research Director is considered a senior-level position within research organizations, often responsible for overseeing research projects, managing teams, and contributing to strategic planning. It typically requires extensive experience, leadership skills, and advanced knowledge in the field.
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Infographic showing various Associate Research Director job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution.

$186K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Riverside Overview
Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country's most challenging technical problems.
All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.
Position Overview
Riverside Research is seeking a senior dynamic, strategic, operational, and growth focused Director to lead a research and development team. As a key member of our Cognitive Intel Solutions (Sensors & Systems) group, the Director will pursue and grow applied R&D opportunities with IC and DoW customers (e.g. NGA, NRO, AFRL, military services, etc.), lead corporate-wide Independent Research & Development (IR&D) efforts and manage existing R&D contracts. The Director will manage team members located across Fairfax, Lexington, and Beavercreek research offices while reporting to the Vice President of the Sensors & Systems Business Unit.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Development and execution of the portfolio strategy to pursue R&D funding to achieve annual growth
  • Provide technical direction, leadership, and management oversight of a substantial IR&D budget in artificial intelligence and software development.
  • Lead and shape capture and proposals, developing strategy to expand our existing technology baseline in alignment with the Riverside Research wide strategy and vision.
  • Significant customer interaction, initiating customer contact to create new business opportunities at DoD and IC organizations such as NRO, NGA, AFRL, USSF, SDA, etc.
  • Collaboration across the larger Riverside Research organization to facilitate the development and transition of revolutionary solutions in important technology areas in the intelligence automation, system and sensor orchestration and sensor technology spaces, including machine learning/artificial intelligence, system integration, field testing, data collection, and software development.
  • Experience as a Principal Investigator for programs, setting technical direction and guiding teams in executing complex development projects that regularly involve multiple technical fields and cross-disciplinary work.
  • Grow the next generation of associate directors, managers, and scientists through mentorship
  • A leader that is responsible for developing consensus from among competing inputs to include customer feedback, diverse technical opinions, and team dynamics

Riverside has created a collaborative culture that stands apart from their competitors. With a strong business base, forward-looking vantage point, and growing internal R&D capabilities, the Director will be strongly positioned to grow his/her enterprise.
Qualifications
  • Active TS/SCI clearance and ability to obtain SAP access.
  • A bachelor's degree and 15 years' experience, 12 years with a master's degree, 8 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience is typically required for an employee at this level, and 8 years of supervisory experience.
  • Experience in leading teams to solve complex technical problems, and developing and growing teams and an organization around a unified vision
  • Experience in new business capture, such as shaping program opportunities and proposal writing; preferred if experienced leading proposal efforts
  • Motivated individuals with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to perform a wide variety of related tasks, have exceptional oral and written skills, and experience presenting to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Demonstrated understanding of program management processes and ability to prioritize multiple, concurrent tasks with minimal supervision
  • An established professional reputation for excellence in customer support and program execution
  • Collaborative leader with the highest integrity and moral compass
  • Sound business judgment, keen conceptual skills, intellectual discipline, self-confidence, imagination, well-developed management skills, and the personal ambition to play a major role in the growth and success of a high-end government research and services company with a strong heritage for high quality and responsive service to its clients
  • Other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree and 15 years' experience, 12 years with a master's degree, 8 years with a PhD
  • Experience with automation of intelligence collection, orchestration, and analysis activities through software, particularly efforts leveraging Agentic AI, Large Language Models (LLM's) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
  • Has an existing network of USG Customer contacts at DoD and IC research and development organizations, or has experience growing and maintaining a customer contact network
  • Demonstrated success in leading the capture of DoD and / or IC R&D opportunities at organizations such as NRO, NGA, AFRL, DARPA, USSF, SDA,
  • Technology roadmap development experience
  • Experience with programming and scripting languages (e.g., Java, C++, MATLAB, Python, Bash)
  • Proven ability to lead a diverse organization across multiple sites
  • A minimum of bachelor's degree in related field (Engineering, Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, etc.) and several years of relevant experience required with strong preference for PhD degree.

Global Comp
$000,000- $000,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.
Closing Statement
Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.
Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran's status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.