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Director Of Applied Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prosperity Now

Director of Applied Research & Policy

$112K - $163K/yr

Position Summary The Director of Applied Research & Policy leads Prosperity Now's enterprise research agenda, ensuring the organization produces rigorous, nonpartisan, evidence-informed research that ...

company1314

Director of Research

Austin, TX · On-site

Minimum of 4 years of applied research and/or evaluation experience, preferably in a nonprofit or service delivery environment * Minimum of 2 years of direct supervision experience over full-time ...

Watts

Sr. Applied Research Engineer 1

Blauvelt, NY · On-site

Position will report to the Director of Applied Research and be responsible for researching opportunities, making proposals for research projects, project planning, scheduling, technology scouting ...

THOMSON REUTERS

Director, Applied Research

New York, NY · On-site

Director, Applied Research Are you excited about working at the forefront of applied research in an industry setting?Thomson Reuters Labsis seekingan experiencedscientist withstrongproduct mindset ...

National Debt Relief, LLC.

Director of Applied AI

$194K - $223K/yr

The Director of Applied AI will lead a high-leverage team responsible for identifying opportunities, evaluating, and integrating AI solutions, and ensuring successful business outcomes. This role ...

webAI Inc

Director of Applied AI

Austin, TX · On-site

The Director of Applied AI will play a pivotal leadership role in designing, developing, and ... You will help shape webAI's applied research strategy, mentor teams, and ensure we deliver world ...

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Director Of Applied Research information

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How much do director of applied research jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of applied research in the United States is $119,966.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of applied research do?

A Director of Applied Research leads teams that develop and implement research strategies aimed at solving practical problems within a company or organization. They oversee research projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, analyze data, and ensure that research outcomes align with business goals. Their role often involves managing budgets, mentoring staff, and communicating findings to stakeholders. Directors of Applied Research play a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical research and real-world application, helping organizations innovate and stay competitive.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of applied research?

To thrive as a Director of Applied Research, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and project management, typically supported by a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software (such as R or SPSS), data visualization tools, and research management systems is commonly required. Strategic thinking, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills enable effective team direction and stakeholder engagement. These skills and qualities are crucial for driving innovative research initiatives that deliver actionable insights and organizational value.

What are the primary challenges a director of applied research faces when balancing innovation with practical business goals?

A Director of Applied Research often navigates the challenge of aligning cutting-edge research with the company's immediate business objectives. This requires careful prioritization of projects that offer both innovative potential and real-world applicability. Regular communication with product, engineering, and executive teams is essential to ensure research efforts support organizational strategy. Success in this role involves fostering a collaborative environment where researchers can explore novel ideas while staying focused on deliverables that drive measurable business impact.

What is the difference between Director Of Applied Research vs Data Scientist?

AspectDirector Of Applied ResearchData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's/PhD), research experienceBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, corporate R&D, academic settingsTech companies, finance, healthcare, consulting
Employer & Industry UsageResearch-driven organizations, innovation departmentsData-driven industries, analytics teams
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in researchUnderstanding data analysis and modeling roles

The main difference is that the Director Of Applied Research leads research initiatives and manages teams, focusing on strategic innovation, while Data Scientists analyze data to generate insights and support decision-making. Both roles require strong analytical skills, but the director position emphasizes leadership and research management.

What cities are hiring for Director Of Applied Research jobs?

Cities with the most Director Of Applied Research job openings:

What states have the most Director Of Applied Research jobs?

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What are popular job titles related to Director Of Applied Research jobs?

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Infographic showing various Director Of Applied Research job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,966 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Director of Applied Research & Policy

Remote

Prosperity Now
Executive Offices and Legislative Bodies • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Prosperity Nowexternal

$112K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Since 1979, Prosperity Now has been a trusted leader in strengthening financial security, expanding access to capital, and ensuring economic stability for businesses, families, and communities. We work across sectors to develop practical, scalable solutions that create lasting change through innovation, strategic investment, collaboration, and evidence-informed action.
Position Summary
The Director of Applied Research & Policy leads Prosperity Now's enterprise research agenda, ensuring the organization produces rigorous, nonpartisan, evidence-informed research that identifies practical solutions to strengthen financial well-being, expand opportunity, and improve economic prosperity. Reporting to the Chief Programs Officer, the Director establishes research priorities, oversees applied research projects, supervises the Applied Research & Policy Associate and future Research Scientist, and translates complex economic and social science evidence into actionable insights that inform program design, policy development, strategic partnerships, and organizational decision-making.
Unlike traditional academic or advocacy-focused research, Prosperity Now's applied research emphasizes objective analysis, methodological rigor, and practical application. The Director ensures the organization evaluates what works, why it works, and how research can inform more effective public policy, stronger markets, and scalable solutions.
Responsibilities:
Research Strategy & Enterprise Leadership
  • Develop and lead the enterprise applied research agenda aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Establish research priorities, methodologies, quality standards, and publication schedules.
  • Lead flagship initiatives including the State of Prosperity research portfolio.
  • Advise executive leadership on economic, demographic, and policy trends.

Applied Research & Evidence Generation
  • Direct quantitative and qualitative research on financial well-being, wealth-building, entrepreneurship, housing, tax opportunity, and family financial health.
  • Ensure methodological rigor using appropriate economic and mixed-methods research.
  • Evaluate policies, markets, and interventions using objective evidence.
  • Oversee production of reports, briefs, dashboards, and research publications.

Policy Analysis & Solution Development
  • Translate research findings into practical policy options and implementation strategies.
  • Assess feasibility, tradeoffs, and expected outcomes of proposed solutions.
  • Partner with Programs and Public Policy to ensure research informs organizational priorities.

Research Partnerships & Resource Development
  • Develop partnerships with universities, research institutions, and government agencies.
  • Support grant proposals by developing methodologies and technical narratives.
  • Represent Prosperity Now through presentations and publications.

People Leadership
  • Supervise, coach, and develop the Applied Research & Policy Associate and future Research Scientist.
  • Establish research standards and review work products.

Organizational Culture
  • Model collaborative leadership.
  • Participate in planning, goal setting, and performance management.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Qualifications:
  • Master's degree required; Ph.D. preferred in Economics, Applied Economics, Public Policy, Anthropology, Sociology, Demography, Statistics, or related discipline.
  • 8-10 years of progressively responsible applied research experience.
  • Demonstrated experience producing objective, evidence-informed research.
  • Strong grounding in economics, quantitative analysis, and mixed-methods research.
  • Experience with large public datasets and STATA, R, Python, or equivalent.
  • Experience supervising research staff.
  • Exceptional writing and presentation skills.

Supervisory Responsibility: Applied Research & Policy Associate; future Research Scientist
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Work Environment and Travel: This job operates in a professional office environment and is 100% remote. 10% travel may be required.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job description is subject to change at any time. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information. The employee must frequently remain stationary and constantly operate computers and other office productivity machinery.
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Salary Range: Grade/Level: 3
Prosperity Now does not sponsor applicants for any kind of work visas.
Prosperity Now is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that diversity of background and perspective are strengths, and seek to continue to grow a diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. We encourage candidates from various backgrounds to apply.
Salary Description
$112,849.00 per year to $163,631.00 per year

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