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Director Of Research Development Jobs in Washington

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 ...

Riverside Research Institute

Director (R&D)

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$186K - $300K/yr

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 ...

Riverside Research Institute

Director (R&D)

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$186K - $300K/yr

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 ...

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Director Of Research Development information

What does a director of research development do?

A Director of Research Development oversees the planning, coordination, and implementation of research initiatives within an organization. They are responsible for identifying funding opportunities, managing research projects, and supporting faculty or staff in developing competitive proposals. This role often involves building collaborations, ensuring compliance with institutional and funding agency guidelines, and promoting a productive research environment. Directors of Research Development play a key role in advancing an organization’s research goals and enhancing its reputation.

How does a director of research development typically collaborate with faculty and external partners to advance research initiatives?

A Director of Research Development frequently serves as a bridge between faculty researchers and external partners, such as funding agencies, industry collaborators, and governmental organizations. This collaboration often involves identifying funding opportunities, facilitating proposal development, and ensuring alignment with both organizational goals and sponsor requirements. Directors provide strategic guidance, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, and help streamline communication, making it easier for researchers to focus on their scientific work while maximizing the institution's research impact. The role requires strong relationship-building skills and a proactive approach to fostering productive partnerships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of research development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Research Development, you need expertise in research management, grant writing, and strategic planning, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration platforms, funding databases, and compliance systems is crucial. Outstanding leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help foster partnerships and guide diverse research teams. These capabilities are essential for securing funding, driving innovation, and ensuring successful research program outcomes.

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

AspectDirector Of Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD preferred), leadership experienceTypically a PhD or Master's in relevant field
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaborationLaboratory or field research, data analysis
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech, pharma companiesUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on leadership, development, and strategyFocus on technical research and experimentation

The main difference is that the Director Of Research Development oversees research strategies and manages teams, while a Research Scientist conducts experiments and analyzes data. The director role involves leadership and planning, whereas the scientist role is more hands-on with research activities.

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Research Development jobs in Washington?

For Director Of Research Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Of Research Development jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Research Development jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Director Of Research Development jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Director Of Research Development job openings:

Director Of Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Research Development job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Director of Research

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Washington, DC • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 23 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
  • RĂ©sumĂ© 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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