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Director Research Development Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

SSAB

Research Engineer

Montpelier, IA · On-site

The position reports to the Director, Research and Development and has a close working relationship with other R&D staff, Technical Services, Applications Engineering, and Operations personnel. Main ...

SSAB

Research Engineer

Montpelier, IA · On-site

The position reports to the Director, Research and Development and has a close working relationship with Primary Operations and Technical Services groups at both the Iowa and Alabama steel mills.

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Director Research Development information

See Iowa salary details

$61.5K

$152.8K

$201.9K

How much do director research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for director research development in Iowa is $152,825.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,800.00 and $182,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director research development do?

A Director of Research Development leads and manages the planning, coordination, and execution of research strategies within an organization. They are responsible for identifying funding opportunities, fostering collaborations, and overseeing proposal development to secure grants and support research initiatives. Additionally, they work with faculty or research teams to ensure compliance with regulations and alignment with institutional goals, while supporting innovation and the growth of research programs.

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

To thrive as a Director of Research Development, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, project management, and grant writing, usually backed by a graduate degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration software, funding databases, and compliance systems is essential, along with certifications like CRA (Certified Research Administrator) being advantageous. Strategic thinking, leadership, and excellent communication skills are critical for building collaborations and guiding multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for securing funding, ensuring research integrity, and driving innovative projects to successful completion.

How does a director research development typically collaborate with other departments to drive innovation within an organization?

A Director of Research Development often works closely with cross-functional teams such as product management, engineering, marketing, and executive leadership to align research initiatives with organizational goals. This role involves facilitating communication between departments, ensuring that research projects support strategic objectives, and integrating insights from various stakeholders. Effective collaboration helps drive innovation, as the Director ensures that research outcomes are actionable and directly contribute to product or service enhancements. Regular meetings, joint project planning sessions, and clear reporting structures are common practices to maintain alignment and foster a culture of innovation.

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

AspectDirector Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD preferred), leadership experienceTypically a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team management, cross-department collaborationLaboratory or field research, data analysis, experimentation
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, corporate R&DUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in research developmentDetails about research-focused roles and career paths

The main difference between a Director Research Development and a Research Scientist lies in their responsibilities and focus. The Director oversees strategic planning, manages teams, and collaborates across departments, while the Research Scientist conducts experiments, analyzes data, and advances scientific knowledge. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the Director typically has more leadership experience and works in a broader strategic context.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Development jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Research Development jobs in Iowa are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Research Development jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Director Research Development job openings:

Director Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Research Development job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,825 per year, or $73.5 per hour.

Associate Director, Research Services OR Director, Research Services

The University Of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New

University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

462nd of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description

**Information Technology Services intends to hire either an IT Manager (PIM1) or an IT Director (PIM2), based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. **

Information Technology Services (ITS) at the University of Iowa is seeking an Associate Director or Director of Research Services to help shape how technology supports research across the university.

In this role, you'll lead the team that connects Iowa's research community with critical research computing services-including high-performance computing, research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other specialized platforms researchers rely on to advance their work. Your team will lead consultation, communication, training, engagement, and service management, helping researchers understand, access, and make the most of these resources.

You'll have the opportunity to build and strengthen how we engage with researchers, developing strategies, structures, and processes that make research computing services more responsive, accessible, and aligned with evolving research needs. Working closely with the technical teams responsible for Iowa's research computing infrastructure, you'll help translate researcher needs into strong, sustainable services that support the university's research mission

.Associate Director

The Associate Director will oversee a team that provides support, resources, and services essential to the research mission and daily operations of the University. Operating under the guidance of the Executive IT Director for OTLT, the Associate Director will:

  • Lead and supervise the Research Services team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, coaching staff, evaluating performance, and supporting employee development.

  • Manage the day-to-day delivery of research computing and researcher support services.

  • Ensure responsive, high-quality customer service by establishing service expectations, monitoring performance, addressing escalated concerns, and improving communication with researchers.

  • Plan and coordinate projects and service improvements.

  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with researchers, academic departments, campus IT partners, research administration offices, compliance stakeholders, vendors, and service governance groups. Lead the HPC Policy and Investor Committee.

  • Collect and evaluate service metrics and customer feedback to assess effectiveness, identify gaps, establish priorities, and recommend improvements.

Director

  • The Director will strategically lead a team of professionals providing support, resources, and services essential to the research mission and daily operations of the University.  Operating with a high degree of independence, the director will be responsible for:

  • Provide strategic leadership for the university's research computing and research technology services, establishing priorities and long-term direction in support of institutional research goals.  Lead the HPC Policy and Investor Committee.

  • Lead and supervise the research services team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, coaching staff, evaluating performance, and supporting employee development.

  • Direct development of service roadmaps, performance measures, financial plans, and resource strategies, ensuring that research computing and consultation services remain sustainable, responsive, and aligned with institutional priorities.

  • Anticipate emerging research technology needs and industry developments, evaluating their institutional implications and making appropriate recommendations for investments, partnerships, service changes, or new capabilities.

  • Lead and take charge of complex, institutionally significant initiatives involving multiple colleges, administrative units, technical teams, governance bodies, vendors, and/or external partners.

  • Represent the University's research computing interests in senior leadership discussions, negotiations, external collaborations, professional communities, and institutional planning efforts.

For Both Levels:

There is an expectation that the individual in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University's commitment to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for all.

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

ITS values work life balance and strives to provide flexible work options where possible. This position is eligible for on-site or hybrid work arrangements within the state of Iowa, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

For a detailed job description of either position, please email Melanie Bell at melanie-bell@uiowa.edu.

Qualifications:

Associate Director

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the position, or an equivalent combination of education and additional related experience.

  • Experience (typically 5 years or more) with progressively responsible IT experience, preferably related to research computing.

  • Experience (at least 2 years) successfully leading a technical team or organization.

  • Familiarity with academic research and research computing environments, including HPC, research storage, and collaboration tools.

  • Strong customer service orientation.

  • Excellent people skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with technical and non-technical staff from a variety of backgrounds.

  • Experience successfully managing complex projects and initiatives with cross-functional teams, with competing deadlines.

  • Ability to communicate with, establish, and build healthy working relationships and partnerships with colleagues, faculty, staff, students, vendors, the public, regulatory/governmental agencies, etc.

  • Demonstrated experience managing, developing, and retaining staff.

  • Demonstrated track record of being a positive change agent, including role modeling change readiness; addressing resistance; building resiliency and successfully guiding others through the structural, cultural, and process aspects of organizational change.

  • U.S.A. citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status is required for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance.

Desirable Qualifications:

  • Experience with budget management.

  • Experience implementing and managing high-complexity campus-scale IT projects and services.

  • Demonstrated dedication to delivering high-quality services.

  • Experience with one or more of the following: GPU computing, containerization, and cloud-HPC hybrid models.

  • Experience supporting grant-funded infrastructure programs.

  • Familiarity with grant submissions to academic research funding organizations such as NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE, MacArthur Foundation, Mellon Foundation.

  • Experience supporting technology in a higher education environment.

Director

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline, or a field relevant to the position, or an equivalent combination of education and additional related experience.

  • Experience (typically 7 years or more) with progressively responsible IT experience, preferably related to research computing.

  • Experience (at least 4 years) successfully leading a technical team or organization.

  • Strong familiarity with academic research and research computing environments, including HPC, research storage, and collaboration tools.

  • Experience with enterprise-level IT service management concepts and/or frameworks.

  • Excellent people skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with technical and non-technical staff from a variety of backgrounds.

  • Experience with budget management.

  • Experience implementing and managing high-complexity campus-scale IT projects and services.

  • Ability to communicate with, establish, and build healthy working relationships and partnerships with colleagues, faculty, staff, students, vendors, the public, regulatory/governmental agencies, etc.

  • Demonstrated experience leading and developing people at various levels to strengthen and advance the success of both individuals and teams. Demonstrated experience managing, developing, and retaining staff.

  • Demonstrated track record of being a positive change agent, including role modeling change readiness; addressing & managing resistance; building resiliency and successfully guiding others through the structural, cultural, and process aspects of organizational change.

  • U.S.A. citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status is required for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance.

Desirable Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated dedication to delivering high-quality services.

  • Experience with one or more of the following: GPU computing, containerization, and cloud-HPC hybrid models.

  • Experience supporting grant-funded infrastructure programs.

  • Familiarity with grant submissions to academic research funding organizations such as NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE, MacArthur Foundation, Mellon Foundation.

  • Experience supporting technology in a higher education environment.

Application Details:

In order to be considered, applicants must upload the following materials and mark them as "Relevant File" to the submission:

  • Resume

  • Cover letter

Information Technology Services will be hiring for one level listed within this requisition, depending on the qualifications of the successful finalist. 

You must indicate in your cover letter the classification (Associate Director or Director) you wish to be considered for, or indicate both. Please see required qualifications above for additional information.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.  Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For questions or additional information, please contact melanie-bell@uiowa.edu.

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information
  • Classification Title: IT Director
  • Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Work Modality Options: On Campus, Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation
  • Pay Level: 5B6B
Contact Information
  • Organization: Information Technology Services
  • Contact Name: Melanie Bell
  • Contact Email: Melanie-Bell@uiowa.edu

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