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Head Of Research Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Valency Systems Inc

Head of Research

Berkeley, CA · On-site

The Position As our Head of Research , with a PhD or advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field, you will set the research agenda, shaping how and what we build, and directly ...

Dr. Squatch

Head of R&D

Los Angeles, CA

$190K - $210K/yr

Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the ...

Dr. Squatch

Head of R&D

Marina Del Rey, CA · On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the ...

Gamut

Head of Research

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$50K - $500K/yr

The Role As Head of Research, you'll own Datawizz's research agenda and build an applied research organization focused on making agents radically more reliable and capable. You'll define the roadmap ...

Datawizz

Head of Research

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$50K - $500K/yr

The Role As Head of Research, you'll own Gamut's research agenda and build an applied research organization focused on making agents radically more reliable and capable. You'll define the roadmap ...

Dr. Squatch

Head of R&D

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the ...

Vals

Head of Research

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$225K - $275K/yr

We're hiring a Head of Research to lead it. The hard research questions don't have textbook answers ... Collaboration with leading AI labs and the opportunity to work on the front lines of AI development ...

Vals AI, Inc.

Head of Research

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$220 - $340/hr

We are hiring a Head of Research to lead this effort. The hard research questions don't have textbook answers yet. How do you measure whether an LLM can actually perform a real lawyer's contract ...

Murad

Global Head of R&D

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Global Head of R&D leads the strategy and execution of product innovation, formulation, packaging development, regulatory compliance, clinical testing, and efficacy/claims substantiation to ...

Murad

Global Head of R&D

El Segundo, CA · Hybrid

The Global Head of R&D leads the strategy and execution of product innovation, formulation, packaging development, regulatory compliance, clinical testing, and efficacy/claims substantiation to ...

Datawizz

Head of Research (San Francisco)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$50K - $500K/yr

The Role As Head of Research, you'll own Datawizz's research agenda and build an applied research organization focused on making LLMs radically more efficient and accurate. You'll define the roadmap ...

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Head Of Research Development information

What does a head of research development do?

A Head of Research Development leads the planning, coordination, and execution of research initiatives within an organization. They are responsible for identifying new research opportunities, securing funding, managing research teams, and ensuring that projects align with the organization's strategic goals. This role often involves collaborating with external partners, overseeing compliance with regulations, and translating research findings into actionable strategies. A Head of Research Development plays a key role in fostering innovation and maintaining the organization's competitive edge.

What are some common challenges faced by a head of research development when leading cross-functional teams?

A Head of Research Development often encounters challenges in aligning diverse teams—such as scientists, engineers, and business strategists—toward shared project goals. Differences in communication styles, priorities, and technical backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings or delays. Successful leaders in this role foster a collaborative environment by setting clear objectives, encouraging open dialogue, and ensuring that each team member understands how their work contributes to the broader organizational vision. Emphasizing transparency and regular check-ins helps keep projects on track and team morale high.

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

To thrive as a Head of Research Development, you need advanced expertise in research methodologies, project management, and a relevant graduate degree, often a Ph.D. or equivalent. Familiarity with data analysis software, research databases, intellectual property systems, and compliance frameworks is typically required. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring research quality, and aligning projects with organizational goals.

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

AspectHead Of Research DevelopmentResearch Scientist
Primary FocusOversees research strategies, manages teams, and directs development projectsConducts experiments, analyzes data, and contributes to research findings
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees (PhD), leadership experience, project management skillsUsually a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D departments, strategic planningLaboratory settings, hands-on research activities
Industry UsageCommon in biotech, pharma, tech companies for guiding research teamsFound across research labs, academic institutions, industry research roles

The main difference is that the Head Of Research Development leads and manages research initiatives and teams, focusing on strategy and development, while the Research Scientist conducts experiments and generates research data. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the leadership and strategic responsibilities distinguish the Head Of Research Development from the Research Scientist.

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

The most popular types of Of Research Development jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Head Of Research Development jobs in California?

For Head Of Research Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Head Of Research Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Head Of Research Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Head Of Research Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Head Of Research Development job openings:

Head Of Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Research Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Head of Research

Valency Systems Inc

Berkeley, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

About Valency
Valency Systems is a small, dynamic team of engineers, scientists, and researchers building the global hub for the agentic research era.
We're based in Berkeley, California, and we're building something that matters. If you care about open science, advancing research at the speed of thought, and using AI to accelerate discovery, we'd love to talk.
Our team is hybrid. We come together in person 3 days a week, with the option for 2 days of remote work.
The Position
As our Head of Research, with a PhD or advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field, you will set the research agenda, shaping how and what we build, and directly influencing the trajectory of the product. This role reports directly to the CEO.
You'll be hands-on, collaborating with engineering and product leadership to make sure we're solving the right problems before we build the wrong things. If you thrive in a small, fast-moving environment where deep technical research has direct and immediate impact, this role was built for you.
What You'll Do
Set and drive the research agenda
  • Define the research roadmap, prioritizing work that reduces technical risk and accelerates delivery
  • Anticipate hard problems before they become expensive ones - running ahead of the engineering team to validate approaches and surface unknowns early
  • Establish research practices and standards that will scale as the team grows

Deep technical contribution
  • Leverage graph database, algorithm, and recsys knowledge to tackle complex data representation and retrieval challenges
  • Drive measurable improvements in system efficiency and operational cost through research-led optimization
  • Apply expertise in large-scale ML systems to improve model performance, system efficiency, and cost at scale

Cross-functional leadership
  • Be a true partner to the Head of Engineering and Head of Science - not a hand-off relationship, but a tight collaborative loop
  • Work in close alignment with those in product and customer-facing roles to maintain methodological rigor across research output
  • Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable guidance for engineers and non-technical stakeholders alike

People & culture
  • Manage and mentor (world class) junior researchers
  • Contribute to building a culture where curiosity, rigor, and pragmatism coexist

What We're Looking For
Required
  • PhD or advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field
  • Strong command of graph databases and graph algorithms
  • A track record of running independent research programs and turning findings into engineering decisions - not just papers
  • Comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment

Preferred
  • Experience with bibliometrics and/or research evaluation methodologies - this is a meaningful plus given our domain
  • Record of academic publications
  • Hands-on experience designing and deploying large-scale ML systems in production
  • Familiarity with cost modeling and performance benchmarking for ML infrastructure

Why This Role
You'll have real influence over how a technically ambitious company thinks and builds. This is a founding-team-adjacent position - the research infrastructure you establish will define how we operate for years to come.
Compensation, Benefits & Equity
We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and meaningful equity in a company building something important from the ground up.
Work Authorization: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

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