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Head Of Research Development Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

EmergencyMD

Director of Research

Washington, DC · On-site

$140 - $180/hr

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 ...

Moonshot

Head of AI Safety

Washington, DC · Remote

The Head of AI Safety will serve as Moonshot's primary applied AI safety counterpart for frontier ... research, and technical teams. Portfolio Development & Growth * Develop Moonshot's AI safety ...

Moonshot

Head of AI Safety

Washington, DC · Hybrid

The Head of AI Safety will serve as Moonshot's primary applied AI safety counterpart for frontier ... research, and technical teams. Portfolio Development & Growth * Develop Moonshot's AI safety ...

Moonshot

Head of AI Safety

Washington, DC · On-site +1

The Head of AI Safety will serve as Moonshot's primary applied AI safety counterpart for frontier ... research, and technical teams. Portfolio Development & Growth * Develop Moonshot's AI safety ...

Merck Group

Head of Core Franchise

Rockville, MD · On-site

Partner with the Head of R&D on innovation pathway, investment priorities, expense and capacity alignment, and delivery of CTO objectives. * Collaborate with Heads of Global Franchise (other ...

Socket.dev

Head of Hardware

Arlington, VA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

About the Role As Head of Hardware, you will lead the development of Rune's hardware product suite and own all aspects of hardware engineering across the company. You will be responsible for the full ...

Granules

Manager, Analytical R&D

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc., (GPI) is a subsidiary of Granules India LTD. Over the past 34 years ... and R&D Head as needed. * Reviews staff's performance regularly and develop team members to ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsHead Of Research Development JobsHead Of Research Development Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Head Of Research Development information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$67.7K

$168.2K

$222.3K

How much do head of research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of research development in Silver Spring, MD is $168,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $139,600.00 and $200,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 job categories do people searching Head Of Research Development jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Head Of Research Development jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Head Of Research Development jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Head Of Research Development job openings:

Head Of Research Development jobs near you

Director of Research

EmergencyMD

Washington, DC • On-site

$140 - $180/hr

Other

Medical

Posted 8 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
  • Résumé 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.

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply here.

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