Remote Research Operations Director Jobs in Alabama

Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $101,900 - Midpoint: $142,700 (Salaried E15)

Department/Organization: 750503 - Crimson Water Initiative

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for remote work subject to University policy. 

Job Summary: The Crimson Water Research Program Director oversees the daily administration of the program. Serve as a scientific and/or research ambassador across Alabama and the region to enhance preparedness, resilience, and response to water related challenges. Develops new consulting and research opportunities that support communities, agencies, and stakeholders in addressing floods, droughts, and sustainable land and water management needs. Shapes the Crimson Water strategic approach to land and water resource preservation, integrating scientific research with community priorities and collaboration.

Additional Department Summary: The Alabama Water Institute (AWI) is one of The University of Alabama's four research institutes. AWI is leading local, national, and global efforts to advance water research, technology, and innovative solutions. AWI is dedicated to building a more resilient and water-secure world by driving groundbreaking research, educating the next generation of leaders, and delivering innovations that benefit communities and ecosystems worldwide. It provides a forum for interdisciplinary research and education and brings together university researchers, students, and staff to promote collaboration and a broad interdisciplinary focus on water issues that face our world today. AWI-affiliated researchers specialize in water security and quality, remote sensing, hydrological modeling, biological variability, watershed management and human health through synergies with existing centers and the creation of new centers under the umbrella of AWI.
This position provides senior leadership for an applied research and engagement program within the University of Alabama's Division of Research, supporting the mission of the Alabama Water Institute and the UA Wiregrass Hub. Builds strong, trust based collaborations with local governments, state and federal agencies, defense adjacent partners, and community organizations, with particular attention to grounded approaches to water resource stewardship and watershed scale planning. Represents AWI and Crimson Water in regional and national forums to strengthen partnerships, elevate program visibility, and advance collaborative responses to water resource challenges that serve both the state and national interests.
Continuation in this position is contingent upon the availability of external funding derived from research programs or specific projects.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and ten (10) years of research development, research strategy development, or business development experience; OR Master's degree and eight (8) years of research development, research strategy development, or business development experience; OR Doctoral degree and five (5) years of research development, research strategy development, or business development experience. Post-Baccalaureate degree is highly preferred (Master's degree or higher).

Skills and Knowledge: Ability to lead and collaborate with multidisciplinary research and technical teams to deliver applied, decision relevant solutions to water related hazards, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable land and water management. Strong command of integrated watershed management, non structural and nature based approaches, and the translation of scientific data, forecasting, and analysis into actionable tools for communities, agencies, and stakeholders. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high quality technical reports, policy relevant analyses, and competitive research proposals, and to clearly convey complex scientific concepts to a variety of audiences ranging from technical experts to community leaders and decision makers. Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with experience representing research programs at regional and national meetings, stakeholder briefings, and interagency forums. Ability to integrate research execution, communication, and outreach in fast paced, collaborative environments that emphasize applied impact and service. Ability to engage and build productive partnerships with leaders across government, defense adjacent organizations, industry, academia, and civic communities to advance applied research and resilience planning efforts. Familiarity with standard computing platforms and productivity software used in research and program management.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with water resource infrastructure planning, implementation, and management processes as they relate to applied science and real world decision support. Experience as an established state or national reputation relevant to assigned duties, including success in securing external funding as a principal investigator or co investigator and leading or contributing to the dissemination of research outcomes through peer reviewed publications, technical reports, public facing products, and professional presentations.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.