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Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CorDx

Research & Development Specialist

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

We are seeking an innovative Research & Development Specialist to join our team at CorDx. This role will be pivotal in the planning, development, and implementation of research initiatives to create ...

Kinder's

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

The Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of new and improved products across retail, club, and foodservice channels. This role will drive ...

Tamus

Research Development Officer

Prairie View, TX

Job Title Research Development Officer Agency Prairie View A&M University Department Research Administration Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Prairie View, Texas Job Type Staff ...

CorDx

Research & Development Specialist

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

We are seeking an innovative Research & Development Specialist to join our team at CorDx. This role will be pivotal in the planning, development, and implementation of research initiatives to create ...

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Research Development information

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$48.5K

$101.8K

$165K

How much do research development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for research development in the United States is $101,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Research Development position, and why are they important?

To excel in Research Development, a strong background in scientific research, project management, and grant writing is typically required, often supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with research administration software, funding databases, and compliance systems such as IRB protocols is highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills help professionals effectively manage complex projects and secure funding. These abilities are essential to drive innovation, streamline research processes, and support institutional or organizational growth.

What are the typical responsibilities of a Research Development professional in an academic or corporate setting?

Research Development professionals are primarily responsible for identifying funding opportunities, assisting with proposal preparation, and supporting strategic research initiatives. They often work closely with researchers, faculty, or scientists to develop competitive grant applications, ensure compliance with guidelines, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations. The role may also involve coordinating workshops or trainings, managing research portfolios, and tracking emerging trends in funding. Working in teams and liaising with administrative departments is common, fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment that supports both individual and institutional research goals.

What is a Research Development job?

A Research Development job focuses on identifying funding opportunities, developing research proposals, and fostering collaborations to support research initiatives. Professionals in this role assist researchers in securing grants, managing research projects, and aligning proposals with funding agency priorities. They often work in universities, research institutions, or corporate R&D departments to facilitate innovation and strategic growth. Strong communication, project management, and analytical skills are essential for success in this field.

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What cities are hiring for Research Development jobs? Cities with the most Research Development job openings:
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Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,794 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Research & Development Manager

Thrive Foods

American Fork, UT

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Research and Development Manager

Department: Quality 

Reports to: Vice President of Quality

Location: American Fork, Utah

Position Summary

The Research & Development (R&D) Manager is responsible for leading innovation, product development, process optimization, and technical commercialization for Thrive Freeze Drys portfolio of human and pet food products. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customers to deliver safe, high-quality, and scalable freeze-dried ingredients and finished goods. The R&D Manager ensures that all new products, reformulations, and process improvements align with Thrives strategic goals, meet customer expectations, and comply with regulatory and certification standards across our North American manufacturing network.

Product Innovation & Development
Lead the design, development, and testing of new freeze-dried ingredients, meals, snacks, and formulations for human and pet applications.Translate customer needs, market trends, and internal strategy into actionable R&D roadmaps and prototypes.Manage bench-top trials, pilot tests, and plant-scale validations to ensure product performance, stability, and manufacturability.Maintain responsibility for ingredient functionality, sensory attributes, nutritional profiles, and shelf-life performance.Other duties as assigned
Commercialization & Process Optimization
Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to define processing parameters for new and existing products.Lead commercialization efforts from concept through first production, ensuring a smooth transition to full-scale manufacturing.Identify opportunities to improve yield, reduce waste, enhance throughput, and optimize cost without compromising product quality.Support continuous improvement initiatives across the freeze-drying process, blending, packaging, and handling systems.
Regulatory, Compliance & Documentation
Ensure all R&D activities align with FSMA, HACCP, FDA, USDA, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, SMETA, and customer-specific requirements.Collaborate with the Quality team to verify that product specifications, formulations, processing instructions, and change controls are accurate and compliant.Create and maintain R&D documentation, including formulas, spec sheets, SOPs, work instructions, and experimental summaries.Support customer audits, technical reviews, and documentation requests related to new or existing products.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Project Management
Manage R&D teams across Thrive Freeze Drys North American network.Manage multiple concurrent R&D projects across categories, customers, and manufacturing sites.Facilitate communication between Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and Sales to ensure alignment and efficient execution.Provide technical leadership to plant teams during scale-ups, troubleshooting, and process validations.Represent R&D during customer visits, technical presentations, and collaborative development sessions.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelors or Masters degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition, or related field.5+ years of food industry experience, preferably in freeze-drying, dehydrated foods, pet food, or functional ingredients.Minimum of 5 years experience leading, managing, and developing a team. Strong technical understanding of freeze-drying process parameters, product formulation, ingredient interactions, and analytical testing methods.Experience managing technical projects from ideation to commercialization.Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and apply them to product design and documentation.Excellent communication, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational skills.Ability to travel between manufacturing sites and customer locations as needed, including international, up to 25%.

Physical Requirements Must be able to perform the following functions with or without accommodations:

Consistent and reliable attendancePhysical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching; and frequent fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 40% or more sitting, 40% or more walking, and 40% or more standing. The job is performed under occasional temperature variations and in a food manufacturing office environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees. The ability to lift to 40 lbs. is required.

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