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Research Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

State of Iowa

Data Analyst 1

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$63K - $98K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Research Director The Iowa Department of Corrections Research Department is seeking a highly analytical and mission-driven data analyst to join our team. Under the direction of the Research Director ...

INNOVO RESEARCH INC

Clinical Research Nurse

Dubuque, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

JOB SUMMARY A Clinical Research Nurse is a member of the research team who serves participants in clinical trials with direct patient care. This position is responsible for maintaining tight ...

University of Iowa

Admin Services Coordinator

Iowa City, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Manage complex schedule for high-level research director requiring discretion of calendar activities and prioritization of appointments. Maintain files including CVs, publications and research ...

University of Iowa

Admin Services Coordinator

Iowa City, IA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Manage complex schedule for high-level research director requiring discretion of calendar activities and prioritization of appointments. Maintain files including CVs, publications and research ...

University of Iowa

Admin Services Coordinator

Iowa City, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Manage complex schedule for high-level research director requiring discretion of calendar activities and prioritization of appointments. Maintain files including CVs, publications and research ...

Kemin

Research Associate

Des Moines, IA · On-site

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Research Associate, you will support innovative R&D projects by applying scientific methods ... Working under direct supervision, you will perform a variety of technical tasks within established ...

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All JobsResearch JobsResearch Director JobsResearch Director Jobs in Iowa

Research Director information

See Iowa salary details

$54K

$179.7K

$216.5K

How much do research director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for research director in Iowa is $179,700.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $215,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research Director vs Research Manager?

AspectResearch DirectorResearch Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; often advanced degreesBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; some roles prefer advanced degrees
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in research departments, overseeing multiple projectsManaging research teams and projects, focusing on execution
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, academic, and government research settingsCommon in corporate and academic research teams

The Research Director typically holds a higher strategic leadership role, overseeing research initiatives and setting long-term goals. The Research Manager focuses more on managing day-to-day research activities and team coordination. Both roles require strong research credentials, but the Research Director's scope is broader and more strategic.

What does a research director do?

A research director oversees research projects, manages teams of researchers, and develops strategies to meet organizational goals. They analyze data, ensure research quality, and often collaborate with other departments to apply findings effectively. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and familiarity with research tools are essential for this role.

How does a research director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Research Director, you will frequently work with cross-functional teams, including product managers, data analysts, marketing professionals, and senior leadership. Collaboration often involves establishing research priorities, aligning on project goals, and communicating key findings to various stakeholders. Effective Research Directors facilitate regular meetings, provide clear direction to research staff, and ensure that research insights are integrated into broader organizational strategies. This collaborative approach is essential for delivering impactful research outcomes that support business objectives.

What is a research director?

A research director manages a company’s research and development department. As a research director, you supervise team members, overseeing data collection and analysis, product design, and manufacturing. Other responsibilities include hiring and training new staff, conducting performance evaluations, and gathering information and preparing detailed reports about the progress and outcomes of research projects. The qualifications for a career as a research director are a doctorate in science and at least five years of management experience.

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

To thrive as a Research Director, you need advanced expertise in research methodology, data analysis, and project management, typically supported by a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software, data visualization tools, and research management systems is often required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for guiding research teams, ensuring the quality of deliverables, and aligning projects with organizational goals.
More about Research Director jobs

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

The most popular types of Research jobs in Iowa are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Research Director jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Research Director job openings:

Research Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $179,700 per year, or $86.4 per hour.

Clinical Research Manager - NICU Research

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 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

458th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics division of Neonatology is seeking to hire a Clinical Research Manager. The Clinical Research Manager is responsible for providing oversight to all clinical research study activities in the UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology; interfacing with administrative and clinical staff, providing expertise and leadership in conducting multiple scientific protocols simultaneously; providing oversight to Neonatal Research Network research operations at the University of Iowa and Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; supporting research staff in conducting research procedures with NICU patients; co-directing the monthly Iowa Neonatal Clinical Research Committee (iNCRC) meeting; managing research team staff; coordinating the processing and analysis of data; presenting study information to clinical staff and funding agencies; and managing budgets for multiple protocols.
Position Responsibilities:
  • Works closely with the Neonatology Division Director and the Neonatology Research Director to cultivate a progressive strategy for clinical research within the division
  • Manages all aspects of the research program in the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
  • Provides oversight to Neonatal Research Network (NRN) research operations in the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa as well as NRN-related studies at the satellite site in Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  • Oversees the operation of all neonatal clinical research projects in the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, including the recruitment, coordination and scheduling of subject participation and procedures as required by protocols in the NICU
  • Interfaces with administrative and clinical staff at each site, providing leadership in conducting, organizing, improving, and maintaining the delivery of complex scientific protocols, functioning as an expert on all phases of multiple projects conducted simultaneously in the NICU
  • Provides consultative services to the principal investigators and other participating centers regarding feasibility, execution, and administration of protocols
  • Acts as co-chair of the Iowa Neonatal Clinical Research Committee
  • Maintains a general knowledge of the care of infants, especially premature infants
  • Assists with writing grant applications, writes directions for study procedures, collaborates with healthcare and ancillary services in conduction of studies, assuring that enrollment is accruing as expected, data collection and entry is complete and accurate, and assist with data tabulation and writing for scientific publications and presentation at meetings
  • Oversees quality assurance/auditing of individual subject data
  • Oversees the monitoring of the health status and safety of all subjects during study participation, including troubleshooting of equipment and pharmacy processes for protocols
  • Assists lead coordinator in developing presentations to orient new nursing and medical staff to multiple research protocols
  • Oversees research coordinators in conducting meetings and educational sessions with clinical staff for study procedures and equipment
  • Works with coordinators in developing presentations and brochures to recruit study participants
  • Works with coordinators in developing/writing IRB applications and other regulatory requirements for research protocols
  • Provides guidance for maintaining regulatory requirements for Sioux Falls Sanford Health
  • Serves as administrative liaison with regulatory offices
  • Completes regulatory submissions and close out processes
  • Hires, develops, and manages the performance of clinical healthcare research associates, research assistants and students, assuring that all are compliant with UI policies and procedures
  • Manages all research personnel (research assistants, associates and data abstractors) which includes regular one-on-one meetings
  • Attends daily research team huddle
  • Assists with the creation and maintenance of NICU clinical research team schedule, including on-call
  • Maintains records of ethical, regulatory, and good clinical practices training among all research staff at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, division of neonatology
  • Performs public relations activities on behalf of the division of neonatology and Sanford Health
  • Provides leadership and management of budgets for clinical research protocols in the neonatology division; meets regularly with division administrative personnel and departmental financial research support manager; continuously monitors and approves expenditures for studies to keep within budgetary constraints for protocols
  • Oversees the operations of the division of neonatology national and internal databases/registries, ensuring accurate and timely data acquisition and entry, auditing and reviewing records, coordinating with division members in obtaining data and reports

About the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and UI Stead Family Children's Hospital
The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics is a national leader in pediatric medicine. The Department's mission is to provide outstanding care to the children of Iowa and beyond by being a leader in state-of-the-art clinical care to children, performing cutting-edge research to find new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses, and educating the next generation of pediatric health care providers. The Department comprises the medical and research staff of UI Stead Family Children's Hospital. UI Stead Family Children's Hospital is one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric care and research institutions, and Iowa's only comprehensive children's hospital.
About The Division of Neonatology
The nationally recognized Division of Neonatology is committed to providing innovative, comprehensive, high-quality care from our team that results in the best outcomes for infants cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Each year, approximately 950 babies receive a range of neonatal services in the 88-bed NICU, Iowa's only Level IV NICU that has been consistently ranked among the top NICUs in the country for over 10 years. The program is home to world leading programs in both neonatal hemodynamics and extreme prematurity. The scope and expertise of divisional neonatologists and pediatric colleagues is such that they are resourced to provide a level of care and services unavailable in most NICUs, including subspecialty neonatal hemodynamics, neurocritical care and extreme prematurity programs, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis.
Education Requirement:
  • A Master's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience Requirements:
  • 3-5 years of experience in health care clinical research
  • Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment where people feel safe and appreciated; or demonstrated the ability to do so
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Ability to travel out-of-state, less than 10%

Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of regulatory guidelines and procedures
  • Previous experience in neonatology
  • Previous experience in IRB, FDA regulations and budget development
  • Previous supervisory experience
  • Previous experience with Redcap and proficiency with Excel

Position and Application details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

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 additional questions, please contact pedsuichildrenshr@healthcare.uiowa.edu
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

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