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Research Program Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Research Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

As a Research Program Manager, you will play a central role in coordinating the development, release, and communication of these benchmarks. You'll work across research, operations, and marketing to ...

State of South Carolina

Research Program Manager

Columbia, SC · On-site

$58K - $64K/yr

Job Responsibilities Research Program Manager Department: CON College of Nursing Advertised Salary Range: Part/Full Time: Full Time About UofSC From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of ...

NYULMC

Research Program Manager

New York, NY · On-site

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Research Program Manager. In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing broad range of complex program coordination.

The State of Arizona

Research Program Manager 1

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$70K - $80K/yr

Research Program Manager 1 Apply now Job No: 541105 Work Type: Full-time Location: PHOENIX Categories: Research, Program Management, Misc/Other/Not Applicable DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION Be a part of an ...

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Research Program Manager information

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$38.5K

$107.5K

$157K

How much do research program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for research program manager in the United States is $107,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research Program Manager vs Research Coordinator?

AspectResearch Program ManagerResearch Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; experience in research managementBachelor's degree; often entry-level or related experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, manages teams, liaises with stakeholdersSupports research activities, manages data collection, assists with study logistics
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech companiesAcademic institutions, clinical research organizations, hospitals
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles in research projectsEntry-level research support roles

The Research Program Manager typically oversees multiple research projects, manages teams, and coordinates with stakeholders, requiring more experience and advanced credentials. In contrast, Research Coordinators focus on supporting research activities, managing data collection, and assisting with logistics, often at an entry-level. Both roles are essential in research settings but differ in scope, responsibilities, and experience requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, research methodologies, and a relevant academic background such as a master's or PhD in a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Asana or Microsoft Project), research compliance systems, and data analysis software is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills help you coordinate teams and manage stakeholder expectations effectively. These competencies ensure research projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to rigorous academic or industry standards.

How does a Research Program Manager typically collaborate with principal investigators and research teams?

A Research Program Manager plays a central role in coordinating between principal investigators, research staff, and administrative personnel. They facilitate regular meetings, ensure project milestones are met, and help resolve any logistical or resource challenges that arise. By managing timelines, budgets, and compliance requirements, they act as a bridge to keep all team members aligned and informed. This collaborative approach not only streamlines communication but also supports successful grant submissions and project outcomes.

What is a Research Program Manager?

A Research Program Manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of research projects within an organization or academic setting. They coordinate between researchers, stakeholders, and administrative teams to ensure projects meet objectives, stay within budget, and follow timelines. Their responsibilities often include managing resources, monitoring progress, facilitating communication, and ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements. Research Program Managers play a critical role in translating research goals into actionable plans and successful outcomes.
More about Research Program Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Program Manager jobs? Cities with the most Research Program Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Program jobs? The most popular types of Research Program jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Research Program Manager jobs? The top employers for Research Program Manager jobs are:
What states have the most Research Program Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Program Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Research Program Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Research Program Manager jobs are:
Research Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Program Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,460 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Research Program Manager

Mercor

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About Mercor
Mercor's mission is to organize human intelligence to power the AI economy. We partner with leading AI labs and enterprises to provide the human intelligence essential to AI development. Our vast talent network trains frontier AI models in the same way teachers teach students: by sharing knowledge, experience, and context that can't be captured in code alone. Today, more than 30,000 experts in our network collectively earn over $3 million a day.
Mercor is creating a new category of work where expertise powers AI advancement. Achieving this requires an ambitious, fast-paced and deeply committed team. You'll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the systems that are redefining society. Mercor is a profitable Series C company valued at $10 billion. We work in-person five days a week in our San Francisco, NYC, or London offices.
About the Role
Mercor is building benchmarks and evaluation systems that help measure and improve frontier AI models. As a Research Program Manager, you will play a central role in coordinating the development, release, and communication of these benchmarks. You'll work across research, operations, and marketing to ensure evaluations are executed rigorously, results are shared with the broader AI community, and new benchmarks launch smoothly. This is a hands-on role that requires strong attention to detail, high-intensity problem-solving, and a passion for building scalable processes that support cutting-edge AI research.
Core Responsibilities
As a research program manager, you will:
  • Coordinate the release of new benchmarks
  • Maintain and update Mercor's leaderboards and website
  • Submit results to leaderboards, competitions and community pages (e.g., Hugging Face)
  • Run and monitor new evals
  • Support with marketing for benchmarks and evals, including new blogs and socials
  • Develop the messaging for new benchmark releases
  • Coordinate delivery of eval reports
  • Build relationships in the AI evals + data ecosystem

What We're Looking For
  • Experience: Background in consulting, tech, project management or research support, ideally 2-3 years of professional experience.
  • Skills: Strong analytical and communication abilities; proven track record of managing complex projects.
  • Mindset: Excited by "gritty" process optimization and large-scale execution.

Compensation
  • Base cash comp from $120K-$200k
  • Aggressive performance bonus structure
  • Competitive equity grant
  • $15K relocation bonus (for moving to the Bay Area)
  • $10K housing bonus (if you live within 0.5 miles of our office)
  • $1.5K monthly stipend for meals
  • $200 monthly laundry reimbursement
  • $200 monthly personal wellness reimbursement
  • Free Equinox membership
  • Health, Dental, Vision insurance401(k) with company match

Apply