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Study Director Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Study Directors serve as the key connection between our customers and laboratory teams, helping ensure testing is clearly understood, properly coordinated, scientifically sound, and completed in ...

Director of Toxicology

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

This leadership role will be responsible for overseeing study design, execution, and interpretation of nonclinical toxicology studies, while managing and mentoring a team of Study Directors and ...

Analytical Chemist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Function as Study Director on analytical validation studies * Ensure compliance with GLP, SOPs, and regulatory guidelines * Maintain analytical instruments and troubleshooting method/instrument ...

Required Experience * 2+ years of global study management experience * Experience across multiple ... Make a direct impact on patient outcomes worldwide IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical ...

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Study Director information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$46.4K

$132.2K

$239.5K

How much do study director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for study director in Chicago, IL is $132,237.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,700.00 and $194,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Study Director vs Laboratory Manager?

AspectStudy DirectorLaboratory Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., MS, PhD) and relevant certificationsRequires relevant degrees and management experience, but not necessarily advanced research credentials
Work EnvironmentLeads specific research or regulatory studies, often in contract labs or pharmaceutical companiesOversees daily lab operations, staff, and compliance across multiple projects
Industry UsageCommonly used in GLP, clinical, and research settingsUsed broadly in laboratory settings across industries

The Study Director focuses on designing, overseeing, and ensuring the integrity of specific studies, often requiring scientific expertise. The Laboratory Manager handles overall lab operations, staff management, and compliance. Both roles are essential but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What is a study director?

A Study Director is the individual responsible for the overall conduct of a scientific study, particularly in regulated environments such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or environmental research. They oversee the planning, execution, and reporting of studies to ensure they comply with regulatory standards, such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). The Study Director acts as the main point of control and communication, coordinating among team members and ensuring that the study meets its scientific and regulatory objectives. Their role is critical for the integrity and quality of the data generated.

How does a study director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a research project?

As a Study Director, you play a central role in coordinating research activities by regularly collaborating with scientists, technicians, quality assurance personnel, and regulatory teams. You are responsible for ensuring all team members are aligned on study objectives, timelines, and compliance requirements. Effective communication and leadership are essential, as you facilitate meetings, delegate tasks, and resolve issues that arise to keep the project on track. This collaborative environment not only fosters professional growth but also provides valuable exposure to various scientific and operational domains within the organization.

What does a study director do?

As a study director, your job is to manage studies, analyze results, and interpret reports so you can deliver a summary of the findings. This work has three categories. First, on the technical side, your job includes creating the plan for the study, coordinating with other scientists, and overseeing data collection. In the administrative role, you monitor junior employees and ensure each investigation finishes within budgetary constraints. In the compliance role, you ensure that each study happens under strict safety and ethics protocols. You may be asked to run multiple studies at the same time, adding to the complexity of this position.

What skills and qualifications does a successful study director have?

To thrive as a Study Director, you need a solid background in scientific research methods, regulatory compliance, and study protocol development, usually supported by an advanced degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, and project management tools is highly valued. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing cross-functional teams and ensuring study integrity. These competencies are vital to ensure regulatory adherence, data accuracy, and successful project outcomes in research environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Study jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Study jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Study Director jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Study Director jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Study Director jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Study Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Study Director job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,237 per year, or $63.6 per hour.

Study Director I

Sotera Health

Itasca, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

The name Sotera Health was inspired by Soteria, the Greek goddess of safety, and reflects the Company's unwavering commitment to its mission, Safeguarding Global Health.

Sotera Health Company is a leading global provider of mission-critical sterilization and lab testing and advisory services for the healthcare industry. With a combined tenure across our businesses of nearly 200 years and our industry recognized scientific and technological expertise, we help to ensure the safety of millions of patients and healthcare practitioners around the world every year.

Across our 64 facilities worldwide, we have over 3,000 employees who are dedicated to safety and quality. We are a trusted partner to more than 5,800 customers in over 50 countries, including more than 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

The name Sotera Health was inspired by Soteria, the Greek goddess of safety, and reflects the Company's unwavering commitment to its mission, Safeguarding Global Health.

Sotera Health Company is a leading global provider of mission-critical sterilization and lab testing and advisory services for the healthcare industry. With a combined tenure across our businesses of nearly 200 years and our industry recognized scientific and technological expertise, we help to ensure the safety of millions of patients and healthcare practitioners around the world every year.

Across our 64 facilities worldwide, we have over 3,000 employees who are dedicated to safety and quality. We are a trusted partner to more than 5,800 customers in over 50 countries, including more than 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

Turn Science Into Successful Customer Outcomes

Are you a science professional who enjoys working with both technical teams and customers? Do you like coordinating complex work, solving problems, communicating clearly, and helping projects move from initial requirements through final results?

We are seeking a Study Director to support current and upcoming opportunities across our specialized laboratory teams.

Important note about the title: The Study Director is an individual contributor role, not a people-management or executive Director position. Study Directors serve as the key connection between our customers and laboratory teams, helping ensure testing is clearly understood, properly coordinated, scientifically sound, and completed in alignment with customer and regulatory requirements.

What You'll Do

As a Study Director, you will serve as a key point of coordination and communication for assigned laboratory studies. You will work closely with customers, laboratory teams, and internal partners to help ensure studies are clearly defined, properly executed, accurately documented, and completed on time.

Depending on your assigned laboratory area, you may:

  • Serve as a primary point of contact for customers regarding assigned studies

  • Meet with customers to understand testing needs, study requirements, timelines, and expectations

  • Translate customer requirements into clear direction for laboratory teams

  • Coordinate study activities from initiation through final reporting

  • Maintain regular communication with customers regarding study progress, updates, and questions

  • Review, interpret, analyze, and document study data and results

  • Ensure final reports accurately reflect testing data, results, and conclusions

  • Review raw data, calculations, statistics, controls, and study documentation for accuracy

  • Maintain sample and data traceability throughout testing

  • Ensure testing is conducted according to approved procedures and applicable requirements

  • Collaborate with laboratory analysts to ensure study requirements and testing expectations are understood

  • Identify, document, and help resolve unexpected circumstances, deviations, or quality events

  • Partner with Sales and other internal teams on testing requirements, quotes, and customer needs

  • Update study information in CRM and laboratory systems

  • Coordinate workflow and priorities to support customer expectations and study timelines

  • Contribute to continuous improvement of procedures, documentation, and laboratory processes

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Strong Study Directors combine scientific understanding with communication, organization, and customer service.

You may be a strong fit if you:

  • Enjoy working directly with customers and building trusted professional relationships

  • Can understand technical or scientific requirements and communicate them clearly

  • Are comfortable coordinating multiple studies, priorities, and deadlines

  • Have strong attention to detail and documentation skills

  • Can review data critically and identify inconsistencies or potential issues

  • Enjoy solving problems and troubleshooting

  • Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

  • Work well across laboratory, quality, sales, and customer-facing teams

  • Take ownership of projects and follow through on commitments

  • Are comfortable working in a regulated, procedure-driven environment

  • Can balance scientific quality, customer expectations, and timelines

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree, with a degree in life sciences or a related scientific field strongly preferred

  • Associate degree or equivalent combined with relevant laboratory experience

  • Significant relevant laboratory experience combined with demonstrated proficiency in study coordination

Experience in laboratory testing, life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, quality, regulated environments, technical customer service, or scientific project coordination may be beneficial.

Technical & Professional Skills

Successful candidates may bring experience or aptitude in areas such as:

  • Laboratory testing, equipment, and procedures

  • Good Documentation Practice (GDP)

  • GLP, GMP, ISO, or other regulated quality environments

  • Data and report review

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving

  • Project and workflow coordination

  • Customer communication

  • Technical writing and documentation

  • Microsoft Office and laboratory information systems

  • Managing multiple priorities and deadlines

Pay: The hourly pay range for this position is $22.12 to $34.62. The starting rate for a successful candidate will be determined based on job-related qualifications, skills, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and market conditions. While the full range reflects the potential earning opportunity for the role, new hires are typically placed within a portion of the range that is appropriate for their qualifications and experience.

Why Join Us?

Study Directors play a critical role in connecting customer needs with laboratory execution. You will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of science, customer partnership, and project coordination while supporting testing for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

This role can be an excellent fit for laboratory professionals who want to expand beyond primarily bench-based work, as well as science professionals who enjoy customer interaction, technical problem-solving, and coordinating complex projects.

You will have the opportunity to:

  • Build expertise in regulated laboratory testing

  • Develop strong customer-facing and consultative skills

  • Coordinate scientifically and technically complex studies

  • Work cross-functionally with laboratory, quality, sales, and technical teams

  • Grow your career within a global life sciences organization

If you enjoy science but also want to communicate, coordinate, solve problems, and work directly with customers, we encourage you to apply.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position operates in a professional laboratory environment and may involve the use of standard office and laboratory equipment. Depending on the assigned laboratory area, employees may be exposed to biological or chemical hazards and are expected to follow all applicable biosafety, chemical hygiene, and personal protective equipment requirements.

The role may require standing, walking between office and laboratory areas, sitting at a computer workstation, bending, stooping, crouching, occasional pushing or pulling, and lifting up to 45 pounds.

Occasional local or overnight travel may be required.

Sotera Health goes to market through its three best-in-class businesses - Sterigenics, Nordion and Nelson Labs. Sterigenics is a leading global provider of outsourced terminal sterilization and irradiation services for the medical device, pharmaceutical, food safety and advanced applications markets. Nordion is the leading global provider of Co-60 and gamma irradiators, which are key components to the gamma sterilization process. Nelson Labs is a global leader in outsourced microbiological and analytical chemistry testing and advisory services for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

Sotera Health goes to market through its three best-in-class businesses - Sterigenics, Nordion and Nelson Labs. Sterigenics is a leading global provider of outsourced terminal sterilization and irradiation services for the medical device, pharmaceutical, food safety and advanced applications markets. Nordion is the leading global provider of Co-60 and gamma irradiators, which are key components to the gamma sterilization process. Nelson Labs is a global leader in outsourced microbiological and analytical chemistry testing and advisory services for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.