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Translational Research Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UCLA Outpatient Clinics

$148K - $352K/yr

Description The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is seeking an experienced Nurse Director to lead operations for the UCLA Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC), a ...

Manhattan Strategy Group

The Education Research Director will provide senior leadership for major federally funded education ... Substantial experience leading or contributing to applied education research, research translation ...

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$57.5K

$191.3K

$230.5K

How much do translational research director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for translational research director in the United States is $191,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,500.00 and $229,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a translational research director?

A Translational Research Director is a senior leader who oversees research projects that bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications in healthcare. They are responsible for guiding teams that translate basic scientific findings into new treatments, therapies, or medical technologies. This role often involves collaborating with scientists, clinicians, and regulatory bodies to ensure that promising research can be safely and efficiently advanced to benefit patients. Translational Research Directors also manage budgets, set strategic goals, and monitor the progress of projects from conception to implementation.

How does a translational research director collaborate with clinical and laboratory teams to advance research projects?

A Translational Research Director plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical application. They frequently coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including scientists, clinicians, and regulatory experts, to ensure that research findings are efficiently moved from the bench to the bedside. This often involves overseeing collaborative meetings, aligning research goals with clinical needs, and facilitating communication between teams to address scientific, logistical, and regulatory challenges. Their leadership fosters an environment where innovative ideas can be translated into real-world therapies and interventions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a translational research director?

To thrive as a Translational Research Director, you need advanced scientific expertise (often a PhD or MD), project management skills, and a strong background in clinical and preclinical research. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), clinical trial management software, and regulatory compliance certifications such as GCP are typically required. Excellent leadership, strategic communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills set top candidates apart in this role. These abilities are essential for effectively bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical application, ensuring successful translation of research into patient care.

What is the difference between Translational Research Director vs Clinical Research Manager?

AspectTranslational Research DirectorClinical Research Manager
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD, MD), research experienceBachelor's or Master's in life sciences, clinical research experience
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, biotech companies, academiaPharmaceutical companies, clinical trial sites, healthcare organizations
Employer & Industry UsageFocus on bridging lab research to clinical applicationOversees clinical trial operations and management

While both roles involve research and clinical settings, the Translational Research Director primarily focuses on transforming laboratory findings into clinical applications, requiring advanced research credentials. In contrast, the Clinical Research Manager manages the day-to-day operations of clinical trials, often with a background in clinical sciences. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What cities are hiring for Translational Research Director jobs?

Cities with the most Translational Research Director job openings:

What states have the most Translational Research Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Translational Research Director jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Translational Research Director jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Translational Research Director job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 77% In-person, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $191,320 per year, or $92 per hour.

Director of Translational Research Operations

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

The University of Pennsylvania
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees
Learn more about The University of Pennsylvaniaexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 22 days ago

University Of Pennsylvania rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Director of Translational Research Operations
Job Profile Title
Director D, Research
Job Description Summary
The Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H) at the University of Pennsylvania aims to translate immune data into clinically actionable measurements, drive new discoveries, and shift paradigms of clinical care. I3H is seeking a Director for the Translational Research Unit who bridges scientific research with business and commercial goals.
This position serves as a senior leader responsible for developing business and product strategies, managing budgets, overseeing projects from conception to completion, and collaborating with cross-functional teams including R&D. The Director will translate complex scientific concepts for business purposes and ensure projects align with both scientific integrity and commercial viability.
The Director will manage the Translational Research Unit staff, develop and implement strategic objectives aligned with the larger goals of Immune Health, and support financial management and growth of the service center. This includes identifying and proposing improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency throughout the sample lifecycle; collaborating on service rate development and billing oversight; establishing QA/QC protocols; and serving as the primary point-of-contact for internal and external investigators.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
  • Manage a team of operations and scientific professionals, setting and monitoring goals, addressing performance challenges, and overseeing hiring and onboarding for Translational Research Unit staff.
  • Develop business and product strategies; work with the Director of Immune Health to align goals and strategy of the Translational Unit with overall goals of Immune Health.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Finance to develop updated service rates, oversee billing for services, and provide quarterly reports capturing itemized expenditures and revenue.
  • Serve as point-of-contact for internal and external investigators interested in using Translational Research Unit services; ensure seamless communication for new study planning and onboarding.
  • Establish and oversee QA and QC protocols for each service in the Translational Research Unit, ensuring data is routinely recorded, organized, and stored; create and oversee project trackers.
  • Identify and propose improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency throughout the sample lifecycle, working with the Assistant Directors of Processing and Platforms.
  • Lead conceptual development and maintenance of client-facing website; develop internal- and external-facing tracking system for clinical cohorts and services in collaboration with the data infrastructure team.
  • Work collaboratively with the Director of R&D to develop and implement new services; partner with communications staff to develop marketing materials; draft and negotiate MOUs for external partners.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years or Master of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.The individual should have proven experience in organizational growth, change leadership, and building high-functioning teams in a biomedical science environment. Experience in immunology is strongly preferred. The individual should have exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to represent the organization effectively at local, national, and global levels.

Position contingent upon funding.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$110,500.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
  • Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  • Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  • Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  • Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  • Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  • Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  • University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  • Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  • Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  • Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  • Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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About University of Pennsylvania

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US

Year founded

1740

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