Research Director, Social Action Lab

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Pennsylvania.

📋 Description

• Deliver strategic and scientific direction for research and public health programs, with a focus on rural communities.

• Partner with the team to set priorities, uncover growth prospects, and ensure research endeavors meet community demands and public health objectives.

• Supervise the planning, execution, assessment, and daily oversight of intricate projects.

• Establish and sustain robust collaborations with academic institutions, community organizations, public health departments, and other stakeholders.

• Represent the Lab at external forums, promote meaningful partnerships, and explore new collaboration and funding avenues.

• Lead or assist in the development of research grant proposals, research goals, implementation strategies, budgets, manuscripts, reports, and public-facing materials.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to staff, trainees, and project teams by defining clear roles, workflows, and expectations.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.

• Candidates holding a PhD with 10+ years of pertinent experience in public health, social sciences, health services research, community-engaged research, implementation science, behavioral science, public policy, epidemiology, or related fields are highly preferred.

• Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder research or public health initiatives.

• Extensive experience collaborating with external partners such as community-based organizations, public health departments, healthcare systems, government agencies, and stakeholders in rural communities.

• Demonstrated capability to manage and coordinate work across various institutions, organizations, and collaborators.

• Experience in team leadership, staff supervision, mentoring personnel, and handling competing priorities.

• Strong background in grant writing, scientific writing, or proposal development.

• Exceptional organizational, leadership, project management, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Proven ability to work independently, make sound judgments, and drive initiatives from concept to execution.

• History of leading research publications and grant initiatives.

• Required experience in substance use and HIV policy research.

• Experience integrating research programs with local services, public health infrastructure, or community-based delivery systems.

• Familiarity with federally funded grants, foundation grants, cooperative agreements, or large collaborative research projects.

• A track record of contributing to peer-reviewed publications, public health reports, policy briefs, or other dissemination products.

• Experience in community-engaged research, implementation science, health equity, social determinants of health, or intervention development and evaluation.

• Previous leadership experience in the public health arena is strongly preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families.

• Generous retirement plans.

• A diverse range of professional development opportunities.

• Supportive work-life balance and family benefits.

• A plethora of health and wellness programs and resources.