Research Director – Industry Contracts, Health Programs

Illinois Institute of Technology

Research Director leading funded food safety and nutrition research at Illinois Tech’s Institute of Food Safety and Health. Managing grants, contracts, staff, budgets, publications, and research partnerships.

Posted 8/8/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $120,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in managing funded research projects, including grant development, project budgeting, and compliance. Proven ability to lead and develop research teams while producing high-quality scholarly publications and securing external funding.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Ph.D. In NutritionPrincipal Investigator ExperienceGrant DevelopmentProject ManagementSupervision Of Research Personnel

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Research Program DesignProject BudgetingData AnalysisScientific WritingPerformance Management

Soft Skills

CommunicationOrganizational SkillsProblem-SolvingAttention To DetailCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeResearch SoftwareLaboratory Equipment

Certifications & Qualifications

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training

Industry Keywords

Nutrition ResearchFood ScienceExternal Research FundingCompliance RequirementsScholarly Publications

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of funded research projects through research program design, implementation, and evaluation
Supervise research scientists, project coordinators, postdoctoral fellows, students, and other assigned personnel, including performance management and professional development
Support laboratory operations and related research activities
Develop and support grant, contract, and other externally funded opportunities that advance research programs and generate new revenue streams
Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, reports, briefs, and stakeholder presentations
Develop project budgets and guide resource allocation while managing timelines, deliverables, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements
Provide scientific and operational leadership aligned with IFSH Center for Nutrition Research strategic initiatives
Provide scientific advice to the IFSH Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Research Director, and research team
Produce high-quality scholarly and applied research
Manage assigned project budgets with spending authority up to $5,000

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ph.D. in nutrition, food science, biology, zoology, or a related field
15+ years of relevant experience and accomplishments
Experience serving as a Principal Investigator on significant grants and/or managing multiple contract research projects
Demonstrated success securing external research funding and producing scholarly publications
Experience supervising and developing research personnel
Strong scientific, analytical, problem-solving, communication, organizational, and project management skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other relevant research and administrative software
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in scientific records, reports, and technical documentation
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training
Must satisfy and maintain all applicable security clearance and access requirements for a secure research facility
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Must be able to work fully on-site in Chicago
Ability to work Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; occasional weekends and work-related travel may be required
Ability to perform regular computer and documentation work, walk throughout research facilities, occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and operate or oversee specialized research and laboratory equipment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Life and long-term disability insurance
403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees
Tuition assistance programs
Flexible spending and commuter benefits
Employee assistance program
University holidays
Applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits
Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities