Research Director, External Contracts & Select Agent Program

Job Description

Job Description

Research Director, External Contracts & Select Agent Program

Position Details

Compensation: $120,000–$180,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Position Type/Schedule: Full-time, exempt. Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekend work and work-related travel may be required based on operational needs. This position is fully on-site; remote work is not available.
Work Location: Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH), 6502 S. Archer Rd., Bedford Park, IL 60501.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Illinois Tech is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment-based visa for this position.

Summary
The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) Research Director, External Contracts & Select Agent Program provides scientific and operational leadership in alignment with IFSH strategic initiatives and its portfolio of funded research projects and grants, while serving as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Moffett Campus Select Agent Program. This work includes externally funded projects, faculty collaborations, and leading a team to meet established goals and deliverables.

The Research Director will oversee project execution, support grant and contract development and implementation, supervise training and research staff, and ensure the production of high-quality scholarly and applied research. The Research Director will lead various aspects of research, particularly inactivation studies, high-pressure processing (HPP) validations, pilot plant activities, and related research initiatives, and will provide scientific advice to the IFSH Executive Director and research team. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must satisfy and maintain all applicable security clearance and access requirements associated with working in a secure research facility.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of funded research projects through the design, implementation, and evaluation of research programs.
- Supervise research scientists, project coordinators, postdoctoral fellows, and students, including performance management and professional development.
- Support pilot plant operations and related research activities, including responsibilities associated with serving as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Moffett Campus Select Agent Program and supporting applicable regulatory, security, and compliance requirements.
- Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed journals and national and international conferences, and develop reports, briefs, and presentations for stakeholders.
- Guide and develop project budgets and resource allocation in alignment with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements while managing project timelines, deliverables, and reporting obligations.

Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field or related discipline, with 15+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience serving as a Principal Investigator (PI) on significant grants and/or managing multiple contract research project.
- Demonstrated success securing external research funding and publishing scholarly work.
- Experience supervising and developing research personnel.Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and scientific documentation.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in research records and reporting.

Service Standards and Performance Expectations
- Produces high-quality scientific research, documentation, and project deliverables.
- Maintains accurate and timely records, reports, and laboratory documentation.
- Proactively addresses scientific, operational, and stakeholder needs.
- Manages assigned priorities, timelines, and deliverables effectively.
- Works collaboratively with university colleagues, sponsors, research partners, and other stakeholders.

Supervision & Budget Authority
- Supervises approximately 4–7 research scientists, including exempt and non-exempt employees.
- May provide direction to postdoctoral fellows and students assigned to research projects.
- Manages assigned project budgets and has spending authority of up to $5,000, consistent with university and project requirements.

Physical Qualifications
Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with additional time spent in laboratory, training, pilot plant, and related research settings. The position requires regular computer and documentation work, walking throughout research facilities, occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds, and may involve operating or overseeing specialized research and pilot plant equipment, including high-pressure processing (HPP) systems and thermal processing retorts.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.

Benefits
Illinois Tech offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and
vision coverage; life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees; tuition assistance programs; flexible spending and commuter benefits; an employee assistance program; university holidays; and applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits. Eligibility, waiting periods, employee contributions, and coverage levels vary by benefit and position. Additional information is available at

EEO Statement
Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion, and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.