Chief Research Officer

THE ORGANIZATION:

Truth Initiative is the nation’s leading nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empowering quitting for all. Through groundbreaking research, policy leadership, youth engagement, and innovative public education campaigns, Truth Initiative has played a transformative role in reducing tobacco use across the United States.

As the addiction landscape evolves, Truth Initiative is expanding its scientific focus beyond tobacco and nicotine to better understand the broader ecosystem of substance use and addiction, behavioral health, emerging nicotine products, cannabis use, and the growing challenge of polysubstance use among youth and young adults. Truth Initiative is also expanding its portfolio of externally funded research through partnerships with federal agencies, foundations, and academic institutions.

SCIENTIFIC AMBITION:

Truth Initiative is entering a new phase of scientific leadership. Building on its reputation as a leading authority on tobacco and nicotine addiction, the organization seeks to expand its scientific leadership in addiction science, behavioral health, and the factors that influence addiction, prevention, cessation, and treatment.

The Chief Research Officer will help position Truth Initiative as a premier interdisciplinary center for addiction science—advancing research on the behavioral and mental health dimensions of addiction; deepening understanding of polysubstance use and comorbidities; and translating scientific insight into effective prevention, cessation, and treatment strategies.

Through rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and science-driven public health innovation, the CRO will help shape the next generation of evidence that informs policy, improves health outcomes, and reduces addiction-related harms.

THE ROLE:

Truth Initiative seeks an experienced, visionary scientific leader to serve as Chief Research Officer (CRO). The CRO will guide the organization's research strategy and lead the continued evolution of its scientific agenda, building on Truth Initiative's leadership in tobacco and nicotine research while expanding the organization's contributions to addiction science, behavioral health, and emerging public health challenges.

The CRO will oversee a multidisciplinary research portfolio that integrates population science, behavioral health, addiction research, and policy research to better understand addiction pathways, mental health interactions, and effective prevention and cessation strategies.

Working closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team, the CRO will shape the organization’s long-term scientific agenda, expand external funding opportunities, build new research collaborations, and strengthen Truth Initiative’s role as a trusted scientific authority in addiction and public health.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (*ESSENTIAL DUTIES):

Strategic Scientific Leadership

• Guide the expansion of the organization’s research agenda from tobacco and nicotine to a broader focus on addiction science, behavioral health, and polysubstance use and other factors that influence addiction and health outcomes.*

• Advance research on the health, behavioral, and cognitive impacts of substance use, including tobacco and nicotine products, cannabis, and other emerging public health concerns relevant to youth and young adults.*

• Integrate insights from neuroscience, behavioral science, epidemiology, and public health to better understand addiction risk, progression, and treatment.*

• Identify emerging addiction trends and research priorities that inform prevention strategies.*

• Guide cutting-edge research that advances evidence-based tobacco, nicotine, and public health policies related to addiction prevention and cessation at local, state and federal levels.*

Research Portfolio and Program Leadership

• Lead and mentor a high-performing interdisciplinary research team with training and backgrounds in health communication, tobacco control policy, social and behavioral epidemiology, surveillance, and health economics.

• Build and oversee interdisciplinary research programs examining polysubstance use, addiction pathways, behavioral health impacts, cessation and intervention strategies, and policy and regulatory impacts across tobacco and nicotine, cannabis, and other relevant public health concerns.*

• Evaluate Truth Initiative’s media campaigns.*

• Collaborate with senior leadership to support organizational evaluation and monitoring of progress toward long-term goals, including modeling of past and future public health outcomes.

Addiction and Mental Health Research

• Lead research examining the intersections of addiction and mental health, including co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and behavioral health challenges.*

• Develop research programs exploring how mental health, stress, trauma, and social determinants of health influence addiction vulnerability and treament.*

• Develop research programs exploring how mental health, stress, trauma, and social determinants of health influence addiction vulnerability, prevention, cessation, and long-term health outcomes.

• Advance understanding of the cognitive and emotional impacts of substance use, particularly among youth and young adults.

• Foster collaboration with experts in psychology, psychiatry, behavioral medicine, and addiction science.

External Funding and Partnerships

• Expand the organization’s portfolio of externally funded research through grants and contracts.*

• Develop and sustain partnerships with academic institutions, clinical researchers, public health agencies, and policy organizations to expand externally funded research opportunities and build research capacity in addiction science.

• Secure funding from federal agencies, foundations, and other sponsors to support innovative research programs.*

Scientific Leadership and Public Engagement

• Represent Truth Initiative at major scientific conferences and public health forums.

• Contribute to national conversations on addiction science, behavioral health, and substance use policy.

• Engage with the Board of Directors to keep this governing body informed on emerging scientific developments and the organization’s research impact.*

• Support science communication and media engagement to translate research findings for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. 

Organizational Leadership

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary research team, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and innovation.*

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Truth Initiative’s program teams.

• Serve as the Research Institutional Compliance Officer, ensuring adherence to relevant research laws, regulations, and policies.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Passion for Truth Initiative’s mission and commitment to improving public health.

• Deep scientific expertise in addiction science, behavioral health, substance use research, or related fields.

• Strategic vision for addressing polysubstance use, addiction risk factors, and emerging addiction challenges.

• Strategic vision for addressing polysubstance use, addiction risk factors, and emerging public health challenges that affect addiction prevention, cessation, and behavioral health outcomes.

• Ability to integrate insights from behavioral science, epidemiology, psychology, and public health.

• Strong executive leadership and collaboration skills.

• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex science for diverse audiences.

• Strong business acumen and experience managing complex research portfolios.

• High integrity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to lead in a rapidly evolving field.

REQUIRED AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in public health, behavioral science, psychology, epidemiology, psychiatry, or a related health science discipline.

• 20+ years of research leadership experience in academic, nonprofit, or public health settings.

• Recognized expertise in addiction science, behavioral health, or substance use research.

• Track record of leading interdisciplinary research programs examining addiction pathways, mental health comorbidities, or prevention and treatment interventions.

• Demonstrated success securing and managing major research funding from federal agencies, foundations, or other sponsors.

• Strong collaborations and professional relationships within addiction science, behavioral health, or substance use research communities.

• Experience translating research findings into policy, practice, or public health interventions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is based in Washington, D.C. with a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two telework days.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or disability.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

The salary range for this role is starting at $320,000-$340,000 per year on a national basis. Individual pay decisions are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to qualifications for the role, relevant work experience, skillset, internal equity, location, and certifications, consistent with applicable law. Salary is just one part of our total rewards package which additionally includes performance bonus for eligible roles, and competitive benefits. 

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume here

OR

mail application materials to:

Human Resources

Attn: Chief Research Officer

900 G Street, NW

Fourth Floor

Washington, DC 20001

Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io

No telephone calls please.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or disability.

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