Senior Director, Long-Range Research Initiative / Applied Science

Senior Director, Long-Range Research Initiative / Applied Science

Washington, DC | Full-Time | $211,629 – $253,955
Scientific Research / Chemical Safety / Regulatory Science | Senior Director

We are seeking aSenior Director of Applied Science and Research to lead a major long-range scientific research initiative focused on chemical safety, emerging scientific issues, and the application of research to regulatory and policy decision-making.

This senior leadership position combinesscientific strategy, research program management, regulatory science, stakeholder engagement, and international collaboration. The ideal candidate brings deep scientific expertise along with the ability to manage complex research portfolios, budgets, external researchers, and relationships across industry, academia, government, and the international scientific community.

Position Overview

The Senior Director will oversee all aspects of a long-range scientific research program, including research strategy, project selection, budgeting, contracts, external research partnerships, and the translation of scientific findings into actionable recommendations.

The role also serves as a senior scientific resource to internal teams and external stakeholders, helping integrate research findings and data analysis into organizational and policy positions.

The position reports directly to the Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Research Strategy

• Identify emerging scientific issues and research priorities
• Develop long-term research strategies aligned with organizational objectives
• Establish research goals, methodologies, and implementation plans
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to translate scientific findings into actionable recommendations
• Apply research findings to improve scientific methods, approaches, and decision-making

Research Program Management

• Manage the full research program portfolio
• Oversee research contracts and consultant relationships
• Manage program budgets, resource allocation, and expenditure tracking
• Develop and implement approved requests for research and scientific proposals
• Manage competitive processes for selecting research projects and external partners
• Monitor multiple research initiatives, deliverables, deadlines, and outcomes

Scientific Committees & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage a scientific topic committee composed of scientists and science leaders from member organizations, academia, and government
• Develop meeting agendas and facilitate discussions around research priorities and emerging scientific issues
• Build and maintain relationships with senior scientists and scientific organizations
• Engage government agencies, academic institutions, industry scientists, and other external partners

Applied & Regulatory Science

• Analyze and interpret complex scientific studies relevant to chemical safety and policy
• Apply scientific data and research findings to regulatory and policy considerations
• Support evidence-based regulatory decision-making
• Translate scientific findings into useful recommendations for internal teams and external stakeholders
• Contribute to scientific publications, reports, and policy briefs

International Research Collaboration

• Coordinate with international research organizations and scientific groups
• Support alignment of research priorities across global initiatives
• Develop relationships with international scientists and research organizations
• Facilitate collaboration on multinational scientific priorities and research programs

Executive Communication

• Present scientific strategies, research findings, and recommendations to senior internal and external stakeholders
• Communicate with executives and board-level audiences
• Translate complex scientific information for technical and non-technical audiences
• Provide scientific consultation to organizational leadership and member stakeholders

Required Qualifications

•Master's or Doctoral degree in a scientific or related technical discipline
•10+ years of experience within the chemical industry, related industry, or government
• Experience managing complex scientific programs or research portfolios
• Demonstrated project management experience, including budgeting and resource allocation
• Strong scientific data analysis and interpretation skills
• Experience evaluating complex scientific studies related to chemical safety and policy
• Experience contributing to scientific publications, technical reports, or policy briefs
• Experience developing scientific strategies and implementation plans
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Experience building relationships across scientific, academic, industry, and government communities
• Experience with key scientific and chemical assessment programs and venues

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral-level scientific training
• Background in toxicology, environmental science, public health, or a related discipline
• Experience with chemical safety or regulatory science
• Knowledge of chemical regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements
• Experience with risk assessment methodologies
• Experience working with international scientific or research organizations
• Experience participating in multinational research initiatives
• Experience developing or evaluating research proposals
• Research grant or funding experience
• Experience managing externally conducted research
• Strong science communication skills, particularly translating complex scientific findings for policymakers and non-technical audiences

Key Skills

Scientific Program Leadership
Applied Science
Regulatory Science
Chemical Safety
Research Strategy
Scientific Research Management
Risk Assessment
Toxicology
Environmental Science
Public Health
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Research Portfolio Management
Scientific Project Management
Budget Management
Research Contracts
Grant & Proposal Evaluation
Stakeholder Management
Government Relations
Scientific Communication
Policy Development
International Research Collaboration
Executive Presentations

Compensation

• Base Salary: $211,629 – $253,955 annually
• Regular full-time position

Additional Details

• Location: Washington, DC
• Reports to the Vice President, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs
• Senior Director-level position
• Significant interaction with executives, board members, scientists, academia, government agencies, and international scientific organizations