Director of Research
Impact: Intellectual, Societal
Leads and oversees research initiatives, sets strategic direction for research projects, manages research teams, and ensures the quality and impact of research outcomes. This role involves significant leadership, strategic planning, and scientific oversight.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Moderate
- Schedule flexibility
- Moderate
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 45-55 hours per week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $140,000
- Entry-level
- $95,000
- Senior
- $190,000
- Growth by 2033
- 7%
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $80,000 - $150,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Research Methodology
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Statistical Software
- Grant Writing
Soft skills
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Strategic Planning
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctoral or Professional Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8 years
- Years to senior
- 10-15 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Research Scientist
- Senior Research Scientist
- Research Manager
- Director of Research
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- Very High