Director of Research

The Director of Research will lead a team of researchers to build on a research agenda that advances StartCare’s mission, addresses emerging health and wellness, helps to drive innovative approaches to prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders, and moves a concept along the research continuum from basic research to practice and real-world impact. The Director of Research will work collaboratively with colleagues across StartCare departments as well as with external partners/stakeholders to oversee the execution of the Organization’s research, including data collection and extraction from electronic health records, data cleaning and processing, and management plans to ensure the integrity of study/trial data and that they meet goals of data analysis plans. The Director will ensure all procedures are conducted in compliance with IRB requirements for the ethical conduct of research, as well as with HIPAA and CFR standards for research. This role will serve a crucial role in supporting the dissemination of reports, presentations, and publications that highlight StartCare’s research to position our work at the forefront of innovative and significant scientific inquiry that is relevant to and embraced by the communities we serve. Reporting to the Vice President of Research and Evaluation, the Director of Research leads a team in advancing StartCare’s mission through a dynamic research agenda focused on substance use and mental health. This role drives the translation of research from concept to real-world application, ensuring scientific integrity and compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. Collaborating across departments and with external partners, the Director oversees study design, data management, and analysis, while championing the dissemination of impactful findings that elevate StartCare’s role as a leader in community-centered, innovative research.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Administrative Leadership and Administration

• Supervise and mentor research staff, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and professional growth.
• Oversee research project execution, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and regulatory standards.
• Provide strategic research insights and deliver routine updates to StartCare leadership and stakeholders
  
  

Research development

• Advance a mission-aligned research agenda addressing substance use, mental health, and population wellness.
• Lead the design and implementation of mixed-methods studies, from proposal development through data collection and analysis.
• Drive grant strategy, identifying and pursuing funding opportunities that expand StartCare’s research impact.
• Collaborate across clinical and non-clinical teams to ensure effective study implementation and milestone achievement.
• Partner with the Evaluation Unit to align research initiatives with organizational priorities and real-world outcomes.
  
  

Research Dissemination

• Lead the development of publications, abstracts, presentations, and concept papers to showcase StartCare’s research.
• Represent the organization at conferences, community events, and with external stakeholders.
• Ensure findings are translated into actionable insights that inform policy, practice, and future innovation.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, ScD, or equivalent) in public health, behavioral science, psychology, epidemiology, health services research, or a related field.
• Track record of securing funding, managing research protocols with expertise in participant enrollment, interviews and structured assessments, and experience in supervising research staff.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in health research, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing mixed methods research in clinical or community health settings.
• Strong knowledge of IRB processes, HIPAA, and relevant CFR regulations for research involving human subjects.
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation, including working knowledge of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, NVivo, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and supervise research staff and to manage multiple, concurrent projects.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working in substance use, mental health, or integrated care research.
• Knowledge of and commitment to health equity and community-engaged research approaches.
• Experience using electronic health record (EHR) data for research purposes.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.