Research Manager
What this job does:
Sets research direction and methods, plans projects and resources, keeps studies moving through timelines and stakeholders, and translates data into decisions while improving processes.
This job is similar to these lab/research tasks:
Define hypotheses and success metrics; build survey or interview instruments like assays; run data collection with QA checks; analyze results and document assumptions; write clear reports for non-technical stakeholders; present recommendations and limitations
Typical starting salary range
$123,913 to $216,384
Salary estimate represented as 25th to 75th percentile. Gathered from recent job postings, Glassdoor.com, and Salary.com
Daily task breakdown
- Define research questions, study designs, and methods; set success metrics (25%)
- Plan and manage research projects (scope, timeline, budget, resourcing) (25%)
- Data quality oversight and interpretation; translate findings to decisions (20%)
- Stakeholder management and communication (updates, readouts, alignment) (20%)
- Other: people management, process improvement, and compliance (10%)
Skills you'll use in this job:
Research strategy; study design literacy; project and stakeholder management; data interpretation; communication and storytelling; vendor management; prioritization; mentoring/people leadership (for some roles)
Talk about these PhD skills in your resume and interview:
Translate dissertation management into research portfolio management: scoping questions, designing studies, coordinating collaborators, keeping timelines, and delivering decisions. Emphasize leadership, prioritization, and communicating results to stakeholders.
Alternative job titles to search:
Research Project Manager; Research Operations Manager; Research Program Manager; Scientific Program Manager; Research Lead
*Note:
-Job titles are inconsistent between companies. Try various keywords.
-PhDs tend to undershoot seniority level. Target higher than you think.
