Research Director

Biohub is leading the new era of AI-powered biology to cure or prevent disease through its 501c3 medical research organization, with the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

The Team

At Biohub, we build the technology to help scientists around the world use AI-powered biology to study how cells operate, organize, and work as part of systems to understand why disease happens and how to correct it. Our organization brings together biomedical researchers, engineers and data scientists to make medical breakthroughs and develop new discovery platforms, frequently in collaboration with our partner universities. We are guided by our values of scholarly excellence, disruptive innovation, hands-on engineering/hacking/building, partnership and collaboration, open communication and respect, inclusiveness, and opportunity for all.

The Biohub in Chicago is a nonprofit research institute that brings together three powerhouse universities - Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine. Biohub itself supports some of the brightest, boldest engineers, data scientists, and biomedical researchers to make breakthroughs in medicine and develop new technologies, frequently in collaboration with our partner universities. We are guided by our values of scholarly excellence; disruptive innovation; hands-on engineering/hacking/building; partnership and collaboration; open communication and respect; inclusiveness; and opportunity for all.

The Opportunity

Biohub, Chicago seeks a highly motivated and experienced Director, Research to lead the strategy for and manage the execution and coordination of Biohub’s intramural research programs. Reporting to the President, Bioengineering, this individual will play a key role in ensuring Biohub pursues ambitious scientific goals in an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative environment, offering opportunities to work at the leading edge of technology development with applications in human health and disease. 

The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background, exceptional project management and writing skills, and the ability to work and collaborate effectively with our scientific team, institutional leadership, and various stakeholders representing academia, government, and the private sector. The position also involves developing and implementing IP and translational strategies for intramural projects, managing research programs to align with institutional priorities, and providing comprehensive reporting on our scientific progress for leadership and other key stakeholders.

What You'll Do

• Strategy Development:  In collaboration with the President and scientific leadership team, lead strategy development for intramural science programs that align with Biohub’s long-term mission to develop frontier instrumentation to better understand inflammation.   
• Program Development & Management: Work closely with the scientific team to design, implement, and oversee internal research programs that align with Biohub Chicago’s strategic priorities. Manage budgets and timelines for intramural initiatives and contribute to the development of detailed technical plans to ensure successful execution.
• Internal Collaboration: Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and coordinate research activities across different groups within Biohub Chicago and the broader Biohub organization.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Track progress across internal scientific programs, evaluate outcomes, and deliver strategic recommendations for continuous improvement. Proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure program success.
• Intellectual Property Strategy: Assist the scientific team in formulating IP strategies for intramural projects in alignment with organization policies. 
• Leadership Materials and Reporting: Develop materials outlining Biohub Chicago’s intramural strategy and program progress toward our defined goals for leadership and key stakeholders, including for both Biohub Chicago’s and Biohub’s Scientific Advisory Boards.
• External engagement: Represent Biohub, Chicago’s research and work through publications, talks, and stakeholder engagement.

What You'll Bring

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a relevant scientific field
• Substantial experience (typically 5 years) leading research programs in academia, industry, or nonprofits. Industry experience is strongly preferred. 
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to develop detailed project plans, timelines, and schedules; budgeting and financial oversight across multiple initiatives, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to meet milestones and deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research into clear, visual, and written materials.​ Comfort giving and receiving feedback on narrative, visual design, and storytelling to continuously improve external-facing materials.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including experience working with diverse stakeholders and presenting to senior leadership.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex project portfolios.
• Experience working with intellectual property, including prior art searches, patent strategy, and collaborating with tech transfer or legal teams on filings and licensing.​
• Familiarity with translational pathways for scientific or technical innovations.​

Compensation

The Chicago, IL base pay range for a new hire in this role is $215,000 - $295,900. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. 

Better Together

As we grow, we’re excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team’s manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

Benefits for the Whole You 

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
• Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.