Spinal Cord Injury Research Director

United States | Remote within GA, LA, OK, TN or TX | Direct Hire

The Opportunity

A major healthcare and rehabilitation organization is seeking an accomplished Director of Rehabilitation Research to provide strategic and scientific leadership for a Spinal Cord Injury research program.

This executive-level position will oversee a portfolio of clinical and translational rehabilitation research while maintaining an active research program of its own. The Director will shape research strategy, lead investigators and research teams, develop externally funded initiatives, establish collaborative scientific partnerships, and help advance the organization's national research profile.

The successful candidate will bring a strong record of federally funded research, peer-reviewed scientific publication, program leadership, investigator development, and collaboration across clinical, academic, and research organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and scientific leadership for a major rehabilitation research program.
• Develop short- and long-term research vision, priorities, and strategic plans.
• Lead a portfolio of Spinal Cord Injury and rehabilitation research initiatives.
• Maintain an active program of rehabilitation research.
• Develop major research initiatives and external funding opportunities.
• Lead federal grant development and broader research funding strategies.
• Provide scientific and administrative leadership to investigators and research staff.
• Mentor investigators and support development of emerging research leaders.
• Support clinical and research staff involved in scientific initiatives.
• Develop and expand collaborative relationships with physicians, clinicians, academic institutions, community partners, and national research organizations.
• Maintain existing research collaborations and establish new scientific partnerships.
• Advise executive leadership on research strategy and scientific priorities.
• Support recruitment of investigators and physicians involved in research initiatives.
• Participate in efforts to secure philanthropic and external support for research programs.
• Represent the research program with high-profile public agencies, private organizations, professional associations, and scientific institutions.
• Oversee research program resources, organizational development, and strategic priorities.
• Promote high-impact research, peer-reviewed publication, innovation, and scientific visibility.

Required Qualifications

• Medical Doctorate (MD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
• Minimum of 7 years of previous administrative experience as a Program Director, Department Head, Principal Investigator, or equivalent research leadership role.
• Strong track record of federal grant development and successful research funding.
• Demonstrated knowledge of funding sources relevant to rehabilitation research.
• Strong or outstanding national reputation in medical rehabilitation research.
• Substantial record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience in research design, data analysis, and scientific publication.
• Experience managing scientific programs and research portfolios.
• Clinical and/or translational research experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative research relationships.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing investigators and research professionals.

Research Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will combine scientific credibility with executive-level research leadership.

This individual should have demonstrated success developing federally funded research, leading complex scientific programs, mentoring investigators, publishing high-impact research, and building relationships across clinical, academic, governmental, and scientific organizations.

The position requires an active scientific leader who can both shape organizational research strategy and personally contribute to an ongoing program of rehabilitation research.

Work Arrangement

Remote work options are available only for candidates based in one of the following states:

• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Oklahoma
• Tennessee
• Texas

Travel of up to 20% may be required.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.