Senior Director, Research Strategy & Applied Science

Senior Director, Research Strategy & Applied Science

Washington, United States | Posted on 09/07/2026

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Director, Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) & Applied Science Strategies to lead high-impact scientific research initiatives and translate complex science into actionable strategies, policy insights, and industry solutions.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a scientist with deep experience in the chemical industry, chemical safety, government, or a related scientific field who can operate at the intersection of research, policy, industry, and regulatory decision-making.

The ideal candidate is a strategic scientific leader who can identify emerging issues, build research agendas, manage complex programs, engage senior scientists and executives, and communicate scientific findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Lead all aspects of the LRI program, including contracts, consultants, budgets, resource allocation, expenditures, and program tracking.

Lead the LRI Topic Committee, facilitating discussions among scientists and science leaders from member companies, academia, and government.

Identify emerging scientific issues and establish research priorities aligned with organizational goals.

Develop research strategies, objectives, methodologies, and implementation plans.

Oversee competitive research proposal and bid processes.

Manage the development and execution of approved research initiatives within established budgets and timelines.

Evaluate complex scientific research, data, and emerging findings relevant to chemical safety and policy.

Translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations that support informed organizational and policy decisions.

Apply research findings to improve scientific approaches, methodologies, and policies.

Leverage LRI research results to support member companies and science policy advocacy.

Identify opportunities where emerging research can influence regulatory decision-making and advance scientific understanding.

Establish and maintain relationships with senior scientists, international research organizations, government agencies, academia, and multinational scientific groups.

Collaborate with subject matter experts and scientific leaders across disciplines.

Represent the organization in scientific discussions and initiatives domestically and internationally.

Present research strategies, findings, and recommendations to senior executives, board members, scientists, policymakers, and external stakeholders.

• Master's or Doctoral degree in science, a technical discipline, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in the chemical industry, a related scientific industry, government, or a comparable environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and interpretation of complex scientific studies, particularly studies relevant to chemical safety and policy.
• Experience working with international research organizations and/or multinational scientific initiatives.
• Knowledge of key scientific and chemical assessment programs, organizations, and venues.
• Ability to independently identify research priorities and develop strategic research programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex research programs, budgets, contracts, and external scientific resources.
• Strong ability to communicate complex scientific information to executives, policymakers, scientists, and other non-technical audiences
• Travel up to 20% of the time

• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements related to chemical research and safety.
• Experie…