Assistant Director for Research

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Job Title:

Assistant Director for Research

Department:

John Glenn | Battelle Center

The Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy seeks an Assistant Director for Research with demonstrated experience in leading interdisciplinary research initiatives at the intersection of science, technology, and public policy. This position will serve as a key member of the Center’s leadership team, working closely with the Director and the project leads to shape and execute the Center’s research strategy. Contributes to the generation of external resources to support the research mission and programs of the Battelle Center. 

This position reports directly to the Director of the Battelle Center. Project Leads, program specific staff, student workers and research assistants report directly to the Assistant Director for Research.

The Assistant Director will be responsible for developing and managing a dynamic research portfolio that supports the Center’s mission to advance evidence-based policy through collaborative research and to engage students in research connecting science and technology with public service and policy leadership. This includes:

• Strategic Research Leadership: Designing and implementing an annual research strategy that reflects the Center’s mission and core focus areas.
• Team and Capacity Building: Supervising and mentoring research staff, graduate fellows, and undergraduate researchers; fostering a collaborative and inclusive research environment.
• Faculty and Partner Engagement: Building and sustaining partnerships with OSU faculty across disciplines, as well as with government, industry, and nonprofit stakeholders to enhance research impact and relevance.
• Research Integrity and Quality: Establishing protocols for data management, research ethics, and quality control; overseeing the production of technical reports, policy briefs, and scholarly publications.
• Community and Policy Engagement: Supporting the Center’s public engagement efforts by translating research findings into actionable policy insights and facilitating dialogue between researchers and decision-makers.
• Program Development and Innovation
  Advise the Director on new research formats, models, and strategic initiatives. Support the development of frameworks and tools that enhance policy practice and public understanding of science and technology.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in science or engineering with experience in public policy research, excellent leadership and communication skills, and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and public impact.

Duties Description

Research management and strategic direction: Supports the Battelle Center Director by contributing to leadership of the center, with particular emphasis on establishing and cultivating research partnerships; building and managing the Battelle Center faculty associate/affiliate and staff affiliate programs, and promoting and facilitating Battelle Center research staff engagement and increasing engagement in and visibility of Battelle Center research, scholarship and student research opportunities. Contributes to determining center strategic direction. Develops long and short-term research related goals and objectives for the center and manages project leads in implementing objectives and associated benchmarks. Contributes to center-level strategic planning