Research Director

The Research Director will provide scientific leadership and oversight for The CEDAR Center's research activities, with a strong focus on studies addressing cancer, opioid use disorder (OUD), substance use disorders (SUD), and related comorbidities in urban American Indian communities. This position plays a crucial role in building and maintaining research capacity while ensuring all research activities align with Indigenous methodologies and community priorities.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership (40%)

• Take initiative in understanding NACC's clinical, operational, and community systems, independently identifying opportunities and challenges for integrating research activities. Develop and implement an infrastructure that aligns the Research Center's goals with NACC's service models, ensuring a seamless, mutually supportive relationship across departments.
• Establish and lead a framework for collaboration between the Research Center and NACC's clinical and operational teams, designing policies and workflows that uphold research integrity and are attuned to NACC's unique community-focused approach.
• Develop and implement the center's research agenda in collaboration with community partners
• Build and maintain relationships with academic institutions, funding agencies, and community organizations
• Ensure research activities align with Indigenous methodologies and community priorities
• Contribute to grant writing and funding procurement efforts with an emphasis on sustainability

Community Engagement (30%)

• Establish Community and Scientific Advisory Boards
• Work closely with the Community and Scientific Advisory Boards to ensure research reflects community needs
• Facilitate community involvement in all phases of research
• Develop strategies for meaningful community participation
• Ensure research findings are disseminated back to the community
• Build capacity for community-based participatory research

Research Management (20%)

• Provide scientific direction and oversight for all research projects
• Contribute to the conceptual design, implementation, and evaluation of research projects
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and research protocols
• Develop and implement research policies, procedures, and best practices
• Monitor project timelines, deliverables, and outcomes
• Guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation processes
• Oversee the preparation of research reports and manuscripts

Administrative Leadership (10%)

• Participate in center-wide strategic planning
• Contribute to budget development and management
• Mentor and develop research staff
• Represent the center at professional conferences and meetings

• Collaborate with other NACC directors to integrate research into organizational practice

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in public health, medicine, social sciences, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in health research, with demonstrated expertise in Indigenous health
• Strong track record of successful grant writing and publication
• Experience working with urban American Indian communities
• Experience with community-based participatory research methods
• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous research methodologies
• Experience managing research teams and projects
• Strong commitment to health equity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Understanding and commitment to upholding tribal sovereignty and Indigenous data governance
• History of successful collaboration with Indigenous communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Indigenous/Native American heritage strongly preferred
• Knowledge of substance use disorder research and interventions
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Experience with federal grant management
• Knowledge of IRB processes and human subjects protection

• Familiarity with Indigenous healing practices and traditional medicine