Research Director

Research Director

The CEDAR Center at the Native American Community Clinic

Full-Time Position (1.0 FTE)

Lead the Future of Indigenous Healthcare - Join the Native American Community Clinic (NACC)

At the Native American Community Clinic (NACC), we are more than a healthcare provider - we are a driving force for growth, healing, and empowerment within the Indigenous community. Rooted in cultural respect and innovation, NACC has become a leader in community-centered healthcare, expanding our reach and services to meet the diverse needs of our patients.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking visionary leaders to join our senior team. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare transformation, guiding initiatives that integrate traditional healing practices with state-of-the-art medical care. NACC is recognized for developing holistic, integrative care models that address physical, mental, and spiritual well-being - a testament to our commitment to excellence and health equity.

A key pillar of our expansion is the creation of CEDAR, our new Indigenous Health Research and Evaluation Center. Built on a foundation of successful research partnerships with Indigenous health scholars across the country, the center will lead cutting-edge projects that inform and elevate best practices in Indigenous health. This initiative reflects our dedication to not only providing exceptional care but also shaping the future of Indigenous healthcare through evidence-based research and community collaboration.

With new facilities, expanded services, and a deep commitment to advocacy, NACC is poised for transformative growth. We are looking for innovative and passionate leaders ready to shape the future, advance health equity, and uplift the communities we serve. Join us at NACC - where leadership drives impact, and innovation is rooted in community.

About NACC and The CEDAR Center

Our current research agenda is predicated in Indigenous knowledges and cultural values and is ground in four critical pillars:

• Clinical areas of significance (i.e. behavioral health, infectious disease, cancer-related conditions, etc.)
• Political determinants of health (i.e., legacies of failed policy that contribute to poor outcomes, including houselessness, deep poverty, intergenerational disruptions in wealth building and education, etc.)
• Cultural drivers of health and wellbeing (i.e, the reconnection to our land and water, indigenous ancestral knowledge and wisdom, life-sustaining practices embedded in cultural life ways, etc.)
• Community knowledge mobilization (i.e., community identified research and evaluation training opportunities, communities of practice, best practices for ICBR, etc.)

CEDAR is committed to conducting research that respects and upholds the rights of Indigenous Peoples in research, positions our values and knowledge systems at the center of our research efforts, and produces innovative and meaningful solutions for the health challenges our communities confront through projects that are fully aligned with the intention to promote healing and wellbeing across generations and within families and community.

Position Overview

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

Personal Qualities

• Strong commitment to Indigenous community wellbeing
• Respectful curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Cultural humility and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong ethical principles and integrity
• Flexibility and adaptability in approach
• Innovation and creative problem-solving abilities

Compensation and Benefits

• $110,000 - $120,000 commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement plan
• Support for work-life balance

Location

This position is based at The CEDAR Center at Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our team experiences a flexible work environment that prioritizes relationality, community, and family. The Research Director will need to be present at least 50% on-site to effectively engage with the community and lead the research team.

How to Apply

Please upload your resume or CV and a cover letter. Cover letters should be no more than two pages and broadly explain how you come to Indigenous wellness research, previous research and leadership experiences, relation to this land, as well as your professional goals and vision for the growth of CEDAR.