Deputy Research Director

Overview

Position: Deputy Research Director

Organization: Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN)

Reports to: Research Director

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $95,000 – $115,000 (Commensurate with PhD/Advanced Research experience)

Location: Hybrid Remote (This position works from home a majority of the time. Candidates in the Portland metro area strongly preferred.)

Position Summary: The Deputy Research Director (DRD) will serve as the primary architect for OCN’s specialized nursing workforce studies. This role is designed for an experienced, senior researcher with interest in department leadership. This role is designed to take over the management of complex, population-specific research initiatives while contributing to the organization’s broader strategic data roadmap. The DRD must be capable of navigating challenging stakeholder environments and translating dense data into compelling narratives that influence healthcare policy and public perception in Oregon.

• 1. Research Execution & Oversight
  • Direct and manage large-scale research projects, including survey design, data collection, and longitudinal analysis of Oregon’s nursing workforce.
  • Ensure all research activities meet rigorous institutional review board (IRB)-level standards and grant-specific compliance mandates.
  • Own day-to-day management of designated research projects, timelines, vendors, and deliverables so the Research Director (RD) can focus on strategy, funder relationships, and external positioning.
  • Establish and maintain clear research workflows, documentation standards, and decision logs to reduce rework and institutional friction.
  • Provide coaching and technical guidance to research staff, fellows, or contractors as needed.

• 2. Strategic "Thought Leadership"
  • Support the RD in monitoring the impact of federal and state healthcare policies on nursing supply and demand, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
  • Lead the exploration of AI and emerging technologies in nursing and workforce development, producing white papers or briefs that position OCN as the state’s nursing workforce authority.
  • Transform raw data into insights for the Marketing Consultant to share with the public and legislators.
  • Lead authorship on major reports, issue briefs, conference presentations, and policy-facing products, with responsibility for clarity, tone, and defensibility.
  • Translate uncertainty, limitations, and tradeoffs honestly for nurses, policymakers and funders.

• 3. Organizational Transition & Mentorship
  • Act as the primary backup for the Research Director in Board meetings and legislative testimony.
  • Collaborate with programs and OCN leadership to ensure research findings are effectively integrated into OCN’s programming.
  • Participate in a long-term succession planning process, preparing to take on increased leadership.
  • Support grant development, budgeting, and reporting for assigned research projects.

• Education: PhD in Nursing, Life or Social Science, Public Health, or Health Administration preferred
• Experience: 5+ years in a research leadership role, ideally within healthcare or workforce development.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Interpersonal
  
  Skills:
  
  Proven ability to work with wide ranging and diverse audiences.

• Grit and Adaptability: Comfort with the ambiguity of a shifting legislative landscape and a desire to "fix the systems" rather than just report on them.
• Intellectual Honesty: Willingness to surface uncomfortable findings and say “we don’t know” when the data isn’t there.

• Is a senior, trusted, public-facing research leader who can stand on their own and will grow into full departmental ownership.
• Operates with sound independent judgement, prioritizing decisions and moving work forward without needing close supervision or consensus at every step.
• Earns trust quickly across diverse audiences, including nurses, policymakers, funders, and internal staff.