Director of Research

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA is seeking a Director of Research with strong leadership skills and agricultural experience who will be responsible for administrating, facilitating and implementing research activities at Rodale Institute’s Main Campus in Kutztown, PA and other research initiatives in the state and region. Located on over 400 acres, the Rodale Institute is home to several long- and short-term research trials and sits in a highly productive and active farming community. This position will be instrumental in implementing Rodale’s strategic plan, building key partnerships across the region, and helping the Institute support the needs of the growing organic industry.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Research

• Plan and execute critical research projects related to the Rodale Institute mission and five-year growth plan.
• Support scientists, research technicians, interns, and other staff working on current and future organic/regenerative agriculture research including long-term systems trials, organic no-till farming, pasture-based livestock systems, crop nutrient testing, assessing soil health, soil carbon sequestration, climate smart agriculture, fertility and pest management.
• Support the development of scientists, research technicians, interns, and other research and Rodale Institute staff in other departments.
• Help set research agenda for the three research priority areas: 1) grow regenerative farmland, 2) mitigate and adapt to climate change, and 3) heal the land, heal ourselves.
• Develop and oversee a research program that falls within the three research priority areas and that advances regenerative organic agriculture.
• Write grants and support grant writing and reporting efforts to fund the overall research agenda.
• Foster collaborative relationships with the agricultural community including research, non-profit, for-profit, and higher education institutions.
• Foster collaborative relationships within the Rodale Institute staff across departments and campuses to ensure the quality of research projects and deliverables.
• Support Rodale Institute education, communications and marketing, development, and consulting efforts.
• Review scientific literature and publications to keep abreast of current research.

Staffing/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise project staff and teams to achieve research/project goals.
• Participate in the hiring and training of personnel.
• Prepare and present project updates and status reports to Rodale Institute’s Leadership Team, CEO, and Board of Directors.
• Work closely with the Farm Director and Farm Managers to achieve collective research goals.
• Ensure adequate resources and sufficient technical guidance to achieve project success.

• Foster a professional, creative, and enjoyable work environment.

• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with representatives from diverse organizations.
• Report directly to the Chief Scientific Officer.

Publications/Outreach

• Assist in interpreting/disseminating information about our research project work to varied audiences including scientists, consultants, farmers, extension, businesses, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and the public.
• Present scientific results from research trials at industry and professional conferences.
• Be accessible to other staff, visitors, funders, and industry stakeholders about current research and scientific discoveries at Rodale and other institutions.
• Present to the scientific community, governmental decision-makers, private environmental groups and farmers on regenerative organic agriculture and other research topics as requested.
• Oversee research activities and staff with the intention of publishing research findings in high impact, peer-reviewed publications.
• Review, write, and assist with manuscript preparation of research papers, invited book chapters, education and outreach material, and interpretive publications.

• Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications and Director of Education to make Rodale research accessible and comprehensible to farmers and the general public.

Grant Proposals/Reporting

• Research, develop and write grant proposals to support projects and to obtain funds for existing and future projects.
• Work with VP and Director of Development to write research proposals to maintain relationships with corporate, private, individual, family, and foundational donors to support the work and mission of Rodale Institute.

• Plan, monitor, and oversee specific project budgets.
• Manage the main campus, Founder’s Farm and Pocono Organic Center research budgets.

• Meet with the Grants Manager, CFO, COO, Chief Impact Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chief Executive Officer periodically to review status of programs and proposals.
• Prepare and/ or facilitate preparation of monthly/quarterly/annual grant reports as required by the funding agency.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in fields related with agriculture, ecology, food science, nutrition, and health and human sciences.
• 8+ years’ experience in research which includes management experience.
• High degree of familiarity with current global trends in agriculture, the environment, food, nutrition, and human health.
• Demonstrated openness and acceptance of people of diverse backgrounds and culture.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Demonstrated success in receiving grant proposals for related programs and projects.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with all audiences.

TRAVEL:
This position will require regional, national, and occasional international travel
OTHER RODALE INSTITUTE EXPECTATIONS:
To be trustful and respectful to all staff and visitors.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.

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