Building Materials Research Director

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety • Richburg, RI

19h

About The Position

Join IBHS as a Building Materials Research Director and lead the strategic direction of our laboratory operations while advancing applied research on severe convective storms. This is a unique dual-focus role that combines hands-on laboratory leadership (70%) with active scientific research and innovation (30%). You'll manage complex operations that balance competing demands—staff capacity, equipment availability, research priorities, and compliance requirements—while driving breakthroughs in how buildings withstand hail, straight-line wind, and tornado hazards. This role is ideal for a scientist-leader who thrives at the intersection of operational excellence and scientific discovery, and who can translate atmospheric hazards into defensible building performance standards.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in engineering, materials science, atmospheric science, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in applied research, laboratory management, or building science
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and quality assurance protocols
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and mentor junior scientists or engineers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present to diverse audiences
• Experience managing laboratory equipment, maintenance schedules, and capital planning
• Knowledge of building codes, standards development, or compliance testing (a significant plus)

Nice To Haves

• Background in severe weather hazards, wind engineering, or structural dynamics
• Experience with statistical methods, uncertainty quantification, or data science
• Published peer-reviewed research or technical reports
• Familiarity with insurance industry, risk assessment, or loss prevention
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or data management platforms
• Project management or operational leadership experience in research environments

Responsibilities

• Lab Throughput & Capacity Management
• Quality Systems & Repeatability
• Equipment & Infrastructure Stewardship
• Staff Development & Talent Architecture
• Lead components of experimental and analytics-based research programs advancing applied science on severe convective storms—including hail, straight-line wind, and tornado-related hazards—and their interaction with residential and commercial construction systems.
• Scientific & Technical Expectations
• Scientific Ownership
• Innovation & Systems Thinking
• Science Communication

Benefits

• Make a tangible impact: Your research directly influences building standards and saves lives and property
• Lead at the intersection of science and operations: Rare opportunity to combine research leadership with hands-on laboratory management
• Work with cutting-edge facilities: Access to world-class testing equipment and collaborative research environment
• Collaborate across disciplines: Partner with engineers, meteorologists, data scientists, and policy experts
• Grow your career: Mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to publish and present at conferences

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director