Chief Research Officer

Truth Initiative•Washington, DC

4d•$320,000 - $340,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Truth Initiative is seeking an experienced and visionary scientific leader to serve as its Chief Research Officer (CRO). This role is pivotal in guiding the organization's research strategy and evolving its scientific agenda, building upon its established leadership in tobacco and nicotine research while expanding into broader addiction science, behavioral health, and emerging public health challenges. The CRO will oversee a multidisciplinary research portfolio that integrates population science, behavioral health, addiction research, and policy research. This individual will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to shape the long-term scientific agenda, expand external funding, build research collaborations, and solidify Truth Initiative's position as a trusted scientific authority.

Requirements

Ph.D. in public health, behavioral science, psychology, epidemiology, psychiatry, or a related health science discipline.
20+ years of research leadership experience in academic, nonprofit, or public health settings.
Recognized expertise in addiction science, behavioral health, or substance use research.
Track record of leading interdisciplinary research programs examining addiction pathways, mental health comorbidities, or prevention and treatment interventions.
Demonstrated success securing and managing major research funding from federal agencies, foundations, or other sponsors.
Strong collaborations and professional relationships within addiction science, behavioral health, or substance use research communities.
Experience translating research findings into policy, practice, or public health interventions.
Passion for Truth Initiative’s mission and commitment to improving public health.
Deep scientific expertise in addiction science, behavioral health, substance use research, or related fields.
Strategic vision for addressing polysubstance use, addiction risk factors, and emerging addiction challenges.
Strategic vision for addressing polysubstance use, addiction risk factors, and emerging public health challenges that affect addiction prevention, cessation, and behavioral health outcomes.
Ability to integrate insights from behavioral science, epidemiology, psychology, and public health.
Strong executive leadership and collaboration skills.
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex science for diverse audiences.
Strong business acumen and experience managing complex research portfolios.
High integrity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to lead in a rapidly evolving field.

Responsibilities

Guide the expansion of the organization’s research agenda from tobacco and nicotine to a broader focus on addiction science, behavioral health, and polysubstance use and other factors that influence addiction and health outcomes.
Advance research on the health, behavioral, and cognitive impacts of substance use, including tobacco and nicotine products, cannabis, and other emerging public health concerns relevant to youth and young adults.
Integrate insights from neuroscience, behavioral science, epidemiology, and public health to better understand addiction risk, progression, and treatment.
Identify emerging addiction trends and research priorities that inform prevention strategies.
Guide cutting-edge research that advances evidence-based tobacco, nicotine, and public health policies related to addiction prevention and cessation at local, state and federal levels.
Lead and mentor a high-performing interdisciplinary research team with training and backgrounds in health communication, tobacco control policy, social and behavioral epidemiology, surveillance, and health economics.
Build and oversee interdisciplinary research programs examining polysubstance use, addiction pathways, behavioral health impacts, cessation and intervention strategies, and policy and regulatory impacts across tobacco and nicotine, cannabis, and other relevant public health concerns.
Evaluate Truth Initiative’s media campaigns.
Collaborate with senior leadership to support organizational evaluation and monitoring of progress toward long-term goals, including modeling of past and future public health outcomes.
Lead research examining the intersections of addiction and mental health, including co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and behavioral health challenges.
Develop research programs exploring how mental health, stress, trauma, and social determinants of health influence addiction vulnerability and treatment.
Develop research programs exploring how mental health, stress, trauma, and social determinants of health influence addiction vulnerability, prevention, cessation, and long-term health outcomes.
Advance understanding of the cognitive and emotional impacts of substance use, particularly among youth and young adults.
Foster collaboration with experts in psychology, psychiatry, behavioral medicine, and addiction science.
Expand the organization’s portfolio of externally funded research through grants and contracts.
Develop and sustain partnerships with academic institutions, clinical researchers, public health agencies, and policy organizations to expand externally funded research opportunities and build research capacity in addiction science.
Secure funding from federal agencies, foundations, and other sponsors to support innovative research programs.
Represent Truth Initiative at major scientific conferences and public health forums.
Contribute to national conversations on addiction science, behavioral health, and substance use policy.
Engage with the Board of Directors to keep this governing body informed on emerging scientific developments and the organization’s research impact.
Support science communication and media engagement to translate research findings for policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary research team, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and innovation.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Truth Initiative’s program teams.
Serve as the Research Institutional Compliance Officer, ensuring adherence to relevant research laws, regulations, and policies.