What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Director position at Native American Community Clinic?
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%)
Community Engagement (30%)
Research Management (20%)
Administrative Leadership (10%)
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Personal Qualities
Compensation and Benefits
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.
Salary : $110,000 - $120,000
