Director of Research & Innovation

About the role

The Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) is the research hub of The Island School, based in South Eleuthera, The Bahamas, and is known for its environmental research and education programs. The Director of Research & Innovation is a senior scientific and management role for a leader who can expand the Institute's global impact and funding portfolio, shape its long-term research and innovation strategy and strengthen domestic and international collaborations. The position is full-time, and the School is also open to a one-year or temporary appointment for candidates with exceptional experience.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for CEI's research programs, innovation initiatives, facilities and staff, working with senior leadership and the Board-level Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Define and advance priority research areas, including marine conservation, food security, sustainable infrastructure and nature-based tourism.
• Cultivate partnerships with universities, research institutions, NGOs and multilateral organizations, and lead efforts to secure competitive scientific grants and philanthropic research funding.
• Maintain an active portfolio of externally funded research projects and lead publication efforts across peer-reviewed journals, technical reports and science communication.
• Represent CEI at international conferences and research convenings, and support visiting scientists and graduate students.
• Recruit, mentor and manage research and program staff, and support their professional development in grant writing, project management and scholarly publishing.
• Integrate research into student programs, including the Semester Student Research curriculum, and lead the biannual Research Symposium.

Required profile

• PhD preferred in a relevant scientific discipline, or equivalent in another field.
• Prior teaching experience, preferably across different age groups.
• Experience managing research teams, laboratories and overlapping projects, and mentoring researchers.
• Confident public speaker able to adapt communication to different educational audiences.
• Able to thrive in a small, remote community in The Bahamas and committed to the school's mission.

Required skills

• Proficiency in grant writing and a proven track record of securing funding.
• Study design, data analysis, manuscript preparation and a strong publication history.