Director, Clinical Imaging – Respiratory & Immunology; R&I

About the role:

Join Early Clinical Development in R&I to lead the strategy and execution of clinical imaging across our translational, early-, and late-stage portfolio. You will set the vision for how imaging accelerates decision-making from first-in-human through registrational studies, ensuring high-quality, quantitative endpoints and modern analytics are embedded into development plans. Imaging is a strategic capability for AstraZeneca, and this role is pivotal in crafting how we deploy it to deliver transformative medicines for patients with respiratory and immunology diseases.

LOCATION:
Waltham, MA or Gaithersburg, MD

What you’ll do:

• Strategy and leadership: Define and lead the cross-program imaging strategy for assigned assets; translate disease biology into actionable imaging endpoints and decision points in the Clinical Development Plan (CDP). Serve as the imaging voice on Global Project Teams and Clinical Program Teams, influencing asset strategy and investment.

• Endpoint design and validation: Lead selection, technical validation, and qualification of imaging endpoints (standard and exploratory), including modality/sequence selection, acquisition/reconstruction parameters, site readiness, and harmonization plans. Drive enabling/method-development studies where needed.

• Trial implementation and quality: Lead all aspects of imaging protocol build, imaging charters, manuals, and risk-based quality management. Ensure central reads, QC, calibration/phantoms, and site training deliver reproducible, regulator-ready data across multicenter/global trials.

• Data, analytics, and insights: Partner with data science/biometrics to develop data flows (from DICOM to analysis-ready formats), ensure metadata completeness, and apply sophisticated analytics (e.g., radiomics, ML/AI, deep learning, quantitative segmentation) to extract robust signals from large, multimodal datasets. Champion pre-specification and validation of algorithms and ensure auditability and traceability.

• Vendor and partnership management: Select and lead imaging CROs, core labs, and image analysis vendors; supervise technical performance and data quality. Build external teamworks with academia and consortia to access novel techniques and reference datasets.

• Regulatory and compliance: Anticipate and address regulatory expectations for imaging endpoints; contribute to interactions, submissions, and responses, including documentation of imaging methods, validation packages, and sensitivity analyses. Guide biomarker qualification efforts as needed.

• Scientific leadership and communication: Present imaging strategies and readouts to governance and senior partners. Publish and present externally where appropriate. Elevate imaging literacy across R&I and mentor colleagues.

Essential requirements:

• At least 5+ years of experience with a Doctoral degree in an imaging-related field (PhD and/or MD) or equivalent sophisticated training; strong grounding in clinical imaging modalities, preferably CT and MRI, with strong understanding of acquisition and analysis.

• Consistent track record leading imaging endpoints in Phase I–IV trials, including develop, operationalization, and delivery in multicenter settings.

• Practical experience in quantitative image analysis and image informatics, including familiarity with DICOM standards, curation, harmonization, and quality control.

• Shown ability to analyze and interpret large, multimodal datasets (e.g., imaging + clinical + biomarkers/omics); experience working with statisticians and data scientists to build pre-specified analysis plans and validate algorithms.

• Strong cross-functional leadership and influence skills; success working in fast-paced, matrixed environments and driving decisions at asset and program governance.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to translate sophisticated imaging and analytics concepts to diverse partners.

Desirable:

• Industry experience in pharma/biotech or imaging CRO/core lab

• Deep expertise in deploying imaging endpoints in respiratory, immunology, or adjacent TA areas; knowledge in at least one of: COPD, interstitial lung diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, or…