Clinical AI Research Lead — Shape AI-Driven Trials

AstraZeneca GmbH; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 203,000 - 305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-office collaboration (3 days/week)

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH is building a world-class AI capability for Clinical Development within the Enterprise AI Unit. We seek a Head of Clinical AI Research to set the research agenda and lead a team of AI/ML researchers pushing the frontier of AI in clinical development.

You will translate cutting-edge research into practical, regulated methods and drive adoption across Phases I–III, aiming to design smarter trials and improve patient outcomes while interacting with regulators and external partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in machine learning, computer science, biomedical informatics, or a closely related computational discipline.
• 8+ years of AI/ML research experience, including applied work in healthcare or life sciences.
• Strong record of original, methodologically rigorous AI/ML research with publications.
• Demonstrated research leadership and accountability across multiple workstreams.
• Deep expertise in modern AI/ML methods for clinical development (multimodal models, LLMs, predictive modeling).
• Excellent communication and ability to translate findings for clinical, regulatory and executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead the research agenda for clinical AI methods across Phases I–III.
• Lead a team of AI/ML researchers on high-value clinical development problems.
• Establish methodological standards and reusable research artifacts.
• Translate research into regulated-environment methods with cross-functional partners.
• Represent AstraZeneca's clinical AI science externally through publications and regulatory discussions.
• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing research team; foster scientific rigor and collaboration.

Skills

AI/ML research leadership

Multimodal foundation models

LLMs / foundation models

Evaluation of AI/ML systems

Clinical development knowledge

Excellent written and verbal comms

Regulatory engagement

Education

PhD in machine learning / computer science / biomedical informatics

Job description

AstraZeneca GmbH is building a world-class AI capability for Clinical Development within the Enterprise AI Unit. We seek a Head of Clinical AI Research to set the research agenda and lead a team of AI/ML researchers pushing the frontier of AI in clinical development.

You will translate cutting-edge research into practical, regulated methods and drive adoption across Phases I–III, aiming to design smarter trials and improve patient outcomes while interacting with regulators and external partners.