Executive Director, Radiology & Theranostics

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 332,000 - 498,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a strategic senior leader to drive an integrated Radiology & Theranostics organization spanning translational radiology, imaging science and oncology development from preclinical to late clinical stages.

You will define imaging strategy, develop biomarkers, oversee study design and regulatory alignment, and build a unified global operating model with governance and investment roadmap.

Qualifications

• MD, PhD or equivalent advanced degree in radiology, nuclear medicine, medical physics, biomedical imaging, oncology or a related discipline.
• Extensive leadership experience in pharmaceutical development, translational medicine or imaging sciences (minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience).
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical imaging endpoints, imaging‑based biomarkers, radiomics or theranostics, including application to patient selection, target validation, pharmacodynamics and treatment endpoints.
• Strong understanding of oncology drug development across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, therapy modalities and global regulatory expectations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary, geographically distributed scientific teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise strategy for Radiology & Theranostics across the oncology portfolio, from preclinical development through late-stage clinical trials.
• Establish a unified operating model, governance and investment roadmap for global imaging capabilities.
• Lead imaging strategy for clinical development and pivotal trials, including patient selection, target validation, pharmacodynamic assessment, response assessment, endpoint selection and regulatory alignment.
• Advance imaging-based biomarkers and radiomics for patient selection, pharmacodynamics, treatment endpoints and biomarker discovery.
• Lead Theranostics and Radioconjugate imaging strategy from preclinical development through Phase III, including dosimetry and study design.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic influence

Imaging biomarkers

Cross-functional leadership

Education

MD, PhD or equivalent advanced degree

Job description

Lead an integrated global Radiology & Theranostics organization spanning translational radiology, computational radiology, medical imaging, medical physics, nuclear medicine and translational science. This role will set and execute imaging strategy from preclinical through late clinical development, predominantly in oncology across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies and across therapy modalities, with additional support for trials beyond oncology. Key deliverables include development of imaging-based biomarkers for patient selection, target validation, pharmacodynamic assessment and treatment endpoints.

Why this role

Radiology is critical to diagnosing, staging and monitoring disease, but remains underused as a biomarker in drug development. Integrating radiology with pathology, proteomics, liquid biopsy and clinical data can accelerate endpoint development, patient-selection technologies, target validation and biomarker discovery.

The longer-term opportunity is to use radiology and laboratory data to inform the right target, modality, dose, regimen, and endpoint - ultimately improving patient outcomes. Competitors are already developing radiology-led multimodal biomarker platforms, making an enterprise-wide imaging strategy essential to strengthen delivery, science and innovation across the pipeline.

Location

Gaithersburg MD or Kendall Square MA

Key Accountabilities

• Define and execute the enterprise strategy for Radiology & Theranostics across the oncology portfolio, from preclinical development through late-stage clinical trials.
• Establish a unified operating model, governance and investment roadmap for global imaging capabilities.
• Lead imaging strategy for clinical development and pivotal trials, including patient selection, target validation, pharmacodynamic assessment, response assessment, endpoint selection and regulatory alignment.
• Advance imaging-based biomarkers and radiomics for patient selection, pharmacodynamics, treatment endpoints and biomarker discovery.
• Earlier, consistent integration of imaging into preclinical, clinical development and indication plans.
• Lead Theranostics and Radioconjugate imaging strategy from preclinical development through Phase III, including dosimetry and study design.
• Integrate PET, nuclear medicine, medical physics and translational science capabilities, including external academic collaborations.
• Ensure imaging strategies are incorporated early into asset and indication plans across solid tumor, hematologic malignancy and selected non-oncology trials.
• Represent the function in senior governance, business‑development evaluations and interactions with regulators and external experts.
• Recruit, develop and retain a high‑performing, multidisciplinary global organization.

The Role Is Expected To Provide Strategic Oversight Across

• Translational Radiology: clinical development imaging strategy, radiographic endpoints and imaging‑based biomarkers from preclinical through late clinical development
• Computational Radiology: radiomics, imaging AI and multimodal biomarkers
• Medical Imaging, Medical Physics & Translational Science: Theranostics, Radioconjugate and dosimetry
• Regional and external capabilities: including China and EU collaborations

Measures of success

• One aligned Radiology & Theranostics strategy and governance model.
• Earlier, consistent integration of imaging into development plans.
• Increased use of validated imaging endpoints and biomarkers.
• Scalable radiomics data and AI infrastructure.
• Strong Theranostics and Radioconjugate development capabilities.
• Reduced duplication and improved collaboration across organizational boundaries.

Experience Required

• MD, PhD or equivalent advanced degree in radiology, nuclear medicine, medical physics, biomedical imaging, oncology or a related discipline.
• Extensive leadership experience in pharmaceutical development, translational medicine or imaging sciences (minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience).
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical imaging endpoints, imaging‑based biomarkers, radiomics or theranostics, including application to patient selection, target validation, pharmacodynamics and treatment endpoints.
• Strong understanding of oncology drug development across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, therapy modalities and global regulatory expectations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary, geographically distributed scientific teams.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate emerging science into portfolio‑level strategy.
• Collaborative, enterprise‑minded leader comfortable operating across scientific, clinical, technical and business interfaces.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We're on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

Salary and Benefits

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $331,873.60 - $497,810.40. Hourly and salaried non‑exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short‑term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity‑based long‑term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at‑will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted

01-Sep-2026

Closing Date

24-Sep-2026

Equality and Inclusion

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.