Senior Director Theranostics and Radiation Science

AstraZeneca GmbH; Wilmington (DE); Hybrid; USD 234,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH is seeking a Senior Director to lead Theranostics and Radiation Science within Early Oncology Research and Development. You will mentor the Radiation Science team, drive cross-functional collaboration, and own dosimetry and imaging regulatory submissions.

The role requires a strategic leader with deep expertise in medical physics, internal dosimetry, and experience with radiopharmaceutical development. Travel 5-10% is expected.

Qualifications

• The position requires a Ph.D. in medical physics or related field and a medical physics residency or equivalent training.
• Over 10 years of post-training clinical/industry experience in nuclear medicine or radiopharmaceuticals.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and health authority interactions is preferred.
• Expertise in personalized dosimetry for radiopharmaceuticals and familiarity with dosimetry tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead imaging and dosimetry strategy across the Radiation Science portfolio from early studies to late development.
• Provide line management, mentorship, and career development for Radiation Science team members.
• Own external imaging and dosimetry vendor relationships and performance management.
• Lead regulatory submissions content related to dosimetry and imaging for health authorities.
• Oversee imaging protocol QC, image acquisition, reconstruction, and dose management.
• Ensure imaging execution at clinical sites adheres to study protocols.
• Represent Radiation Science in governance bodies and cross-functional teams.
• Stay current with regulatory guidelines for radioactive materials and imaging topics.
• Travel as needed (5-10%).

Skills

Medical physics leadership

Dosimetry

Nuclear medicine

SPECT and PET imaging

Image reconstruction

Programming (MATLAB, Python, R)

DICOM, PACS

Regulatory science liaison

Leadership and mentorship

Project/program management

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, engineering or related physical science

Ph.D. in medical physics, physics or related discipline

Medical physics residency or postdoctoral training

Board certification in medical physics (preferred)

Tools

OLINDA

MIM

DICOM

PACS

Job description

Senior Director, Theranostics and Radiation Science

AstraZeneca, Early Oncology Research and Development

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Head of Theranostics and Radiation Science, the Senior Director, Theranostics and Radiation Science will serve as a senior medical physicist and play a key leadership role in the management, mentorship, and development of the Radiation Science team. This individual will lead and develop team members, fostering collaboration, scientific rigor, and professional growth within the team.

In addition to team leadership, the Senior Director will own key processes and lead cross-functional engagement across Imaging and Radioconjugate development, including but not limited to Clinical Operations, Preclinical Teams, Pharmacometrics, DMPK, and Regulatory Affairs. The role will also involve managing external vendors and contractors and holding them accountable for the successful execution of ongoing and upcoming clinical trials.

This position requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership, deep expertise in medical physics and internal dosimetry, and the ability to navigate complex programs while collaborating effectively across internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead imaging and dosimetry strategy across the Radiation Science portfolio, from Phase 0 biodistribution studies through late-phase development, and shape the team's dosimetry frameworks, standards, and best practices.
• Provide line management, mentorship, and career development for assigned Radiation Science team members, and help set team priorities and resourcing.
• Own external imaging and dosimetry vendor relationships, including vendor selection, scope and budget, performance management, and escalation.
• Serve as the Radiation Science lead in health authority interactions on dosimetry and imaging, and own the dosimetry and imaging content of regulatory submissions (e.g., IND/CTA sections, briefing documents, and responses to health authority questions).
• Oversee optimization and review of nuclear medicine imaging protocols, including quality control (QC) parameters, image acquisition and reconstruction, radiation dose determination, and protocol dose management.
• Oversee requirements and technical support for imaging execution at clinical sites, ensuring proper implementation and adherence to study protocols.
• Oversee quality control protocols and their execution with internal teams and external partners for imaging review and processing.
• Perform, review, and oversee image-based, patient-specific dosimetry calculations (internal dosimetry, not external beam radiation therapy [EBRT]).
• Represent Radiation Science with senior leadership, governance bodies, and cross-functional partners, ensuring alignment with best practices in QC, image acquisition, radiation dose management, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Lead regulatory compliance efforts related to radioactive materials, staying current with guidelines from regulatory and professional organizations (e.g., AAPM, SNMMI, NRC, and international regulatory bodies).
• Represent the organization externally through scientific societies, publications, and collaborations, and drive research and discovery projects that advance innovation in radiation science and molecular imaging.
• Travel as needed (5-10%).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, or another physical science, followed by a Ph.D. in medical physics, physics, or a related scientific discipline (required).
• Completion of a medical physics residency or equivalent postdoctoral training, followed by 10 or more years of post-training clinical and/or industry experience in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, or radiopharmaceutical development, including 3-5 years of direct or indirect industry experience in relevant fields (required).
• Board certification in medical physics (e.g., ABR, CCPM, or equivalent) preferred but not required.
• Extensive experience with personalized dosimetry for radiopharmaceuticals and proficiency in software such as OLINDA, MIM, and other imaging and dosimetry tools (required).
• Extensive experience with radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine, SPECT and PET imaging techniques, image reconstruction, and camera quality control procedures (required).
• Deep understanding of radiation biology and radiation physics, including alpha- and beta-emitting radioconjugates (required).
• Working knowledge of at least one programming language (e.g., MATLAB, R, Python) and of DICOM, PACS, and image processing techniques (required).
• Ability to interpret and apply imaging-related project requirements within clinical study protocols, and to translate dosimetry and biodistribution results into program and portfolio-level decisions.
• Demonstrated people leadership, including line management or formal mentorship of scientific staff, and a track record of leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions and health authority interactions on dosimetry or imaging topics (preferred).
• Strong analytical skills with advanced problem identification and problem-solving abilities, particularly in clinical and technical applications related to radiation science.
• Knowledge of radioactive materials regulations and guidelines from professional and regulatory organizations (e.g., AAPM, SNMMI, NRC, and international regulatory bodies).

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $233,586.40 - $350,379.60 USD. However, 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 toparticipatein our equity-based long-term incentive program. 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 coveragein accordance withthe terms and conditions of the applicable plans.Additionaldetails 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 salary (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.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work atpaceand challenge perceptions.That’swhy we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But thatdoesn'tmeanwe’renot flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Date Posted

10-Sep-2026

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.