Senior Director, Digital & Computational Pathology

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

2d

About The Position

The Senior Director, Digital and Computational Pathology (DPCP) will define and lead AstraZeneca’s end-to-end strategy for DPCP image analytics, bridging R&D innovation with Commercial execution. The role focuses on building scientifically credible, compliant, and scalable solutions while developing clear go-to-market (GTM) models that translate imaging science into differentiated products, services, and partnerships. You will steward a cross-functional team integrating pathology, AI/ML, software engineering, and product management, partnering closely with Discovery, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Diagnostics, IT, and Commercial Franchises to deliver decision-changing insights and market-ready offerings.

Requirements

• Education: PhD, MD, or equivalent experience in Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years in digital pathology, computational imaging, or applied AI/ML in biopharma/healthcare; 5+ years leading multidisciplinary teams and product portfolios at senior level.
• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of histopathology workflows, multiplex imaging (IHC/IF, mIHC, IMC, spatial transcriptomics), WSI formats, and image analysis methods.
• GTM and Productization: Proven track record building and commercializing digital health or diagnostics solutions, including pricing, packaging, channel strategy, and launch execution.
• Technical Skills: Experience with deep learning, classical image analysis, spatial statistics, model validation, MLOps, and deployment at scale.
• Regulatory and Quality: Experience with biomarker validation, analytical/clinical validation frameworks, GxP/IVD pathways, and regulatory interactions for image-based endpoints or diagnostic solutions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to influence R&D and Commercial stakeholders, synthesize complex science into clear customer value, and drive alignment toward measurable outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Board Certification: Board-certified pathologist or significant experience collaborating in pathology departments.
• Commercial Diagnostics: Experience with companion diagnostics, LDT/IVD commercialization, health system adoption, and payer engagement.
• Tools and Ecosystem: Hands-on familiarity with scanners, LIS/LIMS, digital viewers, annotation tools, and AI toolchains
• Operational Excellence: Experience implementing SOPs, QMS elements, CAP/CLIA interactions, and performance KPIs for imaging laboratories.
• HEOR and Real-World Evidence: Background in outcomes research and economic value demonstration for digital diagnostics.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Vision: Set a multi-year vision that connects scientific roadmaps with commercial opportunity, defining DPCP pathways, value propositions, and portfolio alignment across therapy areas.
• GTM Leadership: Design and execute GTM strategies for DPCP solutions, including segmentation, and commercialization models
• R&D Partnership: Translate discovery and translational advances (e.g., image-based biomarkers, spatial analytics) into validated offerings; align on clinical utility, evidence generation, and regulatory strategy with therapy area teams.
• Commercial Franchise Collaboration: Co-create customer narratives, market requirements, and adoption programs with Franchises; build field enablement materials, and define success metrics (penetration, utilization, outcomes impact).
• Product Management: Own product life cycle for digital pathology capabilities—concept, MVP, validation, launch, and scale—ensuring user-centric design, compliance, and measurable value.
• Platform Ownership: Lead enterprise-grade platform validation (WSI ingestion, storage/rendering, annotation, algorithm deployment, audit trails), ensuring security, interoperability, and performance at scale.
• AI/ML Development: Oversee validation of algorithms (classification, segmentation, cell phenotyping, spatial fusion) with robust MLOps, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Evidence and Outcomes: Define evidence plans that demonstrate analytical validity, workflow efficiency, and economic value; partner on HEOR and real-world performance studies.
• Regulatory and Quality: Follow regulatory pathways (GxP/IVD considerations), quality systems, and readiness for image-based biomarkers and diagnostics; engage with regulators and standards bodies as needed.
• Partnerships and Ecosystem: Structure strategic collaborations with scanner vendors, CROs, diagnostics partners, health systems, and technology providers; negotiate commercial terms and co-development agreements.
• Operations and Scale: Build scalable, compliant workflows from sample receipt through imaging, QC, analysis, reporting, and knowledge capture; optimize throughput, turnaround time, and cost.
• Commercial Enablement: Develop training, sales tools, messaging, and playbooks; support customer pilots, proof-of-value programs, and post-launch adoption/expansion.
• Communication and Change Management: Evangelize capabilities across AZ and with external stakeholders; communicate impact to senior leadership with clear metrics and narratives.

Benefits

• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree