Job Description

Location: Cambridge

Salary: competitive

Introduction to role:

Precision Diagnostics Development within AstraZeneca focuses on matching medicines to those patients who will benefit from them most and delivers companion or complementary diagnostic assays that align with the drug development process and enable personalised healthcare approaches within our clinical portfolio.

This role leads the scientific and technical integration of computational pathology and AI-enabled diagnostics into accredited laboratories, turning cutting-edge algorithms into validated tools that influence real clinical decisions.

You will partner across research, clinical, regulatory, and lab operations to design fit-for-purpose studies, set rigorous acceptance criteria, and deliver analytical validation that stands up to regulatory scrutiny. Your leadership will ensure compliance, reproducibility, and documentation excellence, while your scientific curiosity drives new proposals in computational pathology and multimodal diagnostics that accelerate our pipeline and impact patient outcomes.

We are seeking an Associate Director with a background in Computational Pathology and AI Diagnostics to support and develop the execution of AI-enabled and computational diagnostic strategies across our clinical programs and accredited labs, ensuring robust, compliant, and scalable deployment of digital and AI workflows to meet the needs of current and future AZ portfolio.

Accountabilities:

• Leading the deployment of AI-based computational pathology diagnostics within the AZ portfolio, partnering across the organisation to ensure computational pathology diagnostics are accurately validated.

• Define analytical validation plans for AI algorithms to meet regulatory requirements; for example, in accordance with CAP/CLIA, GCP, and applicable IVD/Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) within accredited labs.

• Leading the scientific and technical diligence of AI-enabled diagnostic solutions for the clinical portfolio.

• Delivering innovative scientific proposals across core diagnostic areas, spanning computational pathology and multimodal diagnostics.

• Maintain expert awareness of advances in computational pathology, including for example foundation models, multimodal AI, spatial biology, and evolving regulatory policy; evaluate and pilot new technologies with clear success criteria and build productive external collaborations and vendor relationships.

• Provide technical mentorship and matrix leadership with a focus on compliance, reproducibility, documentation excellence and patient impact.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Masters/PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., Computational Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics).

• Hands-on experience deploying AI/computational diagnostics in regulated environments (e.g., CAP/CLIA, in alignment with IVD/SaMD expectations)

• Proven experience in computational pathology and AI - proven track record of validation (analytical, clinical) and operationalization of AI diagnostic tools, including performance monitoring, bias/robustness assessment, and post-deployment lifecycle management.

• Ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects and to collaborate with laboratory operations, pathologists, data/AI teams, and external diagnostic partners.

• Clear communication and stakeholder influencing with balanced, objective decision-making.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with regulatory interactions for AI/ML-enabled diagnostics or software (e.g., FDA, EMA, MHRA) and familiarity with Good Machine Learning Practice and SaMD guidance.

• Experience in oncology precision medicine and companion diagnostic co-development

• Expertise with multiplex protein technologies (e.g., immunofluorescence, spatial omics, proteomics) and integration of computational readouts with histopathology.

• Strong data engineering/MLOps skills (e.g., containerization, CI/CD, model registry, audit trails) and familiarity with FAIR data principles, privacy/security by design.

• Board-certification in Anatomic Pathology (or equivalent) or substantial experience partnering with board-certified pathologists in clinical deployment.

• Track record of external collaborations with diagnostic companies, academic labs, CROs, and platform vendors

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 at pace and challenge

perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that

doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual

flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca

Here, mission-driven science meets real-world impact. You will work in an environment that fuses academic rigor with industry pace, where diverse minds collaborate to solve complex problems and move breakthroughs toward patients. Expect access to cutting-edge technology, a bold pipeline with multiple indications, and a global network of collaborations spanning dozens of countries and leading medical centers. We value kindness alongside ambition, empower leaders at every level, and back smart risk-taking with the support needed to turn promising ideas into validated solutions.

So, what’s next?

Complete your application before the below closing date.

We welcome your application no later than 23rd April 2026

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

Date Posted

02-Apr-2026

Closing Date

23-Apr-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.