Associate Director, AI Image Analysis

Associate Director, AI Image Analysis  – Pathology, CPSS

Are you passionate about advanced pathology imaging and digital image analysis? Can you apply these skills to help us in drug discovery? Do you have expertise in applying computer vision and AI image analysis techniques to digital pathology data and have an appetite for applying these skills to advance the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients? We have an opening at our Pathology department at AstraZeneca!

As an Associate Director, AI Image Analysis, you will apply groundbreaking technologies and advanced image processing and analysis to help derive biological insights from digital pathology imaging data to support drug development projects. You will work alongside our team of image analysis scientists, imaging scientist, pathologists, biologists and data scientists within Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences (CPSS). 

CPSS is changing the way imaging technologies are combined to offer outstanding insight and impact. Our global Imaging teams combine data from histology, digital pathology, multiplex immunofluorescent assays and advanced molecular imaging techniques (including mass spectrometry imaging) to understand the spatial biology of disease and drug discovery.

This position offers the opportunity to be involved in the investigation of both the safety and efficacy of drugs within our projects in both a preclinical and clinical setting. We believe this is a truly exciting opportunity.

The Role

You will support drug discovery project delivering AI image analysis solutions and endpoints. You will develop AI image analysis tools using commercial software platforms and tailored innovative computer vision models supporting our digital pathology-based imaging (H&E, IHC, multiplex immunofluorescence) across multiple therapeutic areas. You will be fully connected with our global Pathology & Discovery imaging teams offering access to our full suite of technologies.

You will take a lead in delivering established and innovative AI image analysis. Providing expertise in image processing, segmentation and quantitative analysis using both established image analysis software as well as other computer vision-based machine learning and deep learning approaches to derive solutions to a range of problems in biomedical images. Working in a highly multidisciplinary environment with scientists across AstraZeneca.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drive the delivery of image analysis to support our digital pathology strategy and deliver impact to drug discovery projects across the AZ portfolio.
• Oversee the design and delivery of novel computer vision solutions to extract meaningful insights from digital pathology data, enabling informed decision making in safety assessments, drug efficacy and biomarker identification.  These solutions include the application of specialized approaches in classification, detection, segmentation, regression, clustering,  image analysis, data integration, data visualisation and statistical analysis.
• Find opportunities to optimize workflow, reduce costs and enhance project efficiencies using advanced computational tools. Collaborates across the Astrazeneca Data and AI community to develop best practices and cross functional opportunities that drive value.
• Develop effective relationships and collaborate with cross functional teams e.g. Pathologists, Image Analysis scientists and other Bioscientists, to develop analysis strategies & plans, manage image analysis studies, analyse images and derive results for drug safety and efficacy assessment.
• Responsible for ensuring project deliverables are clearly defined and delivered on time, within scope and budget while maintaining high quality standards. In addition, the role should be able to manage stakeholder expectation for associated risks and limitation of outputs results.
• Communicate project results, conclusions and recommendations effectively to colleagues, teams, stakeholders and collaborators through written reports and oral presentations at internal and external meetings.
• Contributes to the publication of scientific abstracts, posters, presentations, manuscripts and/or patent applications.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• MSc/PhD (or equivalent numbers of years of experience) in mathematics, computer science or a related quantitative field.

Essential Requirements:

• Significant experience in the application of AI and data analysis in the digital pathology field and/or relevant scientific application domains
• In depth expertise in computational approaches, data science, software development tools applicable to pharmaceutical R&D, proficiency in AI, machine learning and deep learning, data modelling, predictive analytics, automation, and visualization tools.
• Familiarity with python libraries used for image analysis tasks e.g. pytorch, tensorflow, opencv, sklearn, pillow, pandas.
• Good knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC, SCP, job scheduling with slurm)
• Knowledge of cloud computing platforms (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
• In-depth experience of manipulating and analyzing large high dimensionality unstructured imaging datasets, drawing conclusions, defining recommended actions, and reporting results across partners
• Understanding of algorithm design, development, optimization, scaling and applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication, business analysis, and consultancy skills
• Good understanding of how pathology impacts drug development and specifically where the digital pathology and AI is applied in this field Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to handle several concurrent, fast-paced projects.

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 high-reaching world.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being ambitious – finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering groundbreaking methods, and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

So, what’s next?

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Check out our landing page for more information on our BPD group https://careers.astrazeneca.com/bpd

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The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $63,616.80 to $95,425.20, either as annual base pay or as the hourly rate (annual base pay divided by 2080 hours). 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

18-Oct-2024

Closing Date

17-Nov-2024Our 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.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.