Senior Scientist, Imaging (12 Month Contract)
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Senior Scientist, Imaging
Duration: 12 months
Location: Hamilton, ON
Onsite 5 days/ week
Description:
Fusion Pharmaceuticals, part of the AstraZeneca Group, is redefining precision oncology with next‑generation radio conjugates that deliver powerful alpha‑emitting payloads directly to tumors. Our pipeline spans multiple first‑in‑class programs, backed by a GMP‑compliant, brand new radiopharmaceutical facility in Hamilton, we’re turning groundbreaking science into real‑world impact for patients. Join us at the forefront of radio pharma innovation and be part of turning breakthrough science into meaningful outcomes for patients, come build what’s next with us!
The Role:
As Sr. Scientist, Imaging, this role is for an experienced preclinical imaging scientist to join the In Vivo Pharmacology team within AstraZeneca’s Radioconjugate Discovery Group. The successful candidate will provide strategic and technical expertise in the conception, design, execution and interpretation of preclinical imaging studies. A critical component will be the integration of nuclear imaging methodologies with pharmacology and ex vivo readouts to provide decision-enabling insights across Discovery activities including candidate screening and selection, mechanism of action, dosimetry, and biomarker discovery.
What you’ll do
Design, conduct, and analyze imaging-based biodistribution and mechanistic studies of radiopharmaceuticals in rodent models of cancer (or other disease indications of interest) to enable decision-making data packages for go/no-go decisions. Perform reconstruction and quantification of multimodal imaging data
Drive the development and implementation of imaging-based methods to explore dosimetry and PK/PD relationships as they relate to mechanism of action across our therapeutic pipeline. Integrate results with ex vivo tissue biodistribution and efficacy studies
Build strong partnerships with cross-functional experts, align collaborators and clearly communicate plans and results to teams and governance
Develop and expand internal preclinical imaging capabilities and spearhead the incorporation of nuclear imaging modalities into AstraZeneca’s Radioconjugate Discovery experimental workflow.
Align nuclear medicine imaging protocols, including review of parameters for QC, image acquisition and reconstruction, radiation dose determination, and protocol dose management
Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and operation of innovative PET/SPECT/CT/MRI/Optical imaging equipment
Mentor and train junior scientists on image acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis
Produce high quality and well documented data with strong attention to detail
Contribute to internal project teams through the setting and achievement of scientific goals, communication of results, and solving multifaceted scientific challenges
Other duties as required
Essential for the role
MSc or Ph. D (Biochemistry, Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Engineering, Medical physics, Molecular/Cell Biology or related field)
3–6+ years of hands-on preclinical in vivo imaging in mouse models, demonstrating expertise in PET/SPECT and at least one of MRI or CT
Experience with in vivo mouse solid tumor models including IV injections, tumor implantation and tissue collections
Proficiency with analysis tools (PMOD, VivoQuant, 3D Slicer, Amide) and scripting (Python/MATLAB/R) for automation and reproducibility
Expertise with the operation of nuclear imaging equipment including software image reconstruction, analysis, and quantification of nuclear imaging data
Ability to adapt to, perform, and develop unfamiliar methods in a rapidly evolving research environment
Dedicated to finding practical solutions and works well with others in a multi-disciplinary setting, with the ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels
Experience with the safe handling of radioactive and biohazardous materials
Desirable for the role
Theranostic strategy experience and preclinical dosimetry modeling
Proficiency in quantitative image analysis and statistics and integration with ex vivo and PK/PD datasets
Experience evaluating radioconjugates in solid tumors (antibody-, peptide-, or small-molecule–based), including isotope/chelator selection and labeling parameters impacting in vivo behavior.
Biotech or pharmaceutical experience is an asset
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AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com .
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Annual base salary for this position ranges from 108,713.60 to 142,686.60. AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs. In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.
In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role). Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.
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Job details
How this role compares
Computed from every other active Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research role in our database, not just this employer's listings.
We currently track 390 comparable Senior Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research roles across 55 biopharma companies.
Salary context
177 of 390 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)
Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.
Where these roles are based
Top locations among the 390 comparable roles
+ 15 more countries
Seniority mix
390 of 390 peers have a known seniority level
Therapeutic area mix
37 of 390 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden
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Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.
0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.