Director Innovation and Commercialization - Radiology

Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110Scheduled Hours
40

Position Summary
Seeking a scientifically sophisticated leader who understands both academic research and the commercial landscape for imaging and radiopharmaceutical technologies. Ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with industry experience evaluating biomedical innovations within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, imaging, or venture.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with industry experience evaluating biomedical innovations within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, imaging, or venture environments. This individual will be comfortable engaging faculty investigators, assessing complex scientific opportunities, and shaping early-stage discoveries into compelling commercial strategies.

Must be able to build credibility with scientists and clinicians while engaging effectively with industry partners and investors. Bring experience evaluating technologies, structuring partnerships, and guiding innovations toward licensing, collaboration, or startup formation.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead a proactive commercialization effort within the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology focused on identifying, developing, and advancing innovation emerging from radiology research and clinical infrastructure.
• Build and manage a structured pipeline that converts departmental intellectual and operational assets into commercial opportunities including products, services, licensing agreements, and startup companies.
• Identify promising innovations across MIR's research and clinical programs, conducting early commercial assessments, and developing strategies that position opportunities for licensing, industry collaboration, or venture creation.
• Engage closely with faculty investigators to identify commercially relevant discoveries and capabilities, while working with institutional innovation resources such as the Office of Technology Management and the Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Commercialization to advance opportunities through appropriate commercialization pathways.
• Maintain a dotted-line relationship with the Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Commercialization (VCIC) and will work closely with the VCIC and related institutional offices to ensure alignment with university commercialization strategy and industry partnership processes. In particular, the Director will collaborate with the VCIC to ensure that external industry engagement and partnership development are coordinated through Washington University's central innovation and commercialization infrastructure.
• Structure is designed to strengthen institutional coordination of industry partnerships while expanding the pipeline of innovation opportunities emerging from MIR.
• Focus on expanding strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, imaging and medical technology firms, radiopharmaceutical developers, and venture investors. These partnerships may support sponsored research collaborations, licensing agreements, industry service engagements, or startup formation.
• Priority areas for opportunity development may include radiotracers and molecular imaging agents, imaging-enabled diagnostics, AI and imaging software tools, clinical trial imaging services, and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
• Director will help establish a sustainable pipeline of commercial opportunities that translate MIR innovation into clinical and commercial impact.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:
Master's degree - Radiochemistry

Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:
Imaging Research (5 Years), Analytical Chemistry For Radiopharmaceuticals (10 Years), Nuclear Medicine (10 Years)

Skills:
Not Applicable

Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

The Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) is a global leader in imaging science, molecular imaging, and radiopharmaceutical development. Department produces a significant volume of discoveries, technologies, and clinical capabilities with the potential to transform patient care.

Many of these innovations have substantial commercial potential but require focused development, industry engagement, and strategic commercialization to reach real-world impact.

Washington University is establishing a Director of Radiology Innovation & Commercialization to build and lead a structured effort to identify, develop, and translate these opportunities.

Working closely with faculty, institutional innovation offices, and industry partners, the Director will help convert MIR discoveries and capabilities into commercial products, strategic partnerships, licensing opportunities, and startup companies.

Will help accelerate the translation of radiology innovation while creating sustainable new revenue streams and long-term industry partnerships for MIR and Washington University Medicine.

Director must build trust with faculty investigators while translating academic discoveries into commercial opportunities.

Success requires the ability to:

• Translate complex science into compelling commercial narratives
• Build credibility with clinicians and researchers
• Facilitate productive innovation discussions with investigators
• Guide faculty through commercialization pathways
• Connect innovators with industry and venture partners

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
PhD or terminal degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:
Biomedical Sciences, Budget Development, Business Development, Corporate Venture Capital, Critical Thinking, Detail-Oriented, Drug Development, Leadership, Licensing Agreements, Portfolio Management, Product Commercialization, Regulatory Approvals, Research Commercialization, Research Funding, Start-Ups, Technology Transfer, Time Management

Grade
G18

Salary Range
$129,800.00 - $228,400.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [redacted] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at [redacted] and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/