Director of Science

Job Description

Job Description

What we're looking for: RSNA is a global professional society representing medical imaging professionals across the full breadth of radiologic subspecialties in more than 160 countries. The Society hosts the world’s largest annual radiology and medical imaging scientific conference and publishes six leading peer-reviewed journals.

Science at RSNA is entering an important period of growth and opportunity. With a newly approved strategic plan, RSNA is positioned to build on its long-standing strengths, modernize and expand its core science programs, and pursue new initiatives that respond to emerging needs across the biomedical research enterprise.

The Director of Science will provide strategic leadership for RSNA’s science portfolio by guiding implementation of the Science Strategic Plan, aligning departmental priorities with organizational goals, and elevating RSNA’s leadership in advancing, promoting, and disseminating radiologic and medical imaging science.

This job might be for you if you're interested in:

• Working at a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that is focused on its members.
• A welcoming and supportive environment that gives you an opportunity to impact patient care.
• Excellent work-life balance in a hybrid or remote workplace environment.
• A competitive compensation package that includes outstanding medical/dental benefits, incredible long-term savings benefits, generous time off (including a week-long Winter Break), paid parental leave and more.
• Training and professional development opportunities.

What you'll do:

1. Responsible for vision, development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of RSNA’s Science Strategic Plan, which is designed to advance radiologic and medical imaging science. Work with Science Council and volunteer groups, establish and maintain initiatives to support overall organization goals and strategic plan.
2. Identify emerging trends, topics, and issues in radiologic science and medical imaging and work with internal and external parties to establish appropriate RSNA role and opportunities.
3. Provide strategic direction for the Department of Science, establishing priorities, allocating resources, and guiding staff to achieve measurable outcomes across the science portfolio.
4. Develop new initiatives to advance the radiologic science and medical imaging research workforce, including a strategic education roadmap that addresses emerging training gaps in areas such as clinical trials, grant writing, and translational science, while strengthening existing workforce development efforts aligned with RSNA’s Science Strategic Plan.
5. Create programs that position RSNA as a convener of translational science, fostering cross-functional and external collaboration among researchers, clinicians, industry, academic institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders, while managing ongoing partnerships that accelerate innovation and clinical impact.
6. Design initiatives and lead strategies to promote the role of radiology and medical imaging in high-impact clinical trials.
7. Guide the dissemination and education of radiologic science by aligning scientific advances with RSNA educational programming, publications, communications, and other channels that expand access to timely, relevant, and globally visible science content.
8. Provide primary staff leadership and strategic support for the Science Council, Quality Improvement Committee, Research Development Committee, and other related groups.
9. Supervise the Assistant Director and Manager and build a high-performing team culture through clear goal setting, coaching, performance management, and development of staff capabilities needed to execute strategic priorities.
10. Partner across RSNA departments to identify shared opportunities, integrate science priorities into organizational initiatives, and ensure coordinated execution of strategies that advance research, innovation, and clinical relevance.
11. Oversee development of council/committee reports, strategic updates, budgets, and performance measures related to science and research initiatives, and uses data and stakeholder feedback to inform recommendations, priorities, and continuous improvement.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

What you'll need:

Required

• Ability to think strategically, translate organizational priorities into actionable plans, and lead complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders and functions.
• Strong understanding of research design, grantsmanship, scientific affairs, and the broader biomedical research ecosystem, including familiarity with NIH, ARPA-H, and other federal research funding agencies and other external funding and partnership environments (e.g. philanthropy; industry; etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-level reports, facilitate executive and volunteer discussions, and represent the department effectively with internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a scientific, medical, or related field.
• Experience advancing scientific initiatives in professional medical societies, academic medicine and/or higher education, research consortia, or healthcare-related organizations.
• Familiarity with imaging science or clinical research in a healthcare or academic setting.
• Experience supporting council, or committee governance structures and partnering with volunteer physician and scientist leaders.
• Demonstrated success developing external collaborations, sponsorships, or strategic partnerships that advance scientific objectives.
• Strong project and budget management skills, with the ability to monitor progress, assess impact, and adjust approaches in support of strategic goals.

The Radiological Society of North America is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. RSNA is committed to hiring and employing qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, sexual orientation, unfavorable military discharge, ancestry, order of protection status, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions at RSNA are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.