Consultant Research & Development in Pharma & Life Sciences

PwC International; Brussel; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work

Continued learning opportunities

Career development

Job summary

PwC Belgium is seeking an Associate in the R&D & Quality advisory team to contribute to high-impact projects spanning pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech sectors. You will assist in designing and delivering solutions at the intersection of science, strategy, market intelligence and operations.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, supporting client delivery and internal capability building, while developing expertise in life sciences R&D, quality, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a scientific field; language requirement Dutch or French and English proficiency; 0–3 years consulting or life sciences experience.

Responsibilities

• Support project teams across R&D and Quality topics.
• Conduct desk research, market studies, and ecosystem mapping.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to generate actionable insights.
• Translate complex information into clear, client-ready outputs.
• Develop client materials with strong storytelling and synthesis.
• Engage with clients in meetings and workshops.
• Assist in project planning, tracking, and coordination.
• Contribute to internal knowledge building and templates.

Skills

Scientific literacy

Analytical skills

Structured synthesis

Critical thinking

Communication & deliverables

Education

Master's degree in life sciences

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Line of Service Advisory Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Advisory - Other Management Level Associate Job Description & Summary Contribute to creating a better tomorrow The only way we can tackle the challenges of this fast‑changing world is with passionate people. Led by our purpose of building trust and solving important problems, we come together at PwC to address the biggest issues facing the world in a way that drives positive impact. Are you eager to join a team fuelled by open and curious minds? People who are passionate about their work and create new solutions for a new day? Then you’re at the right place. Bring your talent. Learn new skills. Make a positive impact. PwC Advisory is a garden of possibilities, and you’re reaping the rewards. Where you want to make an impact is always up to you. With the full support of our Advisory teams, you’ll delve into the inner workings of companies to find the best solutions for any challenge they might have. From the excitement of deals to the complexities of consulting and the fascinating realm of risks and threats in forensics, you’ll help clients nurture trust and maintain their evolutionary edge, today and into the future. Now that’s making a difference.

Your impact As a consultant in our R&D & Quality advisory team, you’ll make an impact by contributing to high‑impact projects across pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech clients, from global industry leaders to fast‑growing startups and scaleups within the innovation ecosystem. You will support the design and delivery of solutions at the intersection of science, strategy, market intelligence, and operations, including: R&D operating models and governance (e.g. portfolio management, decision‑making frameworks) Clinical development transformation and performance improvement Quality and compliance (e.g. GxP processes, quality systems, inspection readiness) Market and ecosystem insights (e.g. competitor landscaping, innovation scouting, partnerships) Digital and data enablement in R&D and Quality.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to both client delivery and internal capability building.

Your responsibilities

• Project delivery
  • Support project teams in delivering advisory engagements across R&D and Quality topics
  • Conduct desk research, market studies, competitor landscaping, and ecosystem mapping
  • Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to generate actionable insights
  • Translate complex scientific and business information into clear, structured outputs
  • Develop client‑ready deliverables (presentations, reports, analyses) with strong storyline and synthesis
  • Apply critical thinking to assess evidence, challenge assumptions, and identify decision‑relevant insights
• Stakeholder engagement
  • Participate in client meetings, workshops, and expert interviews
  • Support preparation of executive‑level materials (e.g. steering decks, decision packs)
  • Tailor communication to different audiences (e.g. senior leadership, technical experts, external stakeholders such as founders or ecosystem partners)
• Operational support
  • Contribute to project planning, tracking, and coordination
  • Ensure high‑quality outputs, attention to detail, and timely delivery across multiple workstreams
  • Maintain strong follow‑up discipline and ownership of assigned tasks
• Continuous development
  • Build expertise in life sciences R&D, Quality, and the broader innovation ecosystem
  • Stay up to date with scientific, clinical, and industry developments
  • Contribute to internal knowledge building (methods, templates, thought leadership)

About you

Education: Master’s degree in a scientific field (e.g. biology, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, pharmacy, or related life sciences discipline) Language: Dutch or French, and English professional proficiency Experience: 0–3 years of experience in consulting, life sciences, or a related environment. Exposure to R&D, clinical, innovation, or quality topics is a strong asset.

Mindset

• Strong ability to grasp new scientific and business topics quickly
• Comfortable working across science, strategy, and operational execution
• Curious, proactive, and eager to learn in a fast‑paced consulting environment
• Project discipline: Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow‑up
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines in a structured manner
• Collaborative team player with a professional and reliable mindset

Your skills Scientific & analytical capabilities

• Scientific literacy
  • You have the ability to understand and synthesise scientific, clinical, and technical content, even in unfamiliar domains
• Analytical skills
  • You display strong capabilities in research, market analysis, competitor landscaping, and insight generation
• Structured synthesis
  • You are able to distil large volumes of information into clear messages, key insights, and structured outputs
• Critical thinking
  • You go beyond summarising—challenging assumptions, identifying gaps, assessing evidence strength, and extracting what matters for decision‑making
• Communication & deliverables
  • You have clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences (clients, leadership, ecosystem actors, investors)
  • Slide and report writing: you display strong PowerPoint and Excel skills; with the ability to transform raw analysis into concise, high‑quality, client‑ready materials

What we offer

• Exposure to leading life sciences organisations and innovation ecosystems
• A steep learning curve at the intersection of science, strategy, and transformation
• A structured development path within a growing Advisory team
• A collaborative and inclusive culture where you can make an impact from day one

Life at PwC Belgium

• Flexible work patterns: Achieve the perfect balance between office and home life with our flexible hybrid work arrangements and family‑friendly schemes.
• Lifelong learning: Grow with us! Take advantage of our diverse training opportunities and exciting career pathways to explore new disciplines and expertise.
• Flexible rewards: Tailor your benefits to suit your lifestyle with our customizable rewards plan.
• Sustainable mobility: Choose eco‑friendly mobility options, from our soon‑to‑be fully electrified fleet to public transport, shared cars, ebikes, and more.
• Inclusive culture: Thrive in a diverse, inclusive workplace that values and celebrates every individual's contributions.
• Wellbeing focus: Enjoy a positive environment with our comprehensive wellbeing programs, engaging sports communities, and confidential support for all your professional and personal challenges.
• Global network: Expand your horizons with opportunities to work abroad and tap into extensive industry expertise within the PwC network.

Let’s build something great together.

Equal Opportunity Employer statement

At PwC, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic environment. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all candidates and employees, regardless of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace drives innovation and strengthens our ability to serve our people, clients and communities. Join us in fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to achieve their full potential. Additionally, we provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws.

Travel Requirements Not Specified

Government Clearance Required? No

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship? No