AI Manager - Life Sciences R&D

ZS; Pune District, Gurugram District, Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career development programs

Global collaboration opportunities

Job summary

ZS is seeking a Data Science Manager in R&D to lead a team delivering data-driven ML solutions for life sciences. You will guide model development, education of teams, and turn goals into scalable data products in India.

You will collaborate across clients and internal teams, drive RFP responses and POVs, and ensure high-quality delivery while staying current with advances in data science and life sciences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• 10–14 years of data science experience with at least 2 years in a managerial role.
• Experience in life sciences R&D and driving business development.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement AI/ML solutions for life sciences R&D needs.
• Lead development of data science strategies aligned with team goals.
• Oversee RFP responses, proposals, and POVs for clients.
• Build client relationships and act as trusted AI advisor.
• Ensure timely and high-quality project delivery.
• Develop predictive models and ML algorithms to support research.
• Communicate findings through reports and presentations.

Skills

Data science leadership

ML model development

Statistics & analytics

Data engineering

Communication skills

Project management

Client relationship

Python

R / SAS / MATLAB

SQL

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Data Science / CS / Bioinformatics

Tools

Python

R

SQL

TensorFlow

SAS / SPSS / MATLAB

Job description

Data Science Manager R&D

As the Data Science Manager for the Life Science Research & Development team, you'll lead your team to create data-driven solutions using ML algorithms. You'll educate teams on machine learning models and help turn goals into data solutions. You will be responsible for applying analytical techniques to model complex business problems, uncovering insights, and identifying opportunities using statistical, algorithmic, mining, and visualization techniques. In addition to advanced analytics skills, the candidate should also be skilled in integrating and preparing large, varied datasets, implementing specialized database and computing environments, and communicating results. This role requires a combination of business focus, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and programming knowledge to efficiently cycle hypotheses through the discovery phase of the project.

What Youll Do

• Design and implement AI/ML solutions tailored to life sciences R&D needs, including drug discovery, clinical trials, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement data science strategies that align with the overall goals of the R&D team and the organization.
• Lead the development of RFP responses, proposals, and POVs for potential and existing clients
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor on AI/ML capabilities
• Oversee project execution, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery
• Design and implement predictive models and machine learning algorithms to support research objectives
• Demonstrate proficiency with various approaches in regression, classification, and cluster analysis
• Play a key role in development of data science capabilities and offerings that create scale and advance our analytic platform;
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science and life sciences, and apply this knowledge to drive innovation.
• Communicate findings and insights to stakeholders through reports, presentations, and publications.
• Provide thought leadership and innovation through research and publication.

What You’ll Bring -

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
• 10-14 years of experience in data science, with at least 2 years in a managerial role within the life sciences industry.
• Demonstrated experience in the life sciences industry, particularly in R&D.
• Proven track record of driving business development, including responding to RFPs and building POVs.
• Must have experience in statistical programming in R, SAS, SPSS, MATLAB, Python or TensorFlow
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL. Experience with machine learning frameworks and tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

How you’ll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and wellbeing, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skillsbuilding programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in India, visit ZS India office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections