Applied R&D Data Scientist

Lonza Group Ltd.; Bend (OR); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. in Bend, Oregon, is seeking an Applied R&D Data Scientist to transform scientific data into AI-enabled solutions that accelerate life sciences innovation.

You will apply machine learning, data science, and cheminformatics to solve challenging R&D problems and inform scientific decisions across a global organization. This role builds predictive models for reaction prediction and process optimization, designs AI-enabled capabilities, creates reproducible data pipelines, and

Qualifications

• Degree in a quantitative or scientific field with data science/machine learning experience.
• Experience applying data science/ML methods to chemistry or related R&D problems.
• Strong Python and scientific computing library proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply ML, AI, and cheminformatics solutions across R&D challenges.
• Transform structured/unstructured data into actionable insights and predictive models.
• Build and validate models for reaction prediction, process optimization, and design.
• Create reproducible data pipelines and evaluation frameworks with scientific rigor.

Skills

Python programming

Data science

Machine learning

Cheminformatics

Scientific computing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a quantitative/scientific discipline

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

PyTorch

Job description

Applied R&D Data Scientist Join Lonza's Advanced Synthesis division and help transform scientific data into powerful AI-enabled solutions that accelerate innovation in life sciences. This is an exciting opportunity to apply machine learning, data science, and cheminformatics expertise to solve complex R&D challenges and influence how scientific decisions are made across a global organization.

What you will get:

• Performance-related bonus.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching plan.
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

Develop and apply machine learning, statistical, AI, and cheminformatics solutions to address high-priority R&D challenges across chemical synthesis, process development, analytical sciences, and bioconjugation. Transform structured and unstructured scientific data into actionable insights, predictive models, and decision-support tools that enhance scientific understanding and experimental efficiency. Build, validate, and optimize predictive and analytical models for applications such as reaction prediction, process optimization, impurity analysis, and experimental design. Design and evaluate innovative AI-enabled capabilities, including generative AI, semantic search, information extraction, and scientific knowledge systems. Create reproducible data pipelines, feature engineering workflows, and model evaluation frameworks while ensuring scientific rigor and appropriate treatment of uncertainty and model limitations. Collaborate closely with R&D scientists, chemists, process engineers, product managers, data engineers, and IT teams to deliver impactful technical solutions and support implementation. Drive projects independently from problem definition through to validated outcomes, contributing to the growth of Lonza’s data science and AI capabilities within Advanced Synthesis.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant quantitative or scientific discipline, with demonstrated experience applying data science or machine learning to chemistry, molecular, pharmaceutical, or related scientific R&D problems.
• Demonstrated experience applying data science, machine learning, AI, or scientific computing methods to solve complex real-world scientific or technical problems.
• Strong programming skills in Python and proficiency with scientific computing and machine learning libraries such as pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of chemistry and chemical data, including familiarity with chemical structures, reactions, properties, and experimental datasets.
• Experience developing, validating, and interpreting predictive models while effectively communicating results, assumptions, uncertainty, and limitations.
• Proven ability to work independently in ambiguous technical environments, identify practical solutions, and deliver high-quality outcomes with scientific rigor.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of. Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table.

At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board. Ready to shape the future of life sciences?