Applied R&D Data Scientist

Lonza; Bend, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

Employee assistance programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza's Advanced Synthesis division is seeking a data science/ML expert to transform scientific data into AI-enabled solutions for life sciences. You will apply ML, cheminformatics, and AI to solve complex R&D challenges in a global organization.

You will develop predictive models, design AI capabilities, and deliver reproducible data pipelines while working closely with chemists, engineers, IT, and product teams to accelerate innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant quantitative or scientific discipline.
• Demonstrated experience applying data science, machine learning, AI, or scientific computing methods to chemistry or related R&D problems.
• Strong programming skills in Python and proficiency with pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of chemistry and chemical data, including structures, reactions, properties, and datasets.
• Experience developing, validating, and interpreting predictive models with clear communication of results and uncertainties.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply ML, AI, and cheminformatics solutions to high-priority R&D challenges across chemical synthesis and related fields.
• Transform data into actionable insights, predictive models, and decision-support tools.
• Build, validate, and optimize models for reaction prediction, process optimization, and impurity analysis.
• Design and evaluate AI-enabled capabilities including generative AI and semantic search.
• Create reproducible data pipelines and modeling workflows with scientific rigor.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, chemists, process engineers, product managers, data engineers, and IT teams.
• Drive projects from problem definition to validated outcomes to grow Lonza’s data science capabilities.

Skills

Python programming

Data science

Machine learning

Chemistry knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a quantitative/scientific field

Tools

pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

PyTorch

Job description

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:

A competitive compensation. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• 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:

B achelor’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.