Computational Modeling Consultant - CMC

Zs Associates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

ZS Associates is seeking a Computational Modeling Expert to apply advanced modeling, AI/ML, and first-principles approaches to pharmaceutical CMC challenges. You will translate complex scientific questions into scalable computational solutions and work with scientists, engineers, and senior leaders to drive decisions.

You will lead modeling workstreams, integrate models with ELN/LIMS/ERP/PLM, and contribute to reusable assets while traveling to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in pharmaceutical CMC, process development, or related field.
• Experience building first-principles or mechanistic models for pharmaceutical processes.
• Experience applying AI/ML to scientific or process-development problems.
• Strong programming skills and production-quality code lifecycle experience.
• Understanding of CMC concepts and regulatory milestones.

Responsibilities

• Partner with pharmaceutical CMC clients to identify high-value opportunities for modeling and AI/ML.
• Develop first-principles and mechanistic models (CFD, DEM, computational chemistry) for process challenges.
• Build AI/ML models to complement first-principles approaches and improve understanding.
• Translate scientific questions into modeling strategies and implementation plans.
• Assess data availability and determine appropriate modeling methods and techniques.
• Develop robust, reusable, production-ready modeling solutions with testing and deployment.
• Integrate models with ELN, LIMS, ERP, and PLM systems.
• Interpret results and present clear recommendations to scientists and senior leaders.
• Lead technical workstreams across process development, data science, engineering, and manufacturing.
• Contribute to ZS capabilities and reusable modeling assets.

Skills

First-principles modeling

AI/ML modeling

CFD

DEM

Computational chemistry

Programming

Data-driven modeling

Stakeholder comms

Leadership

Education

Bachelors/Masters/PhD in STEM

Tools

ELN

LIMS

ERP

PLM

Job description

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you'll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

Insights & Analytics

ZS's Insights & Analytics group partners with clients to design and deliver solutions to help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging advanced data analytics and problem-solving techniques. Our recommendations and solutions are based on rigorous research and analysis underpinned by deep expertise and thought leadership.

ZS is seeking a Computational Modeling Expert to help pharmaceutical clients apply advanced modeling, simulation, and AI/ML to complex CMC and process development challenges. In this role, you will combine deep scientific and engineering expertise with first-principles and data-driven modeling to improve process understanding, accelerate development, support scale-up and technology transfer, and enable more informed decision-making. You will work closely with scientists, engineers, data teams, and senior CMC stakeholders to translate complex technical questions into scalable computational solutions that can be integrated into real-world scientific and manufacturing workflows.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with pharmaceutical CMC clients to identify high-value opportunities for computational modeling, advanced analytics, and AI/ML across process development, scale-up, manufacturing, and technology transfer.
• Develop and apply first-principles and mechanistic models, including CFD, DEM, computational chemistry, and other physics-based approaches, to solve complex CMC and process development challenges.
• Build and apply AI/ML models that complement first-principles approaches and improve process understanding, prediction, optimization, and decision-making.
• Translate scientific and business questions into modeling strategies, analytical approaches, and implementation plans.
• Assess available experimental, process, and manufacturing data and determine the appropriate data, modeling methods, and computational techniques required to address client needs.
• Develop robust, reusable, and production-ready modeling solutions, including code development, testing, deployment, documentation, versioning, and ongoing model lifecycle management.
• Integrate computational models with relevant CMC data sources and systems, including ELN, LIMS, ERP, and PLM platforms.
• Interpret modeling results and translate complex technical findings into clear recommendations for scientists, engineers, and senior CMC leaders.
• Support model validation, adoption, and integration into scientific and operational workflows.
• Apply modeling expertise across modalities and manufacturing processes, adapting approaches to new scientific and technical challenges as needed.
• Lead technical workstreams and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across process development, data science, engineering, manufacturing, and technology.
• Contribute to the development of ZS capabilities, methodologies, and reusable assets in computational modeling and digital CMC.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computational Science, or a related quantitative or scientific discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, preferably within pharmaceutical CMC, process development, manufacturing, or a closely related environment.
• Hands-on experience developing first-principles or mechanistic models, such as CFD, DEM, computational chemistry, process models, or other physics-based modeling approaches, for pharmaceutical process development or manufacturing.
• Experience developing and applying AI/ML models to scientific, engineering, or process development problems.
• Strong programming skills and experience developing production-quality modeling code and managing models across their lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical CMC concepts, including unit operations, process development, Quality by Design, technology transfer, process validation, critical quality attributes, and development and regulatory milestones.
• Experience working with scientific and manufacturing data and familiarity with systems such as ELN, LIMS, ERP, or PLM.
• Ability to combine first-principles modeling, data-driven modeling, and domain expertise to solve complex scientific and engineering problems.
• Ability to translate modeling approaches and technical results into clear business and scientific recommendations.
• Experience communicating with senior scientific, technical, and business stakeholders.
• Ability to lead multiple technical workstreams and effectively manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Ability to apply expertise developed in one modality or process area to new modalities and scientific contexts.
• Fluency in English
• Client-first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering, scientific, or computational discipline.
• Experience with hybrid modeling approaches that combine mechanistic models with AI/ML.
• Experience deploying computational models into production or decision-support environments.
• Familiarity with CMC regulatory submission requirements and expectations for model validation, traceability, and documentation.
• Experience across multiple pharmaceutical modalities, such as small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapies, or other advanced therapies.
• Consulting or client-facing experience in pharmaceutical R&D, CMC, or manufacturing.

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 well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building 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 United States, visit ZS US 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.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client-facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.