Decision Analytics Associate Consultant - Intern (North America - University Students)

ZS; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

ZS's Insights & Analytics group seeks a PhD candidate to develop and apply advanced statistical models for clients, shaping data-driven decisions across projects. You will design analyses in R, Tableau, SAS, Visual Basic, and Excel, and present findings to colleagues and clients.

Travel and cross-functional collaboration are part of the role, with mentorship responsibilities for Associates. The internship aligns with academic timelines and offers growth within a global consulting environment.

Qualifications

• PhD candidate in engineering, mathematics, or quantitative field; internship during the summer before final year.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply advanced statistical models that help clients understand dynamic business issues.
• Leverage analytic techniques to use data to guide client and ZS team decision-making.
• Design custom analyses in R, Tableau, SAS, Visual Basic and Excel to investigate and inform client needs.
• Synthesize and communicate results to clients and ZS teams through oral and written presentations.
• Develop client relationships and serve as key point of contact on aspects of projects.
• Provide client and ZS teams project status updates.
• Create project deliverables and implement solutions.
• Advance problem-solving skills and improve ZS’s capabilities;
• Guide and mentor Associates on teams.

Skills

Statistics

R

Tableau

SAS

Excel

Education

Doctorate candidate

Tools

Visual Basic

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. 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.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and apply advanced statistical models that help clients understand dynamic business issues.
• Leverage analytic techniques to use data to guide client and ZS team decision-making.
• Design custom analyses in R, Tableau, SAS, Visual Basic and Excel to investigate and inform client needs.
• Synthesize and communicate results to clients and ZS teams through oral and written presentations.
• Develop client relationships and serve as key point of contact on aspects of projects.
• Provide client and ZS teams project status updates.
• Create project deliverables and implement solutions.
• Advance problem-solving skills and improve ZS’s capabilities;
• Guide and mentor Associates on teams.

What You’ll Bring

• Candidates should be starting their second-to-last year of their doctorate degree (with the internship taking place the summer before their final year) in engineering (any branch), mathematics or other heavily quantitative discipline, and strong academic performance with analytic and quantitative coursework is required.
• High motivation, good work ethic, maturity and personal initiative.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Empathy, adaptability and emotional intelligence.
• Close attention to detail, with a quality-focused mindset.
• Self-discipline for planning and organizing tasks.
• Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, working in teams.
• Fluency in English
• Client-first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

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.

We encourage you to apply.

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.