Scientific Data & Technology Strategy Associate Consultant - Discovery

Zs Associates; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Travel opportunities

Job summary

ZS Associates seeks a Scientific Data & Technology Strategy Associate Consultant within Discovery to apply technical data and research expertise to biotech and biopharma clients. You will design scalable solutions that enhance drug discovery workflows and collaborate with scientists, business stakeholders, and IT teams.

You will lead data modeling, cloud-based data platforms, and cross-system integrations while guiding implementation and roadmap planning across biopharma research domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field; advanced degree a plus.
• 2.5+ years in research tech, data platforms, biotech, or pharma environments.
• Experience bridging scientific and IT stakeholders and translating workflows.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and data modeling; RESTful APIs knowledge.
• Proven ability to design data models, integration patterns, and architecture docs.

Responsibilities

• Partner with scientists and IT to translate workflows into technical designs.
• Lead implementation workstreams from design through deployment.
• Define data models, metadata standards, and system architecture components.
• Apply hands-on experience with pharma datasets and cloud platforms.
• Support SDLC, roadmap development, and solution recommendations.
• Collaborate across interdisciplinary teams to integrate research tech and analytics.
• Translate needs into structured technical requirements and roadmaps.
• Develop ETL/ELT pipelines and cross-system integrations.
• Contribute to data management initiatives and FAIR principles.
• Prepare client readouts with evidence-based findings and recommendations.
• Mentor junior team members and share knowledge across teams.

Skills

Fluency in English

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

Enterprise data modeling

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

APIs & ETL/ELT

Client-facing mindset

Team mentorship

Growth mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree strongly preferred

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in science/tech

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

Research LIMS

ELN platforms

Certara

Schrödinger

GeneData

Watson

Job description

Overview

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.

As a Scientific Data & Technology Strategy Associate Consultant in Discovery, you will apply your technical, data, and research technology expertise to help leading biotech and biopharma clients design and implement scalable solutions that improve and streamline drug discovery workflows.

ZS’s Discovery Venture partners with clients to develop and deploy in silico approaches that accelerate the discovery of safer, more effective therapeutics. We work closely with other ZS practices, bringing hands‑on scientific expertise to enhance both technology and strategy initiatives. As a Venture within ZS, we continuously develop, test, and refine new approaches to maximize impact for our clients and the patients they serve. This unique position enables us to combine agility and innovation with the resources and knowledge of ZS’s 13,000+ global team. ZS is expanding the Discovery Venture and seeking driven, curious, and creative experts to help shape the practice area, collaborate across ZS’s R&D teams, and deliver excellent outcomes for clients.

What you’ll do

• Partner with scientists, business stakeholders, and IT teams to translate scientific workflows and research needs into technical designs and practical solutions.
• Define conceptual and logical data models, metadata standards, integration patterns, and system architecture components to support research data management and analytics.
• Lead defined implementation workstreams from design through deployment, ensuring solutions are aligned with business needs, scientific workflows, and enterprise technology standards.
• Apply hands‑on experience with pharma datasets, cloud platforms, and cross‑system integrations to improve research technology ecosystems.
• Support research IT strategy, SDLC, and roadmap development by contributing technical recommendations, solution options, and implementation planning.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including scientists, data engineers, architects, business partners, and project managers, to integrate research technology and analytics into broader project objectives.
• Translate scientific and business needs into structured technical requirements, solution designs, and roadmap inputs.
• Support the design and implementation of ETL/ELT pipelines, cloud‑native data platforms, APIs, and cross‑system integrations.
• Contribute to research data management initiatives, including data modeling, metadata strategy, FAIR data principles, and information architecture across biopharmaceutical research domains.
• Support client readouts with evidence‑based presentations, clearly communicating technical findings, solution recommendations, and next steps.
• Mentor junior team members, share knowledge across teams, and contribute to a collaborative, high‑quality delivery environment.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred, ideally in Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Health Informatics, or a life science‑related field; Advanced degree, including MS or PhD, in a scientific discipline with data and/or technology exposure is a plus.
• At least 2.5 years of relevant professional experience in research technology, data platforms, pharma technology, consulting, biotech, pharma, or related environments.
• Hands‑on experience with pharma datasets, cloud platforms, and cross‑system integrations.
• Prior ownership of solution design components, including data models, integration patterns, technical requirements, or architecture documentation.
• Experience bridging scientific and IT stakeholders and translating scientific workflows into technical solutions.
• Experience with conceptual and logical data modeling, system architecture, metadata standards, and information architecture.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Understanding of RESTful APIs, ETL/ELT pipelines, and cross‑system integration design.
• Experience with lakehouse and cloud‑native data platforms such as Databricks and Snowflake.
• Understanding of research data management and FAIR principles.
• Knowledge of how to interpret and enforce enterprise architecture and engineering standards.
• Knowledge of research information management and analytics applications such as research LIMS systems, ELN platforms, Certara, Schrödinger, GeneData, Watson, or similar platforms is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in scientific data modeling or information architecture engineering across a range of biopharmaceutical research domains.
• Evidence of strong commitment to quality and client satisfaction.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with scientific, business, and IT audiences.
• Passion, curiosity, and a growth mindset, coupled with a deep commitment to an open and collaborative working environment.
• 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.

If you’re eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, 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.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

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.

To complete your application

An on‑line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.

Find Out More At

www.zs.com