Senior Analyst - R&D, Life Sciences

McKinsey & Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company invites candidates to join our Life Sciences R&D team focusing on Clinical Development in the United States. You will gather and analyze information, formulate hypotheses, and develop clear recommendations while collaborating in small consultant teams and presenting results to client management.

You will leverage industry knowledge to craft analyses, build novel tools, and deliver McKinsey-end products such as memos, figures and presentations.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field required (e.g., Biology, Chemistry).
• 1+ years of experience and strong interest in pharmaceutical R&D topics from a sponsor, CRO, or site perspective such as clinical science, clinical operations, clinical trial execution, pharmacovigilance, regulatory, medical writing, or other development topics.
• Solid understanding of economic, financial and general business concepts and terminology.
• Experience with crafting clear, effective, and relevant prompts for Generative AI models is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent problem–solving, analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proficiency with data visualization, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and basic business tools.
• Ability to accomplish work in a fast–paced, dynamic and cross–cultural environment.
• Team player with strong people skills; ability to coach, motivate and inspire others.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to specific client and internal needs.
• Demonstrated communication, leadership, and project management skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively—both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Gathering and analyzing information, formulating and testing hypotheses, and developing and communicating recommendations.
• Work in teams of typically 2–5 consultants, playing an active role in all aspects of the client engagement. You’ll also present results to client management and implement recommendations in collaboration with client team members.
• Develop industry analyses, keep up to date with industry developments, apply cutting–edge industry knowledge to client problem–solving and serve clients directly on your topics of expertise.
• Develop novel tools, solutions and analytical products to improve the impact of our client work and become a true thought partner for our consultants and clients.
• Synthesize findings by preparing McKinsey–formatted end–products to include written memos, numerical analysis and/or presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Prompt design (AI)

Education

Undergraduate or Master’s degree in Life Sciences

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Overview

In this role, you will work with McKinsey colleagues and clients on Life Sciences R&D topics, with a specific focus on Clinical Development.

Locations: Boston, New Jersey, New York City.

YOUR IMPACT

You will be gathering and analyzing information, formulating and testing hypotheses, and developing and communicating recommendations.

You’ll work in teams of typically 2–5 consultants, playing an active role in all aspects of the client engagement. You’ll also present results to client management and implement recommendations in collaboration with client team members.

You will leverage your relevant knowledge and experience in the industry by acting as a thought‑partner to client teams. You will develop industry analyses, keep up to date with industry developments, apply cutting‑edge industry knowledge to client problem‑solving and serve clients directly on your topics of expertise.

Additionally, you will develop novel tools, solutions and analytical products to improve the impact of our client work and become a true thought partner for our consultants and clients. You will have access to cutting‑edge data sources, both internal and external, and will leverage proprietary McKinsey analytical modules to uncover new insights and opportunities to drive impact. You will synthesize findings by preparing McKinsey‑formatted end‑products to include written memos, numerical analysis and/or presentations.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high‑performance/high‑reward culture—doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues at all levels will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you’ll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Undergraduate or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field required (e.g., Biology, Chemistry).
• 1+ years of experience and strong interest in pharmaceutical R&D topics from a sponsor, CRO, or site perspective such as clinical science, clinical operations, clinical trial execution, pharmacovigilance, regulatory, medical writing, or other development topics.
• Solid understanding of economic, financial and general business concepts and terminology.
• Experience with crafting clear, effective, and relevant prompts for Generative AI models is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proficiency with data visualization, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and basic business tools.
• Ability to accomplish work in a fast‑paced, dynamic and cross‑cultural environment.
• Team player with strong people skills; ability to coach, motivate and inspire others.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to specific client and internal needs.
• Demonstrated communication, leadership, and project management skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively—both verbally and in writing.

Additional Requirements

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

Industries

• Life Sciences

Capabilities

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $125,000 - $130,000 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest salary for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start. However, actual salaries may vary based on office location, unique blend of experience and skills, start date, and organizational needs. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey’s discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.