Computational Modeling Associate Consultant - CMC

ZS • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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 2.5 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

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development.
• Robust skills‑building programs
• Multiple career progression paths
• Internal mobility
• Deeply collaborative culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level