Translational Science Lead

ZS • Boston, MA

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

ZS Discovery partners with pharmaceutical and biotech clients to accelerate the discovery of safer, more effective therapeutics, combining scientific expertise, advanced analytics, AI, and strategic consulting. The Translational Science Lead will own an account and contribute deep expertise to growing the team's translational science work, including biomarker selection, patient segmentation, translational hypothesis validation, and multimodal data integration and exploratory analytics. The role will help develop ZS Discovery's translational science and patient-centered prediction capabilities, using the broader firm's strengths in AI, bioinformatics, and data excellence.

The Lead will help transform point solutions into a repeatable practice supported by reusable frameworks, accelerators, and methodologies. They will engage senior pharmaceutical and biotech R&D leaders to demonstrate market demand, originate engagements, and build a pipeline of opportunities. The position will also develop the global translational science team and strengthen ZS Discovery's external credibility through thought leadership, conference participation, and published perspectives.

The role uses a hybrid working model, combining work from home with on-site presence at client or ZS offices for the majority of the week. Client-facing employees should be prepared to travel as needed. The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship; applicants must have U.S. work authorization that does not require current or future employer sponsorship. An online application including a full set of official or unofficial transcripts is required.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline, such as translational science, biomarker research, computational biology, or statistical genetics.
• At least 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, a life sciences platform company, or a translational science function, focused on patient-centered prediction, biomarkers, or translational medicine.
• Experience spanning the discovery-development boundary and understanding the research lifecycle from target identification through clinical entry.
• Deep familiarity with research lifecycle data, including trial biospecimens; on-study PD, ctDNA, and MRD reads; real-world evidence; population cohorts; and multimodal omics such as bulk and single-cell data, spatial transcriptomics, methylation, and imaging.
• Ability to act as a credible thought partner to senior R&D leaders on patient-centered prediction, engaging across scientific and business dimensions.
• Experience defining and shaping a new offering, practice area, or capability.
• Strong analytical and computational orientation, with familiarity with precision medicine tools, model-informed drug development, and AI applications in translational sciences.
• Fluency in English.
• Client-first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a consulting firm, life sciences platform company, pharma services organization, or pharmaceutical or biotechnology R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Refine and extend translational science and patient-centered prediction offerings, including capabilities in forward translation, reverse translation, and patient stratification.
• Engage senior R&D leaders at pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations to demonstrate market demand, originate engagements, and build a pipeline of translational science opportunities.
• Develop reusable frameworks, accelerators, and methodologies to turn point solutions into a repeatable practice.
• Develop and expand the global translational science team.
• Build external credibility in translational sciences and patient-centered prediction through thought leadership, conference presence, and published perspectives.
• Leverage and innovate existing strengths in AI, bioinformatics, and data excellence.
• Serve as a domain-credible thought partner to senior R&D stakeholders and translate complex translational science challenges into actionable solutions.
• Own an account and contribute expertise to the team's translational science work.

Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package supporting health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development.
• Skills-building programs.
• Multiple career progression paths.
• Internal mobility opportunities.
• Cross-functional skills development and custom learning pathways.
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities.
• A collaborative culture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree