Computational Modeling Consultant - CMC

Computational Modeling Expert

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.

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.

• 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 work streams 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.

• 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 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…