About Cognizant Consulting
Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant’s consulting practice—we’re a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capability, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we’re looking for our next colleague who’ll join us in shaping the future of business. Could it be you?
About the role
As a Consulting Principal, Life Sciences – R&D, you will make an impact by leading strategic transformation engagements across the end-to-end research and development value chain—from preclinical drug discovery and translational research through clinical development—for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and contract research organization clients. You will help clients modernize discovery operating models, accelerate scientific decision-making, and advance promising assets from target identification through candidate selection, IND-enabling studies, and clinical development. You will be a valued member of Cognizant’s Life Sciences Consulting team and will work collaboratively with senior scientific and business stakeholders, account leadership, and cross-functional consulting and technology teams to deliver measurable business outcomes.
In this role, you will
Preclinical Drug Discovery & Translational R&D Advisory
· Lead consulting engagements spanning target identification and validation, assay strategy, screening, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, candidate selection, and IND-enabling development.
· Advise clients on discovery portfolio strategy, translational research, biomarker planning, and evidence-based stage-gate and go/no-go decisions.
· Design future-ready operating models that connect biology, medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, toxicology, bioinformatics, and early development teams.
· Identify opportunities to apply AI, computational modeling, advanced analytics, automation, and integrated research data platforms to improve experiment design, compound prioritization, and scientific decision-making.
· Support preclinical development strategies, including study planning, external research partner oversight, data integration, regulatory readiness, and the transition of assets into first-in-human development.
Clinical Trial Transformation Advisory
· Lead consulting engagements focused on clinical trial strategy, operational excellence, and digital enablement across Phase I–IV development.
· Advise clients on improving clinical trial productivity, patient recruitment, site performance, and monitoring effectiveness.
· Design and implement future-ready operating models incorporating decentralized trials, risk-based monitoring, and intelligent clinical operations.
· Identify and assess opportunities to leverage AI, advanced analytics, and digital platforms to accelerate clinical development.
Engagement Leadership & Delivery
· Manage end-to-end consulting engagements, including problem structuring, solution design, delivery governance, and value realization.
· Lead multidisciplinary teams of consultants, domain specialists, and technology experts.
· Ensure delivery excellence through structured methodologies, robust program management, and proactive risk mitigation.
· Present insights, analyses, and recommendations to senior client stakeholders and executive leadership.
Business Development & Account Expansion
· Identify and develop consulting opportunities across pharmaceutical sponsors, biotechnology companies, and contract research organizations, spanning discovery research, preclinical development, translational science, and clinical operations.
· Lead proposal development, solution positioning, and client presentations for strategic consulting pursuits.
· Partner with account teams to expand the consulting footprint across discovery operating models, research data strategy, laboratory and informatics ecosystems, preclinical development, clinical operations, and digital R&D platforms.
· Contribute to practice revenue growth and achievement of consulting pipeline targets.
Thought Leadership & Practice Development
· Develop consulting frameworks and reusable assets for discovery and preclinical transformation, translational R&D, clinical trial transformation, and digital innovation.
· Produce thought leadership on emerging topics such as AI-enabled drug discovery, multimodal research data, translational biomarkers, external research ecosystems, and next-generation clinical development.
· Represent the firm at industry forums, client roundtables, and innovation workshops.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
· Mentor consultants and managers to build clinical trial domain expertise and consulting capabilities.
· Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and client impact.
· Support the recruitment, onboarding, and development of Life Sciences consulting talent.
What will help you stand out
· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or a related discipline; an advanced scientific degree is preferred
· 14–18 years of professional experience, including consulting or industry experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or contract research organization R&D, with meaningful exposure to discovery or preclinical development
· Demonstrated expertise in R&D transformation and associated digital initiatives, with an understanding of target-to-candidate workflows, translational research, preclinical studies, and the transition into clinical development
· Proven track record leading complex consulting engagements and supporting business development activities
· Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and problem solving skills
These will help you succeed
· Experience with discovery, preclinical, translational, or broader R&D operational excellence and transformation programs
· Working knowledge of target identification and validation, assay development, screening, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, candidate selection, and IND-enabling studies
· Exposure to AI, computational methods, data, automation, and digital innovation within Life Sciences R&D
· Understanding of in vitro and in vivo research, pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, toxicology, bioinformatics, and research data workflows
· Experience working with or managing external research partners and contract research organizations
· Knowledge of regulatory compliance, GxP environments, research quality, and data integrity expectations
· Experience developing consulting assets, methodologies, or thought leadership
· Prior experience leading or mentoring consulting teams
Working model
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring presence in a client or Cognizant office as needed. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations
Compensation
The annual salary for this position is between $122,400 - $194,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• 17 paid holidays plus Paid Time Off.
• 401(k) plan and contributions.
• Long-term/Short-term Disability.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Post closing date
Applications will be accepted until September 30th, 2026.
关于高知特 (Cognizant)
高知特(Cognizant)（纳斯达克代码：CTSH）作为一家AI Builder和相关技术服务提供商，致力于通过打造全栈AI解决方案，帮助企业将人工智能投资转化为实际价值。公司凭借深厚的行业经验、流程优化和工程技术专长，将企业独特的业务场景融入科技系统，赋能组织释放人才潜能，推动切实成果，并帮助全球企业在瞬息万变的环境中保持领先。如需了解更多详情，敬请访问 cognizant.ai 或关注@cognizant。
补充雇佣信息
薪酬信息截至本职位发布之日为准。Cognizant 保留在适用法律允许的范围内随时修改该信息的权利。
申请人可能需要通过现场面试或视频会议的方式参加面试。此外，候选人在每次面试时可能需要出示其当前所在州或政府签发的有效身份证件。
Cognizant 是一家提供平等就业机会的雇主。在招聘过程中，您的申请和候选资格不会因种族、肤色、性别、宗教、信仰、性取向、性别认同、国籍、残疾、遗传信息、怀孕、退伍军人身份或任何其他受联邦、州或地方法律保护的特征而受到影响。
