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.