Graduate Analyst Intern - Life Sciences Consulting

IQVIA is The Human Data Science Company, combining data, technology, advanced analytics, and human expertise to help healthcare clients improve outcomes for patients. Our solutions support better decision-making across the healthcare ecosystem and drive meaningful progress in life sciences.

Advisory Services

Advisory Services is IQVIA's global consulting engine and a leading advisor to life sciences and healthcare clients. We support global and regional headquarters across the full product lifecycle, addressing complex commercial and access challenges. Our work spans brand and go-to-market strategy, pricing and market access, portfolio and asset strategy, launch excellence, commercial model design, digital health optimisation, and omnichannel engagement.

We are a highly international team with a truly global way of working. Our culture emphasises collaboration, analytical rigour, continuous learning, and practical impact. We leverage modern tools, standardised ways of working, and increasing use of automation and AI so our teams can focus on delivering meaningful outcomes for clients.

Joining Advisory Services offers a rewarding career in life sciences consulting, with exposure to diverse therapy areas, geographies, and business challenges. Team members collaborate with leading experts in pharma and healthcare, benefit from continuous learning, and contribute to innovative thinking shaping the future of healthcare.

The Programme

In this fast-paced 12-month Graduate Analyst Programme, you'll support the design, development, and delivery of exciting and complex consulting projects for some of the world's leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare organisations. By translating data into meaningful information and communicating your recommendations, you'll gain valuable insights, develop consulting and analytical skills, and kick-start your career in life sciences consulting.

Based in Centurion, South Africa, you will be part of an international consulting team, collaborating regularly with colleagues across regions and working on projects for leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare organisations across global markets. You will contribute to research and consulting projects spanning multiple countries, regions and global markets, gaining exposure to real business challenges and building strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

Projects may involve global, regional or multi-country questions, requiring you to research unfamiliar markets and quickly understand different healthcare systems and commercial environments.

Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on project experience, you will learn how to translate complex information into meaningful insights and strategic recommendations that help our clients make better decisions for patients and healthcare systems around the world.

What you will be doing

·       Contributing to and making recommendations in brainstorming sessions to develop project methodology.

·       Conducting independent desk research to a brief using internal and external sources.

·       Taking responsibility for creating client deliverables such as sections of reports and presentations, under supervision.

·       Supporting thought leadership initiatives and internal knowledge development.

·       Acquiring deep knowledge of IQVIA data sources and acting as an advisor to other members of the consulting team.

·       Proactively developing knowledge of the healthcare industry and consulting methodologies.

·       Supporting projects across a variety of strategic topics, including brand strategy, market access, launch excellence, portfolio strategy, patient and physician insights, and healthcare innovation.

·       Collaborating with colleagues across international teams and contributing to projects for global life sciences clients.

·       Working in international and virtual project teams, coordinating effectively across cultures, geographies and time zones.

·       Conducting research and analysis across global markets, using international sources and adapting approaches to different market contexts.

Who you are

·       A recent graduate or early-career professional with a strong academic track record.

·       A degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Business, Data Science, Computer Science, or another quantitative discipline. Candidates with Honours, Master's, or PhD qualifications in Life Sciences or related scientific disciplines are particularly encouraged to apply.

·       An interest, track record, or exposure to consulting, analytics, research, or related extracurricular activities.

·       Committed to providing high-quality work with an interest in rapid learning and skill development.

·       Proven analytical, interpretative, and problem-solving skills.

·       Good commercial awareness/business judgement and an interest in the healthcare industry.

·       Excellent IT literacy, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

·       Strong organisational and time-management skills.

·       Attention to detail and ability to deliver high-quality work within timelines.

·       A self-starter who thrives in a client-focused, highly international, cross-regional and culturally diverse team environment.

·       Curious about international markets and comfortable researching countries, healthcare systems and business environments beyond your home market.

·       Exposure to or a strong interest in AI, machine learning, data science, advanced analytics, automation or programming tools such as Python, R or SQL would be an advantage.

Location and Working Model

·       Centurion, South Africa

·       Hybrid working model

·       Start date: January 2027

Career Development

The programme provides a structured entry point into IQVIA's consulting organisation, offering significant opportunities for learning, development, and career growth.

Participants who demonstrate strong performance, commitment, and potential during the programme may be considered for progression into permanent opportunities within IQVIA, subject to business needs and available roles.

What you can expect from us

·       Structured onboarding and training programme

·       Ongoing coaching and mentoring from experienced consultants

·       Exposure to global healthcare and life sciences projects

·       Opportunity to work directly with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies

·       A collaborative, diverse, and international working environment

·       Clear development pathways within IQVIA Consulting and the broader organisation

Important information

·       This Graduate Analyst Programme is delivered through a 12-month full-time internship contract.

·       During the programme, you will receive structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience supporting global life sciences consulting projects.

·       High-performing participants may be considered for permanent opportunities within IQVIA, subject to business needs and available roles.

·       Must have the right to work in South Africa. IQVIA is unable to sponsor visas for this opportunity.

What you can expect from our recruitment process

·       Step one: Starts with your application

·       Step two: Online test (business analysis and data interpretation)

·       Step three: Interview with our Talent Acquisition Principal

·       Step four: Interview with the business

·       1st Round Fit interview and mini case study

·       2nd Round Case Study

·       3rd Round Competency Interview

·       Step five: Feedback

We know that meaningful results require not only the right approach but also the right people. Regardless of your role, we invite you to reimagine healthcare with us. You will have the opportunity to play an important part in helping our clients drive healthcare forward.

IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at https://jobs.iqvia.com

IQVIA is committed to integrity in our hiring process and maintains a zero tolerance policy for candidate fraud. All information and credentials submitted in your application must be truthful and complete. Any false statements, misrepresentations, or material omissions during the recruitment process will result in immediate disqualification of your application, or termination of employment if discovered later, in accordance with applicable law. We appreciate your honesty and professionalism.