2025 Life Sciences Hiring Outlook Continued: Insights from 100 HR Leaders

Seven months into 2025, and the life sciences industry is navigating one of the most dynamic and competitive hiring landscapes in its history. From biotech startups to global pharma companies, organisations are under increasing pressure to attract and retain top-tier scientific and operational talent. All the while, these companies are adapting to tighter budgets, evolving tech, and rising workforce expectations.

To better understand what’s ahead, we analysed insights from recent surveys and reports involving over 100 HR leaders and talent executives across the sector. Here’s what they said about the 2025 hiring agenda:

 

Scientific Talent Is in Short Supply - and High in Demand 

Even amidst economic uncertainty, the need for highly skilled professionals in the life sciences sector remains not only strong but intensifying. Specialised fields such as gene editing, cell and gene therapy, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and regulatory affairs continue to experience significant hiring demand. These roles require not only technical expertise but also the ability to work across disciplines and adapt to change as companies transition from discovery through to development and commercialisation.

According to HireMinds’ 2025 Hiring Trends, 65% of life sciences organisations are still struggling to attract suitably qualified candidates. This challenge is compounded by a limited pool of niche talent and heightened competition in key biotech hubs such as London, Cambridge, Oxford, and international centres like Boston and San Diego.

WIFI Talents also reports that the average time to fill a specialised role has risen to 78 days - the highest figure recorded in recent years. This marks an 18-day increase from the 2022–2023 average of 60 days, highlighting how talent scarcity and slower internal decision-making processes are lengthening recruitment cycles.

“We’re not just hiring scientists anymore – we’re hiring team players who can thrive in ambiguity,” said one HR leader at a Series B biotech.
“Technical skill is only half the story – adaptability is the other.”

These challenges underline the need for more efficient, targeted hiring strategies. At HRS, we help life sciences companies streamline their recruitment process and reach high-impact candidates who are not only qualified, but ready to grow with your organisation

Budgets Are Tight - But Hiring Remains Critical 

Amid cautious investor sentiment, life sciences companies are being challenged to hire smarter, not just faster. With increased focus on financial efficiency and return on investment, 67% of HR leaders report mounting pressure to reduce hiring costs while maintaining quality.

As a result, organisations are:

• Re-scoping roles to combine multiple functions
• Prioritising individuals with the capacity to scale with the business
• Moving away from volume hiring in favour of critical, high-leverage positions

The Mix Talent 2025 Trends Report notes that life sciences firms are concentrating their efforts on mission-critical hires with long-term strategic impact. However, delayed sign-offs and cautious compensation reviews are slowing down decisions - which can be costly in a competitive market.

HRS partners with clients to help sharpen hiring criteria, benchmark compensation, and ensure talent acquisition aligns with business priorities, even when budgets are under pressure.

Employer Branding Becomes a Competitive Edge 

As tech companies expand into biotech and large pharma refines its employer branding, startups and mid-sized life sciences companies must work harder to differentiate themselves. In 2025, talent is not just comparing salaries - they’re assessing company culture, clarity of mission, and long-term growth opportunities.

According to the LEAP HR 2025 Searchlight Report, 71% of HR leaders in life sciences are actively refining their Employer Value Proposition (EVP). This includes:

• More compelling communication around purpose and impact
• Smarter onboarding experiences
• Clearer progression pathways
• Stronger visibility into leadership and values

At HRS, we help our clients tell their story in a way that resonates with high-performing talent - ensuring the mission, values, and opportunity come through in every touchpoint.

 

Upskilling and Internal Mobility Are Key Retention Strategies

With long hiring cycles and rising salary expectations, retaining existing talent is just as important as attracting new candidates. Organisations are placing greater emphasis on upskilling, internal development, and career mobility as ways to strengthen engagement and reduce attrition.

WIFI Talents reports that 78% of companies in the sector are investing in internal growth strategies, including:

• Training programmes and certifications in specialist areas (such as GxP, AI, or clinical operations)
• Support for lateral moves across teams or departments
• More flexible career paths that allow team members to evolve as the business grows

 

AI Is Supporting (Not Replacing) Talent Acquisition

Artificial Intelligence is playing a growing role in recruitment, but not in the way many expected. Rather than replacing recruiters, AI is being used to automate repetitive tasks and enhance decision-making. Functions like CV parsing, candidate matching, and interview scheduling are being streamlined, freeing up hiring teams to focus on strategy and human connection.

According to Randstad Enterprise, only 23% of life sciences HR teams are currently using AI to directly influence hiring decisions. Most view it as a tool to augment human judgment, not replace it.

“We see AI as a co-pilot,” noted a Talent Lead at a MedTech company in Boston.
“It doesn’t replace judgment – it just saves us time.”

 

 Key Takeaways for Life Sciences Startups and Scaleups 

If you're a talent leader or founder navigating 2025 hiring challenges, here’s what to keep top of mind:

• Speed and clarity win. Prolonged processes lead to lost candidates.
• Employer brand is everything. Mission, culture, and visibility matter more than ever.
• Build for flexibility. Hybrid roles, internal mobility, and scalable skillsets are must-haves.
• Partner with experts. Specialised recruiters can help you hire faster, smarter, and more strategically.

 

How HRS Can Help

Looking ahead, the life sciences sector is set for continued growth - fuelled by innovation, technology, and expanding demand. But challenges like skill shortages and the need for agile, responsive hiring strategies remain. That’s where HRS comes in. By partnering with us, life sciences organisations gain the insight, flexibility, and talent expertise needed to navigate this evolving landscape. Whether you’re scaling fast, refining your employer brand, or building out niche functions, HRS is here to help you do it right.

Need help navigating your 2025 hiring strategy? Let’s talk.

 

• Sources:

• HireMinds: 'Sciences Hiring Trends 2025'
• WIFI Talents: 'HR in the Life Sciences Industry Statistics'
• LEAP HR: 'Life Sciences Searchlight 2025'
• Mix Talent: '2025 Trends Report'
• Randstad Enterprise: 'Talent Trends - Life Sciences'