How to Find Science and Life Sciences Jobs in Scotland

Scotland is home to a thriving Life Sciences industry, with opportunities spanning pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug discovery, biotechnology, medical devices and scientific research. From global pharmaceutical companies to university spin-outs developing new treatments, there's far more to the Scottish science sector than many jobseekers might realise.

But where are these opportunities, which companies should you know about, and how do you find a role that suits your experience?

We've taken a closer look at Scotland's Life Sciences landscape, highlighting some of the organisations shaping the industry and what their work means for scientific careers.

Scotland's Life Sciences Industry: Bigger Than You Might Think

Scotland has built a strong reputation for scientific innovation, but the scale of its Life Sciences industry might surprise you.

According to the Scottish Government, the sector supports approximately 51,000 jobs across more than 700 businesses and higher education institutions.

And it's not just about academic research. Scotland has an established commercial Life Sciences industry, with businesses developing medicines, manufacturing pharmaceutical products, delivering drug discovery services and creating technologies used by scientists around the world.

Edinburgh and the Lothians have strong links between healthcare, biotechnology and research. Glasgow and the surrounding areas support pharmaceutical services, manufacturing and medical technologies. Dundee has an internationally recognised drug discovery community, while Aberdeen is developing its biotechnology and commercial research ecosystem.

And beyond these centres, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, specialist laboratories and scientific businesses operate across locations including Angus, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and the wider Central Belt.

Which Life Sciences Companies Operate in Scotland?

One of the best ways to understand Scotland's job market is to look at the businesses already operating there.

Here are several organisations worth knowing about, along with the type of work they do and the careers associated with their activities.

GSK: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Montrose

Global biopharmaceutical company GSK has a significant pharmaceutical manufacturing presence in Montrose, Angus.

Its Montrose facility manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients used in medicines, including treatments for respiratory conditions and HIV, as well as vaccine-related products.

The scale of the operation is considerable. In a previously announced investment programme, GSK committed approximately £110 million towards a new manufacturing facility at Montrose. At the time of that announcement, the company reported employing more than 450 people at the site.

For candidates, operations like Montrose highlight career opportunities beyond traditional laboratory research. Pharmaceutical manufacturing requires expertise across production, process engineering, quality assurance, validation, maintenance and technical operations.

Worth exploring if you have experience in: GMP manufacturing, chemical engineering, process development, quality assurance or pharmaceutical production.

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Supporting Global Biotechnology from Inchinnan

Thermo Fisher Scientific is another major Life Sciences employer with an important Scottish presence.

Its Inchinnan facility, near Glasgow, manufactures cell culture media and bioprocess materials used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations.

These products play an important role in helping scientists grow and maintain cells for research and the development and manufacture of biological medicines.

Thermo Fisher identifies Inchinnan as one of its largest UK locations. Across the UK, the business reported approximately 6,000 employees at the end of 2025, although this is a nationwide figure rather than a Scottish site headcount.

For candidates interested in biotechnology, the Inchinnan operation is a good example of how Scotland contributes to international pharmaceutical supply chains.

Worth exploring if you have experience in: Bioprocessing, manufacturing, quality control, biotechnology, supply chain or technical operations.

Charles River Laboratories: Drug Development and Safety Assessment

Charles River Laboratories provides scientific services that help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies develop new treatments.

Its operations around Tranent, East Lothian, support preclinical research and safety assessment, helping organisations evaluate potential medicines before they progress further through development.

This type of work is an important part of the pharmaceutical industry, even though it takes place outside the companies developing the medicines themselves.

Alongside scientific and laboratory positions, research services organisations require professionals in study management, quality assurance, technical support, reporting and operational functions.

Worth exploring if you have experience in: Laboratory sciences, preclinical research, toxicology, quality assurance, scientific operations or technical administration.

BioAscent: Drug Discovery in Lanarkshire

BioAscent is a specialist drug discovery services business based at BioCity in Newhouse, Lanarkshire, between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The company provides integrated drug discovery services and compound management, supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations with their research programmes.

Its location is particularly interesting. BioCity occupies a former pharmaceutical research and development site, demonstrating how established scientific facilities can support new generations of Life Sciences businesses. Their work brings together scientific disciplines including medicinal chemistry, biology and drug discovery support services.

For scientists interested in working across different research programmes, specialist contract research organisations can offer a different experience from working within one pharmaceutical company's internal research pipeline.

Worth exploring if you have experience in: Medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, compound management, laboratory research or scientific project delivery.

University of Dundee: A Major Centre for Drug Discovery

Scotland's universities aren't simply training the next generation of scientists. They're also making significant contributions to pharmaceutical research. The University of Dundee's Drug Discovery Unit is a particularly strong example.

The unit brings together expertise in medicinal chemistry, cell biology, structural biology, computational chemistry and drug metabolism to identify and develop potential new medicines.

Its published information highlights an impressive track record:

• Approximately 130 experienced translational scientists.
• More than £100 million secured in research funding.
• Four compounds progressed into clinical trials.
• Nine assets licensed to pharmaceutical companies.

The unit focuses on areas including infectious diseases and innovative drug targets, bringing academic research and pharmaceutical development closer together.

For candidates, this highlights the range of opportunities available at the intersection of academia and industry.

You don't necessarily have to choose between university research and commercial drug discovery. Some organisations combine elements of both.

Worth exploring if you have experience in: Medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, computational chemistry, assay development or translational research.

Where Are Scotland's Life Sciences Career Opportunities?

The examples above reveal something important: Scotland's Life Sciences industry isn't concentrated in one location, and different areas offer different types of opportunities.

Rather than focusing your search exclusively on a city, it can be more useful to understand the scientific strengths of the wider region.

Area	Scientific strengths and organisations worth exploring
Edinburgh and the Lothians	Biomedical research, clinical development, biotechnology, medical technologies and research services, including Edinburgh BioQuarter and Charles River Laboratories
Glasgow and the West	Precision medicine, biotechnology, diagnostics, drug discovery services and biomanufacturing, including Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sygnature Discovery
Dundee and Angus	Drug discovery, pharmaceutical research, biotechnology and manufacturing, including the University of Dundee's Drug Discovery Unit and GSK Montrose
Aberdeen and the North East	Biotechnology, medical research, diagnostics, environmental sciences and emerging Life Sciences businesses, including ONE BioHub
Lanarkshire and Central Scotland	Drug discovery services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, scientific operations and specialist laboratory businesses, including BioAscent

This isn't an exhaustive picture of the Scottish industry, but it provides a useful starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find pharmaceutical job opportunities in Scotland?

Start by identifying pharmaceutical employers and research services organisations that match your expertise. Companies such as GSK, Charles River Laboratories and BioAscent illustrate the different types of pharmaceutical-related work taking place in Scotland. Check their careers pages and explore specialist recruitment agencies for relevant vacancies.

Do I need a science degree to work in Scotland's Life Sciences industry?

Not always. Many scientific research roles require a relevant degree, and some require postgraduate qualifications. However, opportunities also exist in manufacturing, technical support, quality operations, administration and other functions where alternative qualifications or relevant experience may be accepted.

Which areas of Scotland have the most Life Sciences jobs?

Edinburgh and the Lothians, Glasgow and the surrounding areas, Dundee, Aberdeen and the wider Central Belt all contribute to Scotland's Life Sciences industry. The best location for your job search will depend on your specialism, as pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug discovery, biotechnology and research services are distributed across different areas.

Thinking About Your Next Move in Scotland's Life Sciences Industry?

One of the most encouraging things about Scotland's Life Sciences sector is its variety.

You could build a career helping manufacture medicines used around the world, contribute to the discovery of new treatments, support the safety assessment of potential therapies or work for a growing biotechnology business.

And those opportunities aren't limited to people following traditional scientific career paths. The industry needs engineers, quality professionals, regulatory specialists, project managers, commercial experts and operational teams, alongside its scientists and researchers.

If you're considering your next move, it's worth asking yourself three questions:

1. What type of work do I enjoy most? Research, manufacturing, technical problem-solving, project delivery or something else?
2. Which parts of the industry use my skills? Your experience may be relevant to more employers and job titles than you initially realise.
3. Which organisations are doing work that genuinely interests me? Understanding the science behind a business can be a much better starting point than applying indiscriminately to vacancies.

At Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS), we work with professionals across the Life Sciences industry, helping them explore opportunities that match their experience and ambitions.

If you're interested in finding out what your next move could look like, we'd be happy to help.

Explore our latest Life Sciences jobs or get in touch with our recruitment team.