Top Life Science Recruitment Trends for 2025: What Employers Need to Know

The UK life science industry is undergoing a major transformation. From the rise of AI and digital health technologies to a global shortage of critical skills, employers in pharma, biotech, medtech and research are facing increasing challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent.

As we move through 2025, understanding the latest life science recruitment trends is essential - whether you're scaling a biotech startup, expanding a contract research organisation (CRO), or future-proofing your pharmaceutical workforce.

In this article, we explore:

• The biggest hiring challenges facing life science employers

• Key recruitment trends shaping talent acquisition in 2025

• What you can do to attract, retain, and engage the best scientific professionals

What are the biggest challenges for life science recruiters right now?

Increased demand for digital literacy skills

One of the key challenges the life science industry is facing in 2025 is the digital skills shortage. The rapid evolution of digital technology in recent years has drastically changed the skill sets required for life science roles across the board. While companies are still inundated with applications, the percentage of candidates who possess the right skills and qualifications is often quite low.

According to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) 43% of pharmaceutical companies have reported a lack of digital literacy skills among candidates. As a whole, the life science sector is 35% short of the required talent, and that gap is expected to widen as time passes.

An ageing population

As human life expectancies continues to increase and the birth rate continues to decline, demand for healthcare services is growing rapidly, adding even more pressure to an already strained talent pool. Studies suggest that by 2030, the life sciences industry will need to recruit approximately 133,000 additional professionals to account for the ageing population.

 

Life science recruitment trends to watch out for in 2025

1) AI screening

It’s no secret that AI is now being used to automate a wide range of tasks in almost every industry, and life science recruitment is no different. From CV screening to chatbot-led interviews, AI is helping life science recruiters to find talent more efficiently than ever before. However, there is a risk that without the help of human intuition, AI-powered recruitment tools may overlook less conventional candidates whose talent, creativity and outside-the-box thinking could be vital to the future of the life science industry.

 

2) Remote work

Five years on from the first COVID-19 lockdowns, remote and hybrid roles are still gaining ground, even in lab-centric fields like biotech and pharma. This is pushing recruitment agencies to look for candidates who excel in both collaborative and remote environments. This trend has also prompted employers to look beyond their own back garden for talent, eliminating borders and opening up international opportunities for candidates all over the world.

 

3) Diversity, equity and inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is no longer just an aim for life science companies – it’s an imperative, and life science organisations are being held to their DEI commitments. This means recruitment agencies will be focusing on hiring candidates who not only have the technical requirements, but who will also enrich the team dynamics.

 

4) Talent retention

With the skills gap forever growing and talent in short supply, retaining current employees is just as important as hiring new workers. In 2025, life science companies will be ramping up their hiring efforts, so there’s a real risk that you will lose some of your best workers to a competitor. To avoid this, make sure you are taking time to focus on your employees, their goals and their needs.

As innovation continues to accelerate and demand for talent continues to grow, finding and retaining the right people for your life science roles will be a continual challenge. But by keeping an eye on these recruitment trends and embracing the latest industry changes, your company should come out on top!

If you need help with any area of life science recruitment, the team here at Hyper Recruitment Solutions can help. Get in touch with us today!