20th August 2025
Jobs Market in Pharma and Biotech Jan – June 2025
Just back from holiday and as well as having a much-needed break and time to spend with the family, it has also given me the chance to reflect and review on our performance over the last six months as well as contemplate the changes in the global life science landscape.
It’s been an interesting six months for the Pharma and Biotech industry. As a business, we have seen an increased need for our services, which has been reflected in a strong performance in Q2 and Q3 (Feb-July).
Coming up to our third-year anniversary and as is to be expected from an early-stage business, KEMIO is becoming more established in the market and continuing to grow our global client base. We have particularly noticed an increase in the use of our Employer of Record (EOR) solution for companies looking to enter the UK and EU market and take advantage of the niche and experienced talent pools.
The pharmaceutical and biotech job market itself has been marked by both resilience and realignment over the last half-year. While the sector continues to benefit from strong demand for innovation I feel cost pressures, regulatory challenges and shifting investment climates have shaped hiring trends.
Pharma companies remained relatively stable, focusing on roles in regulatory affairs, clinical operations and medical affairs. Biotech startups experienced uneven hiring, with well-funded firms expanding R&D teams while others have slowed recruitment due to venture funding constraints.
Many biotech companies have announced workforce reductions, particularly those at early-stage, in order to extend runway capital amid cautious investor sentiment.
Large pharmaceutical firms have engaged in targeted reorganizations, often reallocating headcount from mature product lines towards specialty drugs, oncology and biologics.
Roles that we have noticed that are in demand include clinical research associates, biostatisticians, regulatory professionals, talent in cell & gene therapy and most of all talent in AI/ML for drug discovery. We are also seeing the emergence of demand for digital health expertise, real-world evidence (RWE) analysts, and market access strategists.
Looking forward, the next six months are likely to see measured recovery in biotech hiring and steady demand in pharma, particularly in regulatory, R&D, and digital health-related roles. Long-term growth will be tied to innovation in biologics, cell & gene therapies, and AI-enabled drug development. There are risk factors with the occurrence of major global events which can affect supply chains and impact manufacturing but overall, we see a positive next six months both for the industry and for KEMIO.
If you would like to discuss the current market conditions in more detail get in touch with the Kemio team for a discussion. You can reach us on +44 (0) 3300883801 or email info@kemioconsulting.com
