Biotechnology Labour Market Trends Report Dec 23

05

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Skills in Demand

Skills in Demand: Top Divisions Biotechnology Sector, Scientific vacancies, 2021-2023 *Est, UK

Skills in Demand: Top Divisions Biotechnology Sector, Scientific vacancies, 2021-2023 *Est, EU

R&D

R&D

Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance

Clinical

Clinical

Regulatory Affairs

Drug Manufacturing

Scientific Support

Medical Affairs & Medical Information

250

500

750

1,000

1,250

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2023*

2023*

2021

2021

2022

2022

Source: Vacancysoft Analytics

Source: Vacancysoft Analytics

*- Forecast 2023

*- Forecast 2023

Fig. 05

Fig. 06

The UK biotech sector 2023 continues to underscore the critical importance of Research and Development (R&D), which retains the largest market share at 57.3%, despite a significant 47.4% decrease in vacancies from the previous year. This fall follows a modest 1.9% rise in 2022, a year that otherwise marked downturns across various skill sets. Regulatory Affairs experienced the most considerable decline, with a 50% drop in job openings, illustrating the impact of industry shifts on regulatory roles. Despite facing a 42.5% decrease in vacancies, Quality Assurance saw its market share grow to 13.9%, reflecting its sustained essential role within the sector. With an 8.2% market share, the Clinical division remains a consistent demand area despite a 45.8% drop in opportunities. Scientific Support witnessed the second-largest reduction at 48.5%, indicative of the broader trend affecting specialised roles within the industry. Overall, the sharp decline in job openings across all divisions suggests a period of recalibration for the UK’s biotech sector as it navigates the post-pandemic landscape and adjusts to new economic realities.

In the EU27, 2023 has been a year of change for skill demand within the biotechnology sector; R&D remains the predominant division despite a significant 42.4% year-on-year vacancy reduction, retaining a 33.0% share of the job market. This notable decrease follows a positive trend in 2022. The Drug Manufacturing and Medical Affairs & Medical Information divisions are unique to the EU27’s top demands, reflecting the region’s robust manufacturing sector. However, both divisions have experienced significant declines, with Drug Manufacturing witnessing a 41.1% drop in vacancies. This trend is a departure from the previous year’s 43.5% increase, suggesting a post-pandemic normalisation following an initial surge in demand. Quality Assurance, after a 16.1% increase in 2022, faced a downturn with a 39.7% decline in 2023. Conversely, the Clinical division, although seeing a reduction in roles, appears to be the least affected, with a more minor 12.5% year-on-year change and an increase in market share to 10.9%.

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