At CY Partners, we understand that recruitment in the life sciences sector is constantly evolving. With market conditions continually shifting, businesses need to adapt their hiring strategies to remain competitive. Our 2025 Life Sciences Recruitment Trends Survey offers valuable findings into the factors shaping recruitment practices within the sector. This closer look highlights the shifting priorities and emerging challenges as organisations prepare for the year ahead.

With increasing demand for skilled talent and the need for innovative approaches to talent management, organisations are focusing on strategies that not only help attract top applicants but also retain employees in a highly competitive job market. Our survey uncovers the latest recruitment priorities, hurdles and approaches for the life sciences sector as it navigates these complex shifts.

Key Findings from the 2025 Recruitment Trends Survey

Optimism for growth in 2025: A positive outlook for the life sciences sector

One of the most promising insights from our survey is the sector’s outlook for growth in 2025. A significant 60% of respondents anticipate an increase in headcount next year, pointing to strong optimism about business performance, improved funding opportunities, and heightened market demand. This marks a notable shift, with only 4% of respondents expecting a headcount decrease, indicating a positive outlook for life sciences compared to previous years.
This forecast aligns with broader trends in the UK workforce, where growth is expected to continue, particularly in key sectors such as life sciences, which remain central to the nation’s innovation and economic growth.

Addressing the talent shortage: Tackling skills gaps and attracting top talent

Despite the optimistic outlook, 50% of respondents reported facing significant difficulties in finding skilled talent. The talent shortage continues to be a major issue, highlighting the critical need for strategies to address skill gaps within the sector.

Many companies are focusing on upskilling their current workforce and developing internal mobility programmes to create a more agile, resilient talent pool. Additionally, forging stronger partnerships with educational institutions has become a priority to ensure the next generation of talent is equipped with the necessary skills to meet industry needs.

Diversity and inclusion initiatives are also a growing focus, as companies seek to attract a wider talent pool, foster innovation and build a more inclusive, sustainable workforce.

Streamlining recruitment: enhancing efficiency and reducing time-to-hire

Recruitment efficiency remains a significant concern for many organisations. Approximately 40% of respondents noted challenges with irrelevant CVs and applications, which adds complexity to sourcing qualified employees. This highlights the need for more targeted recruitment strategies that can streamline the hiring process and reduce time-to-hire.

Organisations are increasingly focusing on strengthening their employer brand to attract the right job seekers more effectively. A clear and compelling Employer Value Proposition (EVP) helps companies differentiate themselves in a competitive talent market.

Top priorities for 2025: Retaining and attracting talent

As we look to 2025, retaining top talent is emerging as the primary concern for life sciences organisations. Nearly 75% of respondents identified employee retention as a key priority, underscoring the difficulty of replacing skilled professionals in a tight labour market.
Retention strategies for 2025 will focus on creating environments where employees thrive, with an emphasis on professional development, work-life balance, and a supportive workplace culture. Retention and attraction go hand in hand and by focusing on retention, an organisation creates a positive workplace reputation that naturally attracts talent. Prospective employees are more likely to join an organisation where they see a strong commitment to staff development, well-being, and career growth.

Talent attraction remains equally critical, with 50% of respondents prioritising the recruitment of new talent in 2025. In recognition of evolving employee expectations organisations are clearly acknowledging the need to enhance salaries and benefits.
Cost of living pressures are a big factor, but employees are not just looking for better pay, benefits play a crucial role in attracting and retaining top talent. The life sciences sector often demands highly skilled professionals, offering a compelling benefits package tailored to their unique needs can set employers apart.
As societal expectations within the sector shift towards more inclusive and equitable workplaces, enhanced family friendly benefits reflecting a company’s commitment to supporting employees in their personal lives as well as their professional ambitions position themselves as attractive employers who genuinely value the well-being of their workforce.
In addition, aligning employee benefits with sustainability fosters a sense of pride and reflect the life science industry’s broader commitment to creating a positive impact on both people and the planet. These benefits demonstrate that employers care about more than just output; they show a genuine investment in the well-being of employees, their families, and the planet, making these companies more attractive and competitive in the talent marketplace.

A strategic approach to recruitment in 2025

The findings from our survey illustrate how life sciences organisations are adapting to the evolving needs of the modern workforce. As the industry moves into 2025, a focus on both talent attraction and retention as complementary strategies will be crucial. Organisations that invest in upskilling, develop internal mobility programmes and create a supportive work environment will be better positioned for success.
Companies are demonstrating their increasing confidence in the sectors prospects and positioning themselves to succeed not only in the near future, but in years to come.

Thank you for your participation

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all who participated in the 2025 Life Sciences Recruitment Trends Survey. Your input has been indispensable in enhancing our understanding of the complexities and potential within life sciences recruitment.

At CY Partners, we are committed to helping businesses adapt to these changes and develop effective recruitment strategies. As experts in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical, and related sectors, we are here to support you in attracting, retaining and developing the talent your organisation needs to succeed.

If you would like to discuss how these findings can influence your hiring plans for 2025, please don’t hesitate to contact us.