An essential element of innovations and advancements across the entire scientific landscape, Biotechnology is amongst the most dynamic, important and rapidly evolving sectors in the global economy.  

Having a significant role in areas such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, environmental sectors, and energy production, Biotech has been at the heart of groundbreaking discoveries and developments, from critical advancements in gene therapy and synthetic biology to the development of sustainable biofuels and precision medicine.  

Looking ahead, Biotech is expected to continue reshaping industries and improving lives. As the industry grows at an unprecedented pace, to keep up with demand for innovation, a critical challenge is emerging, a challenge to find, hire and nurture talent with the skills required to make an impact now, and into the future.  

In response, Biotech organisations must be ready to react with an effective approach to recruitment. SRG’s complete guide to Biotechnology recruitment is designed to help them do just that.  

Reacting to the growth of the Biotechnology Industry 

The global biotechnology market is projected to exceed $5.85 trillion by 2034, driven by increasing demand for healthcare innovation, agricultural sustainability, and environmental solutions.  

In the UK alone, biotech is vital to the life sciences sector, not only in driving scientific breakthroughs, but also as a contributor of billions of pounds to the economy and a provider of thousands of jobs and lasting, impactful employment opportunities. 

Key growth areas include: 

  • Biopharmaceuticals: Development of biologics, vaccines, and cell/gene therapies. 

  • Agricultural biotech: Genetically modified crops and sustainable farming technologies. 

  • Industrial biotech: Enzymes and bio-based materials for manufacturing. 

  • Environmental biotech: Waste treatment and pollution control using biological systems. 

As these areas expand, so does the need for highly skilled professionals who can drive innovation forward.  

Learn more about trends in Biopharma Industry. 

Biotech’s job growth potential 

Despite global economic headwinds which are presenting challenges for the majority of sectors and organisations, recruitment in biotechnology remains strong, reflecting the industry’s vital role in driving scientific progress and sustaining employment growth globally and in the UK. 

Global Trends 

  • The global biotechnology industry employs 13.2 million people as of 2025, with 740,000 new jobs created in the past year alone. 

  • The sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6% from 2025 to 2034. 

  • In the U.S., biotech employment rose 15% between 2019 and 2023, far outpacing national job growth. Life sciences research employment has increased 79% over the past 20 years. 

UK-Specific Growth 

  • In the UK, biotech employment reached 101,373 in 2025, up from 94,579 in 2024. 

  • This represents a 6.8% average annual growth rate between 2020 and 2025. 

  • The average biotech business in the UK now employs 32.7 people, with productivity (revenue per employee) also on the rise. 

These figures not only highlight Biotech’s scope for continued, long-term growth, but also underscore the critical importance of recruitment in sustaining and scaling biotech innovation.  

But as demand on the sector increases, demand and competition for top Biotech talent will intensify. As a result, organisations must adopt strategic hiring practices to remain competitive. 

In-demand Biotech roles and skills 

  • Bioprocess Engineers: Experts in upstream and downstream processing, with strong knowledge of GMP and scale-up techniques. These professionals play a pivotal role in advancing biomanufacturing and process optimisation. 

  • Molecular Biologists & Geneticists: Skilled in CRISPR, RNA sequencing, and gene editing, with experience using bioinformatics tools to accelerate genetic research and innovation. 

  • Quality Assurance & Control Professionals: Experts in validation, auditing, and risk management, with deep knowledge of ISO and GMP standards to ensure product safety and consistency. 

  • Clinical Research Associates (CRAs): Responsible for monitoring clinical trials and maintaining protocol adherence, with a thorough understanding of ICH-GCP guidelines to uphold research integrity. 

 Alongside technical expertise, soft skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability are highly sought-after, especially in cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams. 

Emerging roles and skills in Biotech 

  • Bioinformatics & Data Scientists: Leveraging AI-driven drug discovery and genomic data analysis, these professionals are at the forefront of integrating computational tools with biological research. 

  • Synthetic Biologists: Designing new biological systems and functions, requiring interdisciplinary expertise across biology, chemistry, and engineering. 

  • Automation & Robotics Specialists: Driving lab automation and high-throughput screening, and enabling the integration of robotics in biomanufacturing to increase efficiency and scalability. 

  • Digital Health Experts: Innovating with wearable technology and remote diagnostics, and navigating regulatory frameworks for digital therapeutics and health data security.  

Looking ahead, the biotech workforce will increasingly require a blend of scientific acumen, digital literacy, systems thinking, and ethical awareness to thrive as the landscape evolves and demands on Biotech’s capabilities scale up. 

The Importance of effective Biotech recruitment strategies  

As the demand for skilled professionals intensifies, so too do the challenges facing biotech recruitment. Addressing these challenges with proactive, strategic approaches is essential for sustaining innovation, accelerating research and development, and driving long-term success. 

  • Talent shortages: The rapid evolution of biotech has led to significant shortages, particularly in specialised areas such as cell therapy, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology. As emerging roles require a blend of scientific acumen and digital literacy, the competition for such expertise is fierce. 

  • Intense competition: Both startups and established pharmaceutical companies are competing for the same limited pool of highly skilled candidates. 

  • Geographic constraints: Biotech talent often clusters in established academic regions such as Cambridge and Oxford, leaving companies in remote or less prominent locations struggling to attract candidates willing to relocate or work outside such areas. 

  • Retention concerns: Challenges with staff retention disrupts projects and can lead to costly delays, particularly in fast-paced research environments where continuity and expertise are vital.  

To overcome these hurdles, biotech companies must invest in tailored recruitment strategies that address both immediate and long-term needs: 

  • Employer branding: Position your organisation as a purpose-driven, innovative workplace. Highlighting your mission, culture, and commitment to impactful science can help attract talent that aligns with your values. 

  • Talent pipelining: Build and nurture relationships with potential candidates before roles become available. Proactive engagement ensures a ready pool of qualified professionals when opportunities arise. 

  • Diversity & inclusion: Foster inclusive environments that welcome diverse perspectives, which are proven to drive creativity and innovation in multidisciplinary teams. 

  • Flexible hiring models: Leverage contract, interim, and project-based hiring to meet dynamic operational needs, scale teams quickly, and access specialised expertise for critical phases of development.  

Biotech organisations that embrace the recruitment challenges and strategies are better positioned to accelerate R&D, ensure regulatory compliance, and scale operations effectively, and build resilient teams that drive ongoing innovation and industry leadership. At SRG, we’re here and ready to help you do just that.  

Partnering with SRG: Your Biotech Recruitment Experts 

With over 30 years of experience in Life Sciences recruitment, SRG is uniquely positioned to support organisations in finding the best biotech talent they need to thrive. Whether you're a startup seeking your first hire or a global firm scaling operations, we provide: 

  • Specialist consultants with biotech expertise 

  • Access to a vast network of highly-skilled talent 

  • Bespoke recruitment solutions tailored to organisational needs and objectives 

  • Compliance-focused hiring processes