While there is an ongoing skills shortage in the market, how are scientific vacancies faring in the UK in 2022? Which sectors are thriving, and what skills are the most in-demand? Which firms are the busiest hirers?
Written in partnership with CPL Life Sciences, this report reviews recruitment trends for scientific jobs in the UK’s life sciences industry. It observes the annual and monthly totals trends, examines in which sectors recruitment is rising, breaks down the skills in demand, and presents the hiring activity of the top firms.
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Latest reports
Commercial – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, May 2026
The UK commercial life sciences sector is expected to enter 2026 with a softer hiring outlook as firms shift from rapid expansion towards cost control and operational efficiency. Commercial vacancies are forecast to decline 1.4% year-on-year following several years of strong growth linked to GLP-1 launches and broader pharmaceutical expansion.
Fintech – UK Finance Market Labout Trends
Britain’s fintech labour market continues to expand despite an increasingly unsettled macroeconomic backdrop. Vacancies are forecast to rise by close to 14% in 2026, following a sharper 28% increase the previous year. London remains overwhelmingly dominant. Hiring in the capital is projected to grow by just over 14%, lifting its share of national fintech vacancies from nearly 67% in 2024 to around 71% this year. Early-month data suggests the momentum is not merely seasonal.
South West – Regional Labour Market Trends
Professional hiring activity across the South East is expected to strengthen again in 2026, although growth is becoming increasingly concentrated around specific functions. Rather than expanding headcount broadly, many employers are prioritising digital capability, engineering delivery and revenue generation, while more cyclical sectors continue to soften.
