MedTech – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, December 2024
Rising Demand for Non-Scientific Roles in UK MedTech
Key findings include:
- Non-Scientific vacancies in the Medtech are expected to increase by 15.2%
- South East of England holds the majority (27.5%) of Medtech vacancies across the UK
- Quality Assurance are predicted to see a 29.8% increase year-on-year
- Thermo Fisher Scientific leads the field with an extraordinary 115.4% growth
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The MedTech sector is slowly gathering steam again in the UK’s post-pandemic economy, and manufacturing is now being scaled up. For 2024 so far, the total number of vacancies has risen overall (both in scientific and non-scientific positions across MedTech). Specifically, though, scientific positions are estimated to reach an approximate 1,425 in the UK – resulting in an 11.4% year-on-year change. Scientific vacancies then hold a share of 21.4% of all openings in MedTech.
Similarly, non-scientific vacancies have seen a rise this year too, with a 15.2% year-on-year increase – or 5,220 positions, holding the rest of the 78.6% share of the MedTech vacancies, and an increase from the 2023 year. That is according to the latest UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends report by Cpl and market data analysts Vacancysoft.
South is leading in scientific vacancies
As a wide regional breakdown, we can see the South East of England has led vacancies in the MedTech sector since 2022 and this year is no change. For 2024, there is an estimation of 392 vacancies, meaning the South East will hold a 27.5% share of all positions. This is a slight decrease from the share they held in 2023 which was 31.7%. The East of England follows suit with a slight decrease from 14.2% to 13.4%. London, perhaps the expected champion of vacancies falls behind all three of these regions. However, it will see an increase across 2024 of 23.8% and a share increase from 8.7% in 2023 to 9.6% in 2024. Percentage-wise, the South West is set to see the highest numbers with an estimated 110.4% increase in scientific vacancies.
The largest year on year growth is for Quality Assurance
For scientific roles in demand, Quality Assurance is expected to experience the most significant growth between 2023 and 2024, with an increase of 29.8% and a rise in market share to 8.7%. Similarly, Quality Control is forecast to grow, reaching 88 roles, marking a 22.7% increase. Laboratory work, while maintaining its position as the highest in demand for the third consecutive year, is set to total 197 roles but with a modest year-on-year rise of just 6.7%.
Among non-scientific roles, Sales is anticipated to grow by 19.7%. Engineering vacancies are expected to increase their share from 15.2% to 18.4%, with a 39.0% rise. Marketing and PR roles are predicted to grow by 19.9%.
Thermo Fisher Scientific leads the way
The life sciences sector within the MedTech profession is set for remarkable growth in 2024, with leading companies implementing varied strategies to meet market needs. Thermo Fisher Scientific is at the forefront, with a staggering 115.4% year-on-year rise in scientific vacancies, projected to reach approximately 343. This growth reflects its advancements in diagnostics and bioproduction, vital for healthcare innovation post-pandemic. Similarly, Baxter, renowned for its expertise in critical care and advanced surgical products, is expected to see a 73.3% increase in vacancies. Leica Company also predicts a 68.2% rise, driven by its cutting-edge work in precision optics and imaging solutions.
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