Engineering hiring across the UK pharmaceuticals sector is entering a period of adjustment, with vacancies forecast to fall by 31.5% in 2026 following strong growth of 19.2% in 2025. The shift reflects a move away from expansion-led hiring towards a more efficiency-driven approach, as organisations respond to cost pressures and evolving operating models.
This report finds that UK life sciences hiring cooled in 2025 as companies prioritised funding discipline and cash efficiency, with scientific vacancies falling 7% overall despite continued strength in core hubs such as London and growth in South East England. While regional trends diverged—most notably rapid expansion in North East England—major employers such as Roche, Lonza, and Johnson & Johnson increased hiring, even as recruitment slowed at firms including GSK and AstraZeneca.
This report shows that the UK hiring market is recovering unevenly, with London remaining the largest hiring hub while regions like Northern Ireland, the North West, and the East Midlands are experiencing faster growth due to infrastructure investment and regional funding. The strongest driver of job creation is the technology sector, where demand for roles such as software engineers, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts continues to rise, supported by government industrial strategy and increased corporate investment in finance, infrastructure, and defence.
This report examines London’s stronger-than-average job growth in 2025, driven by rising demand for tech and executive roles. It highlights a shift toward digital skills as leading employers expand despite wider economic caution.
This report examines how global pricing pressure is driving a 9.6% decline in UK Medical Affairs hiring for 2025, with London remaining resilient and Wales surging. It highlights the contraction among major pharma, contrasted with growth in CROs and biotechs, and shows how AI is reshaping support roles while core scientific expertise remains in demand.
