What Makes a Life Science Job Offer Competitive in 2022?

Even before the pandemic, life science companies were addressing the ways they could retain top talent including flexible working and flatter organisational models. Now, in a vacancy heavy marketplace, it’s more important than ever to understand what candidates want.

The life science industry employs professionals across a plethora of functions. Some functions like commercial and medical information leant themselves to hybrid working models through the pandemic. But for manufacturing, R&D, clinical ops, and others that required on-site working, employers needed to provide assurances and other benefits to keep production going. So, what do life science professionals value in a job? Keep reading to find the top 6 factors that make a job offer competitive. 

Salary is a major job motivator for life science professionals, but it’s not the most important. Across most permanent roles, career progression and leadership come top of the list. Life science professionals want to invest in their futures after the last few years of uncertainty, and are looking for roles with clear routes of progression and good leadership. Med Tech company Stryker UK ranked 2nd in the UK’s Best Large Workplaces in 2021, with 90% of employees saying management has a clear view of where the organisation is going and how to get there. Horizon Tx, Fortune’s 2021 winner of Best Workplaces in Biotech, invested in their workforce during the pandemic. Employees appreciated their vigilance on health and well-being and inherent understanding of their personal situations. 

Placing importance on good leadership and work environments is something shared across many industries. In Glassdoor’s Best companies to work for in 2022 list, the main factors in the top 10 companies were:

• Good workplace culture/ environment
• Good leadership
• Focus on employees’ well-being and development

 When it comes to making a career move salary increase and career progression are the top motivators once again. But flexible working also ranks highly, and candidates are increasingly considering things like company culture and reputation when considering roles. With over 50% of candidates willing to relocate for a role based on benefits or salary, roles which can’t be made fully remote can still be competitive in the current hybrid working landscape with better pay, perks, and focus on employee development and well-being.

When advertising for permanent roles, showing the salary range is a must. It’s one of the main motivators for life science professionals, and that top talent you’re trying to attract won’t want to waste their time on an application just to find out the salary isn’t within their range. If the salary isn’t competitive, highlight other motivators like flexible working, relocation packages, and other benefits, and provide links to the company social media to give insight into the workplace culture.

 The top 6 things that make a life science role competitive:

• Salary
• Career progression
• Therapeutic area/ work focus
• Company culture
• Flexible working
• Benefits e.g. healthcare, bonuses and travel

If you’re interested in finding out how we can help with your recruitment plans, contact us today!