Ideas, stories & thinking from the field

By Julien Funes Europe’s life sciences and biotech investment landscape has never been more competitive. Venture capital firms are deploying capital faster, portfolios are growing larger, and the…

One of the hardest parts of building an early-stage biotech or TechBio company is deciding what to hire next. Because early hiring decisions are not just hiring decisions. They are strategy…

Last year I wrote about the past, present and future of neurotechnology. At the time, a lot of the “future” still felt a bit theoretical but that is no longer the case. We’re only a few months into…

The idea of replacing a lost limb with a functional artificial one has existed for centuries, but the technology behind prosthetics has evolved dramatically. What began as simple wooden or metal…

By Julien Funes Europe’s life sciences and biotech ecosystem is scaling at a remarkable pace. Venture capital continues to flow into companies building everything from AI-driven drug discovery…

In BioTech, MedTech, and TechBio, AI is no longer just an experimental tool, it is the engine driving discovery, product development, and competitive advantage. Yet many companies still hire Data…

By Julien Funes The convergence of life sciences and technology has moved beyond buzzwords. Across Europe, Biotech, TechBio, Medical Device and research-driven organisations are scaling products…

If you’re in MedTech and thinking about relocating within Europe, the main factors are salary, career progression, and lifestyle. Some countries offer all three, others require trade-offs. Here’s a…

By Julien Funes. In the fast-evolving world of biotech, life sciences and medtech, career choices are not just about roles. They are about environments. Whether you are a software engineer, data…

By Jack Wilson. Across the life sciences sector, there’s a clear shift underway in how organisations think about data, AI, and machine learning. What was once experimental or exploratory is now…

By James Trott, Founder, Aspire Life Sciences Search Over the past twelve to eighteen months, the narrative in biotech and pharma has shifted quickly. A series of high-profile partnerships and data…

One of the most common conversations I’ve had with founders and investors over the past year starts with a simple question, but one that carries significant implications: Are you a biotech company…

As a Senior Recruitment Consultant specialising in tech roles across biotech and medtech, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolving landscape of hiring in these sectors. For software engineers…

The idea that humans can interact directly with machines using their brains has gone from science fiction to quietly transforming medicine. From early brain experiments to devices that restore…

Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing research and drug discovery — it’s transforming medical devices and diagnostics across Europe. AI and machine learning are driving one of the…

The short answer France is fast emerging as Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley, not for consumer tech, but for TechBio, MedTech, and health robotics. Across Paris, Grenoble, Lyon, and Nice,…

In today’s market, nearly every business is, in some way, a software business. Whether you’re building a digital product, automating internal systems, or analysing data for better decision-making,…

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a “nice-to-have” in life sciences. It’s rapidly becoming central to how new drugs are discovered, clinical trials are optimised, and patients are diagnosed and…

Cancer is one of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced. For decades, people have been asking the same question: will there ever be a cure? The truth is, there isn’t one single answer. But…

By James Trott. The short answer The wrong fractional hire will drain time, cash, and energy faster than you think. The right one can take you from Series A to Series B, open up new markets, or stop…

Europe’s SaMD (Software as a Medical Device) scene is booming. Startups are developing apps that flag early signs of disease, AI tools that optimise hospital workflows, and platforms that monitor…

In the past, breakthroughs in life sciences were often measured in decades. Today, thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), we’re seeing them in months. For biotechnology…

In the current tech climate, it can feel like every product pitch, investor deck, and job description has one thing in common: Artificial Intelligence. AI is the buzzword of the decade, promising to…

In today’s market, startup and scaleup leaders face a tough hiring climate. Budgets are tighter. Timelines are shorter. Expectations are higher. But the demand for great talent hasn’t gone away—it’s…

Finding trusted talent partners at the earliest stages Founders of early-stage biotech companies face significant pressure when building their foundational teams – particularly those organisations…

In recent years, there’s been a quiet but powerful shift happening in the career choices of AI and ML professionals. High-performing engineers, data scientists, and machine learning experts from…

A leading biotech company based in Paris approached us with a critical need to fill four roles for Computational Chemists and Cheminformaticians. The client required candidates with expertise in…

At the crossroads of science and technology, a new era of collaboration is taking shape, one where data, AI, and machine learning are not just buzzwords, but essential tools driving real progress in…

Growth in the life sciences sector across Europe and North America remains strong, driven by increased venture funding and a surge of innovation within biotech. Over the last five years, there’s…

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are no longer future concepts in life sciences, they are here, changing the industry in real time. At Aspire Life Sciences, we’re seeing this…

Recruitment is one of the biggest challenges for startups and scale-ups, especially when financial resources fluctuate between funding rounds. Whether you’re at Series A or Series D, the ability to…

In today’s cutting-edge biotech and tech-bio landscape, technology is no longer just a supporting function – it’s the driving force behind breakthroughs. From artificial intelligence (AI)…

At Aspire Life Sciences, we understand that innovation thrives on the right talent. As trusted partners to life sciences companies and professionals, we help navigate the cutting-edge world of…

The medical robotics industry has seen unprecedented growth, advancing from the realms of science fiction into groundbreaking technologies that are revolutionising healthcare. With major players…

Making the leap from a scientist to an executive role in the life sciences is a journey that many professionals embark on, often driven by a desire to influence strategic decisions and lead…

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with VC firms and biotech founders, helping them navigate the complex landscape of life sciences recruitment. Today, I’d like to share some…

Clinical trials are the cornerstone of advancing medical research, ensuring new treatments are safe and effective. Recent technological advancements are transforming how we conduct, analyse, and…

In recent years, the field of machine learning has seen dramatic transformations, prompting a shift in what hiring managers seek when recruiting Machine Learning Engineers. Traditionally, candidates…

In my experience as a life science recruitment professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand how artificial intelligence has significantly impacted the sector, especially in the realm of drug discovery. AI…

I must say, I’m quite excited about the role of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in Drug Discovery. Throughout 2023, I had the opportunity to work with companies ranging from…

Novel drug modalities are revolutionising the field of healthcare, leading to exciting job opportunities for professionals with the right skills and qualifications. In this article, we will explore…

Deciding where to build your career in the pharmaceutical or biotech sector can feel like a high-stakes gamble. Between clinical trials going awry, regulatory upheavals, and funding uncertainties,…

Protein degradation is a dynamic field that has garnered substantial investment in recent years, with big pharma investing billions to form partnership agreements with individual companies. As a…

Cultural fit is more than just HR jargon in the life sciences sector. It’s the backbone of every successful recruitment strategy. As someone who’s seen firsthand the impact of cultural alignment, I…

As a life science recruitment professional, I have had the pleasure of witnessing Europe’s life sciences industry’s growth, while also navigating its unique challenges. One such challenge is…

As we move along 2023, it’s always exciting to take a moment and look ahead at what the year might bring for the biopharma and biotech industries. While we can never know for sure, there are some…

The world of clinical trials is constantly evolving, and with the rise of new technologies and innovative approaches, the demand for skilled staff has never been higher. As we move along 2023, it is…

Saudi Arabia, like many nations in the Arabian Peninsula, has been historically dependent on oil for its economic stability. However, with substantial revenues from fossil fuels, it is heavily…

Contract research organisations (CROs) are one of the most essential pillars of modern-day medicine and pharmacology. Contract research organisations have evolved from casual partnerships to…

When you’re looking for a job in an early-stage biotechnology company, it can feel like there are an infinite number of paths you could take. Where do you start? How do you know what company is…

Biotech start-ups are changing the face of healthcare. Biotech start-ups are often known as small companies with big ideas, as they focus on innovation and creativity to solve big problems in…

Brand-name drug makers are facing a wave of new competition from generics this summer and fall, with a host of new drugs preparing to launch in the U.S. and EU markets. Some of those launches will…

The science industry is a broad and expanding sector. It is estimated that there will be more than 1 million science jobs needed globally by 2024, so it’s worth making sure that you are prepared to…

Hiring seems to be getting more difficult as time goes on, doesn’t it? It’s a candidate’s market and competition for the best life sciences talent is high. The question is: why is it so difficult to…

It is well-known that Europe is a fast-growing region for both established and emerging markets. This is especially true for life sciences. However, we shouldn’t only be looking at Europe when it…

Brexit has created a divide between the UK and the rest of Europe and unless it can be resolved, it may cause a disruption to funding. Oxford, Cambridge, and London are the biggest research hubs in…