Top 5 most in-demand Life Sciences Jobs in Europe
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 take advantage of this growing industry. More and more companies are seeking scientists to work on a range of different projects, which has resulted in a growing number of available jobs. These roles vary greatly and can be found in universities, private research facilities, and within the pharmaceutical industry itself. In this article, we have highlighted some of the most popular scientist job roles currently available.
Biological Technicians
In the life science industry, biological technicians are in high demand. The job outlook for this position will increase by at least 5% and will generate 4300 more jobs in the coming years.
The main work of biological technicians is to help medical and natural scientists in the laboratories to fulfil tests and experiments, development of new medicine, surgeries, or rehabilitation techniques. The technicians will often carry out experiments, collect and analyse data and prepare reports according to a report from the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS).
Regardless of the environment, a biological science laboratory technician must be able to pay attention to detail and use scientific methods to further human understanding. The technicians must be able to follow research directions and assist researchers with designing and carrying out experiments. Due to the technical and scientific nature of these types of positions, most employers usually require a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, such as chemistry or animal sciences. They should also have good computer skills and knowledge about laboratory procedures, according to the BLS.
Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations according to BLS. About 11,800 openings for biological technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labour force, such as to retire. The average salary for a Biological Science Laboratory Technician is €62,000 in Germany and €45,180 in the Netherlands.
Computational biologists
Computational biologists develop and apply data analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modelling, and computational simulation methods for studying biological, social, and behavioural systems. They also work with computers to simulate biological processes, create animations of biological or social phenomena and analyse the structure of data to gain insights into living organisms.
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 8% and produce 10,600 job opportunities across Europe.
Computational biologists work in a variety of industries, including government and commercial companies, as post-secondary teachers, or as computer and information research scientists. In academia, they might work as a biology professor. In contrast, in computer and information research scientists, computational biologists may work with pharmaceutical companies, software companies, and biotechnology companies for research and development projects. In government, computational biologists may be hired in various health and research institutes to analyse vast quantities of research data. Computational biologists need a PhD. Relevant work also includes a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology and other appropriate fields.
The national average salary for a Computational Biologist is £40,445 in the United Kingdom, €65,544 in Belgium and the average salary for a Biological Technician is €82,518 in the Netherlands.
Scientist – Analytical development and QC
Analytical development and QC (or ADQC) are a role that you may not have heard of before, but it’s becoming increasingly important as the pharmaceutical industry expands. Thanks to a steady demand for science in general, the demand for Quality Control chemists with the right skills is growing year after year. The latest report from the Bureau of Labour Statistics forecasts job growth of 4% between 2018 and 2028, producing 3,500 job opportunities in Europe. So, what exactly does this job entail?
- Job description: Senior scientists in ADQC roles are responsible for developing new tests and methods, managing their team, and ensuring that all processes are carried out to a high standard. They also act as quality control experts on drug development teams.
- Key skills required: To be successful in this role, you need excellent communication skills as well as scientific knowledge gained through experience. You’ll need to be able to work well within a team to set goals, delegate tasks when appropriate, and provide regular updates on progress made by your project team members.
- Typical career path: After completing an undergraduate degree (at least one-year full-time), many graduates go on to complete further training courses such as MSc or PhDs in biological science specializing in biochemistry before entering a career path like this one where they can apply their expertise directly through working on specific projects within larger companies such as Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NYSE:NVS), Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) or Merck & Co Inc(NYSE:MRK).
The average quality control chemist’s gross salary in Europe is 50.435 € or an equivalent hourly rate of 24 €. In addition, they earn an average bonus of 731 €. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Europe. An entry-level quality control chemist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 37.969 €. On the other end, a senior-level quality control chemist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 60.750 €.
Clinical studies and preclinical studies
In terms of salary, senior scientist roles are on par with the other careers listed here. However, they’re also the most competitive and well-paid roles. If you want to earn more than most other scientists, this is where you need to be. The job market for clinical researchers is going to be a buyer’s market in the next 10 years and you can expect a very cordial response from any decent organization you send your CV to. The career path growth rate for clinical research associates is projected to be stronger than the average job, at 36.4% from 2012 to 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Preclinical researchers are responsible for conducting studies in the pre-market phase of a drug’s development. This means they’ll carry out tests on animals or cells before human clinical trials can begin. They often work in teams alongside clinical researchers and veterinarians who help them study diseases like cancer or neurological disorders through animal models.
As well as being responsible for running tests themselves, these scientists will develop protocols for carrying out experiments on animals so that results can be accurately reproduced by others across different institutions worldwide – something which requires extensive knowledge about current literature within their field as well as an understanding about how different approaches could influence results positively or negatively depending on what types of questions a researcher might want to be answered from their research design choices (e.g., whether they want accurate data about how much weight rats lose after taking various doses over time).
The estimated total pay for a Clinical studies Scientist is €72,000 per year in the Netherlands, with an average salary of €66,000 per year. In addition, they earn an average bonus of 1.471 €. And €60,852 annually in Germany, and the estimated salary for a Clinical Scientist is €55,343 per year in the France area.
Regulatory affairs
Regulatory affair is a key function for pharmaceutical companies and other regulated industries. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that your company complies with all regulations and laws that affect its products on a global scale. This includes things like ensuring that the product is safe to use, that it meets all legal requirements, and that any necessary approvals are in place before it can be launched into the market.
In 2016, the regulatory market experienced a 42 percent increase in job listings, and the Bureau of Labour Statistics estimates the field will continue to grow at an average rate of eight percent until 2026. As new and developing industries become increasingly regulated, the demand for additional and specialized regulatory expertise will increase.
Skills needed: You must have strong communication skills as you will need to liaise with government agencies around Europe and beyond. You should also be confident in your ability to gather information from various sources including customers and suppliers, as well as having great attention to detail when working with complex processes such as regulatory compliance.
Salary: The average salary of a senior scientist – in regulatory affairs in Europe is €51k (or £45k). However, there’s some variation depending on where you work – i.e., if your company has its headquarters based in Switzerland then this could affect what salary bracket, they fall under when compared with other European countries such as Germany or France where salaries tend not to vary much between companies located within these two nations. To be specific total pay for a Regulatory Affairs Specialist is €63,291 per year in the German area, with an average salary of €55,584 per year, and the gross salary in the Netherlands is € 60,320.
Life science is a broad and expanding industry
There are many different disciplines within the life sciences, so your dream job might be in molecular biology or neuroscience. You could also choose to focus on chemical engineering or data science if you prefer working with numbers. Life sciences is a growing industry, which means that it will always offer opportunities for new graduates who want to work in this dynamic field. The diversity of this industry means you can find work that suits your personal interests and skills – whether that’s researching new medicines or developing software for genome sequencing platforms. The growth of the life sciences means there are plenty of opportunities for scientists who want to contribute their expertise and knowledge by working in research labs alongside other specialists from around Europe and beyond!
Aspire is a specialized agency that aligns top talent from Europe and the Middle East with top employers and institutions in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. We advise our clients on how to create a competitive advantage through their hiring and retention of scientific talent. We invite this talented pool of professionals to benefit from our diverse network of employers, institutions, and research centres in Great Britain, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Through our consultation services or pioneering professional recruitment, we offer you personalized support for your job search. Start your journey with Aspire today.
