Ireland is a growing hub for the pharmaceutical industry. Companies that spent 2023 adjusting to the post-Covid reality are expected to spend this year looking towards growth and will invest in facilities and expand teams across the country.
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Ireland has been a growing hub for the pharmaceutical industry over the past number of years.
Over 24 of the world’s top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have facilities in Ireland, making it a European hub for the life science industry. Moreover, 12% of all Irish merger and acquisition deals in 2022 were made by pharmaceutical companies.
Ireland's position as a destination of choice for the pharmaceutical sector is reinforced by the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) focus on life sciences, substantial investment in indigenous businesses, and a world-class STEM educational system.
The global uncertainty in 2023 saw life science companies focused on embedding and integrating more lean initiatives across teams. They also implemented right-sizing for bloated teams and shifted away from less in-demand products. This uncertainty led to a quieter talent market, especially in comparison to the previous two years. This change isn't surprising when we consider the substantial market growth experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A key theme in 2023 was 'doing more with less'. This trend isn't expected to continue in the long term and 2024 already has a bright outlook for the pharmaceutical talent market.
Anticipated growth in the pharmaceutical industry in 2024 has already been marked by substantial job announcements in the sector.
Roles such as Qualified Persons (QPs) and positions in regulatory affairs continue to be highly sought after, and we expect a sustained demand for both contractor and permanent staff.
The increasing demand for packaging roles is of interest, especially for candidates with experience in sustainable packaging design. While this role has been more prevalent in the food and drink industry in recent years, it is now becoming a staple within the pharmaceutical sector.
Additionally, medical affairs positions have gained prominence in recent years, driven by a shift of functions to Ireland due to Brexit.
Currently, in-demand roles include:
Quality control
Quality assurance
Validation
Commissioning
Packaging-related functions
Many traditional pharmaceutical roles require a university degree. However, there is a shift towards talent with more technology-driven skills.
For example, by 2026, AI-based discovery will overtake traditional bench-based research. In 2020, there were no drugs created by AI in the clinical phase. By 2022, the number of drugs created by AI leapt to 18. The exponential growth of AI in all aspects of pharmaceuticals will drive demand for people with tech and scientific backgrounds.
In-demand qualifications include:
For undergraduates:
The demand for microbiologists is higher than the supply.
Chemistry continues to have a steady high demand.
Chemical Engineering qualifications have been increasing in demand.
At postgraduate level:
QP qualifications, regulatory affairs qualifications, and management-related qualifications are in demand.
There is an increased need for people in research, with a growing demand for candidates with PhDs in chemistry and biochemistry.
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology is leveraged in life sciences, we anticipate an increased demand for candidates who possess a blend of scientific and technical education and expertise.
Benchmark salaries across different locations, industries, and areas of expertise
Reach out to Cpl's Life Science Recruitment team for a consultation on how we can help you meet your talent needs for 2024 and beyond.