Labor market

Limited opportunities and burnout are just two reasons biopharma professionals stop looking for work, with some pivoting away from the industry or turning to consulting. Two career coaches discuss why ending a job hunt is harmful and what to do instead.

The talent pool not keeping pace with increased outsourcing demand is just one reason CDMOs have trouble filling roles, according to a search expert. He also told BioSpace who is most in demand and how candidates can stand out from the competition.

After barely growing in 2024, biopharma employment in Massachusetts dropped 3.1% last year. R&D jobs dipped even more, by 3.9%. Biomanufacturing, however, went up.

Job postings increase and competition dips, according to BioSpace data.

With the stakes for successful launches high, and demand for commercial roles increasing, biopharmas must thoughtfully approach not only hiring but also retention. During a BioSpace webinar, experienced commercial leaders and a recruiter discussed the challenges employers face and how to tackle them.

Takeda’s cuts will go the deepest, affecting over 4,700 employees. Layoffs tied to M&A activity include BioNTech letting go of around 800 people at CureVac.

In this bonus episode, BioSpace Managing Editor Jef Akst and Angela Gabriel, content manager, life sciences careers, look at the Q2 job market and discuss encouraging signs for job seekers.

Gain the latest insights into the biopharma hiring landscape with BioSpace’s Biopharma Job Market Report Q2 2026. Explore the trends shaping talent acquisition, from rising job postings and sustained R&D hiring to the market activity signaling stronger hiring demand ahead.

Who is the highest paid CEO in all of pharma? In this special edition, BioSpace examines top paid CEOs and their pay packages.

Having stuck with local production in the years when offshoring to lower-cost locations was in fashion, Aquestive’s CEO is well placed to explain what the recent reshoring drive means for manufacturers.