Life Science Companies Want More Digital-Savvy Employees

Britain could face a slowdown in life science development, as there is a shortage of employees who are tech-savvy and have the appropriate digital skills. 

As well as impacting research and development (R&D), this could also have an effect on life science marketing, as candidates are not able to get to grips with the latest digital promotional strategies. 

According to the June 2023 Public First report, which was commissioned by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), having digital and data skills was one of the most important priorities for companies in the sector. 

Comments from Martin Anderson, founding director of Carrot Recruitment, compound these findings. 

He told Pharmaceutical Technology that companies are increasingly hoping to fill healthcare and medical communications roles with those who have relevant digital skills. 

“Instead of outsourcing digital roles, like UX designers and web designers, they’re doing it in-house,” Mr Anderson remarked. 

Additionally, there is growing demand for those experienced in artificial intelligence (AI) in the life science sector. 

GlobalData, which is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology, revealed there was a 407 per cent increase in pharmaceutical generative AI postings between April and July 2023, demonstrating the speed at which this area is growing in the industry. 

However, candidates are likely to be lacking in the appropriate skills, as there was a drop in the number of graduates being recruited or trained during the pandemic. 

The economic crisis has also created a “lacuna in terms of the mid-level skillset”, as the sector has not been able to advance digital training among employees. 

The UK might also be falling behind in terms of R&D, thanks to a delay in joining the Horizon Europe programme, which sees the continent’s top research institutes working together, due to Brexit.