Hiring Strategies for Life Science Talent Retention

ClinLab Solutions Group • December 11, 2015

Share this article

Hiring excellent and experienced Biotech employees is key to success in 2016, but equally important is retaining these critical human resource assets beyond the first year. Some studies predict that as many as 51% of biotech professionals will seek new employment, a trend that is prevalent not only in large biotech firms but even small labs and non-profit scientific programs.


WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RETAIN TOP LIFE SCIENCES TALENT?

Retention of biotech employees and strong work enagement can be achieved by evaluating several aspects.


Biotech companies are on a hiring spree, budgeting for higher salary increases, and enabling greater values for employee equity through the rising of stock prices. Companies are finding these practices are having a positive impact on employee retention. To stay ahead of the competition, biotech companies are aggressively hiring and increasing cash positions and salary budgets at a higher rate compared to all life sciences companies. Salary, benefits, and assignments should be competitive with other firms in the area as well.


Looking for Biotech, Clinical Research, Pharmaceutical – let us help!


Additionally, each company has its own characteristics and values so surveys and open discussions can be insightful into how employees feel about their professional responsibilities. Often biotech professionals surveyed are very clear on what their employers can do to impact employee engagement and improve retention. (Learn how to set up a professional in-house survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/employee-surveys/)


HIRING FOR “SOFT SKILLS” IN BIOTECH

The culture of the workplace is of prime importance in the retention of employees. Managers and immediate supervisors need to be perceptive and concerned about each employee as well as demonstrating clear leadership qualities.


Professionals want to be valued for their contributions and respected for their opinions. Periodic training and hiring talent with “soft” supervisory skills and strong EQ characteristics (Emotional Intelligence Quotient) for middle level management is strongly advised. It is important to hire and retain employees that feel like they belong to the company and share in the company’s goals.


Biotech companies can retain their excellent professionals with attention to both the practical details and the personal aspects.


Recent Posts

Staffing firm promo with lab scientists and office team; text reads “Specialized staffing for every stage of development”
By ClinLab Solutions Group August 14, 2025
In the life sciences, every stage from early research to clinical trials and post-approval monitoring runs on a tight schedule. Teams are expected to hit critical milestones while navigating a maze of complex regulations. The challenge is finding specialized talent quickly enough to keep studies moving. A vacant role or a poor hire can cause […] The post How Specialized Staffing Keeps Preclinical, Clinical, and Post-Approval Work on Track appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Split portrait of a doctor in glasses and a white coat, half casual and half formal suit with stethoscope
By ClinLab Solutions Group August 7, 2025
Drawn to medicine, but not the day-to-day of patient care? Holding an MD opens doors far beyond the exam room. In today’s health-driven economy, companies across industries—from biotech to health tech, pharma, legal, and consulting—are actively seeking professionals with deep medical expertise. An MD isn’t just a credential; it’s a strategic advantage. Your training equips […] The post 5 Alternative Careers for MDs appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Scientist in a white lab coat taking notes beside a microscope and blue lab glassware
By ClinLab Solutions Group July 30, 2025
How Long Do Scientists Stay in a Job in 2025, and What Does It Mean for Hiring Managers? Science professionals are staying in jobs for shorter periods than ever before. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, median tenure for science roles is down to 3.7 years—and often lower in fast-moving sectors […] The post How Long Scientists Stay in a Job in 2025, and What It Means for Hiring Managers appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Waterfront city skyline with tall buildings, blue water, and a stone promenade under a cloudy sky
By ClinLab Solutions Group July 16, 2025
Is Your Science Career Stuck? Explore the Pros and Cons of Moving to a Biotech Hub for Lab Professionals, Researchers, and Scientists As a science staffing firm, we talk to candidates every day who ask: Should I move to grow my career in science? It’s a big decision—and the right answer depends on your goals, […] The post Should You Relocate to a Science Hub? appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Blue infographic titled “Understanding the Scientific Hiring Cycle” with a four-part circular timeline.
By ClinLab Solutions Group July 9, 2025
Summer might feel like the slow season—vacation mode kicks in, schools are out, and the office AC becomes your best friend—but for job seekers in scientific roles, the warmer months hold strategic opportunities. While the U.S. hiring cycle does have its seasonal rhythms, summer can be a surprisingly smart time to be on the job […] The post What to Expect When Job Hunting This Summer appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Scientist in lab coat and mask holding an orange liquid flask with a test tube nearby
By ClinLab Solutions Group July 2, 2025
When life science companies need to scale their teams quickly and reliably, they can’t afford to rely on generalist staffing firms. That’s why hundreds of biotech, pharmaceutical, and diagnostics companies across the U.S. turn to ClinLab Staffing—a firm built exclusively for the scientific community. A Specialized Partner in Life Science Talent ClinLab Staffing is not […] The post Why ClinLab Staffing is a Top Choice for Life Science Staffing in the U.S. appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Gloved lab worker holding a sign: “Why specialized staffing outperforms generalists in the life sciences industry.”
By ClinLab Solutions Group June 25, 2025
At ClinLab Staffing, we’ve spent the past two decades embedded in one of the most demanding and fast-paced sectors of the global economy: the life sciences. From startup biotechs in Cambridge to Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies nationwide, our clients all face the same challenge—finding and retaining highly specialized talent that can deliver under pressure. Increasingly, […] The post Specialized Staffing Outperforms Generalists in the Life Sciences Industry appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Scientist in a lab holding two test tubes, looking concerned, with blue and orange liquids on the table
By ClinLab Solutions Group June 20, 2025
The Hidden Costs of a Bad Science Hire—And How ClinLab Helps You Avoid Them In scientific research, pharmaceuticals, and biotech, making the right hire isn’t just important—it’s critical. The wrong hire doesn’t just affect productivity; it can jeopardize project timelines, compromise data integrity, and cost far more than just salary. At ClinLab Staffing, we specialize […] The post The Hidden Costs of a Bad Science Hire appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Medical team gathered around a laptop in a clinical setting, discussing a document with focused expressions
By ClinLab Solutions Group June 12, 2025
In clinical research, trial timelines are everything. A single staffing gap—whether it’s a missing CRA or a delayed project manager—can derail months of planning, costing sponsors money, slowing regulatory progress, and pushing critical therapies farther from the patients who need them. If you’re running or scaling a Clinical Research Organization (CRO), building a team that’s […] The post Clinical Trial Staffing: How to Build a Resilient CRO Team appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Silhouetted people in a modern lobby at sunset, with bright reflections on the polished floor.
By ClinLab Solutions Group June 4, 2025
June 2025 The hiring landscape in life sciences is evolving, and both employers and job seekers need to adapt. With a growing reliance on virtual interviews, skills-based assessments, and AI-driven screening, the hiring process is becoming more efficient—but face-to-face connections still play a vital role. Companies are balancing speed and precision when selecting candidates, while […] The post Job Interviews Are Evolving – What to Expect appeared first on ClinLab Solutions Group.
Show More