Hiring & Firing
Q3 layoffs were the lowest on record
27 companies cut 2,568 people, about 90% fewer than a year ago and the lowest quarter since BioSpace started tracking. New Jersey was hit hardest.
Source: 8 Oct →But clinical setbacks still cost jobs
Tango is cutting 14%, mostly research staff. EyePoint is halving its workforce, Foghorn is cutting 40%, and GSK plans 1,200+ cuts in Belgium.
Source: Oct →Manufacturing is hiring
GSK is putting $800M into biologics production in Pennsylvania, creating 300+ jobs.
Source: 12 Oct →Job Shortage or Applicant Surplus?
Both
Biopharma postings have risen for three quarters in a row, and biotech R&D postings were up 42% year on year in June.
Source: BioSpace →Recruiters are drowning
Applications per job have more than doubled since 2022, while recruiting teams are 55% smaller, according to Greenhouse. AI “apply to everything” tools are a big part of it.
Source: Greenhouse →Where candidates want to go
R&D is the top target for 49% of biopharma job seekers, followed by technology roles. Hard-to-fill roles are still regulatory, quality, AI/bioinformatics, and commercial leaders with real domain depth.
Source: BioSpace →What’s Working in TA
Decide within 3–5 days of the interview
Top-rated employers do; most miss it by a week or more. In a busy market, slow feedback loses your best candidate.
Source: Talent Board →Cut agency spend (yes, really)
Keep agencies for niche and leadership hires. For everything else: - pay referral bonuses within 30 days, not after probation - keep a warm pool of silver medallists from past searches - use AI screening to manage volume on high-applicant roles
Attract the top 1%
Put the salary range in the ad. Lead with the problem the hire will solve, not a list of duties. Have the hiring manager, not just TA, post the role on LinkedIn.
Employer Brand Spotlight
Moderna: Science Top Employer for the 12th year running
Rated on leadership and direction, innovation, research quality and a collaborative, data-driven culture. Scientists choose employers on the science. Show yours.
Source: 23 Oct →QP’s Take
Volume isn’t the problem. Signal is.
- Fewer layoffs means fewer strong people are on the market involuntarily. The best candidates aren't applying; they need to be approached.
- Across our life sciences desks, the hardest searches right now are hybrid roles that mix science, AI and commercial skills.
- For 2027 plans: For 2027 plans run inbound and referrals for volume roles, and budget targeted search for the handful of hires that will define your year.