How to address the talent gap in pharma and life sciences
Tracing the gap to where it begins
Amongst the pupils sitting in today’s classrooms could be the next generation’s equivalent of Nina Tandon – the biomedical engineer who co-founded the first company to grow human bones. If bright children like Nina aren’t encouraged to study STEM subjects at GCSE and beyond to degree level, the industry could miss out on countless medical breakthroughs. Life sciences and pharma companies must get behind government initiatives that give young people the confidence to study these subjects and pursue STEM careers because there’s every possibility that the next generation holds the answer to a cure for Parkinson’s disease or the next breakthrough in 3D printing.To address the skills gap at this level, the government, life sciences industry, NHS and education sector all must collaborate and ensure an adequate skills pipeline. Appealing to the younger generation may involve companies offering apprenticeships or other entry-level job opportunities. Within the biopharmaceutical industry, the number of undergraduate placements has climbed 17% in one year which paints a hopeful picture for the wider life sciences sector.
Employer brand
As well as targeting the future workforce, companies must refocus how they engage with active candidates. Employer branding is a term thrown around frequently but its potential to help attract job seekers should not be overlooked. By effectively communicating to candidates why the life sciences industry offers such a rewarding career, companies can access a wider pool of talent and attract people working in alternative industries.
Following a decade of change, it’s more important than ever for leaders to be open to hiring candidates from unconventional backgrounds and who don’t have the typical skillset they hire for. The focus should be on finding people who are adaptable and emotionally intelligent, two examples of the top skills employees need in 2021. Not only will this strategy help pharma and life sciences companies tackle the skills gap, but it addresses the need to have a more diverse workforce.
Bioinformatics and big data
The digital skills gap has received a lot of coverage in recent years and now there’s a growing concern for how the shortage is impacting the life sciences industry. Organisations are feeling the pressure to take their large data sets and use them to make better decisions, yet one in three life sciences companies admit that they’re yet to do so. But what can they do?Science Industry Partnership (SIP) revealed a tenfold increase in the demand for ‘big data’ professionals in five years. Big data and bioinformatics are playing a larger role in the success of the life sciences sector, so finding people both with knowledge of the industry and analytical reasoning will become a top priority. In response to the looming talent crisis, SIP has outlined a 2030 Skills Strategy with the aim of compiling evidence of the current skills in demand and those that are anticipated to emerge over the next decade. Life sciences and pharma companies need to take stock of this situation and assess how they can upskill existing employees to prevent the gap widening.
Cross-disciplinary talent
46% of CEOs agree that changes in customer behaviour are a major disruptive business trend for the market. As healthcare moves more towards a patient-centric model where the individual is more in control of their care, business leaders must evaluate whether their workforce has the cross-disciplinary talent to handle this change. When hiring sales representative, hiring managers should look for candidates who are both strong communicators and who have the analytical mind-set to be at the forefront of the digital revolution. How can they find this talent?In PwC’s 22nd Annual CEO Survey, 46% of respondents agreed that retrained and upskilling should be the top strategy to tackle a skills gap, compared to just 14% who believe in hiring new candidates from competitors. Poaching talent from different organisations will help companies narrow the gap in the short run, however, a more viable long-term solution is to invest in the current workforce.
Join us on our mission to help healthcare clients find better solutions for their patients
At IQVIA, we recognise that a talent gap prevents patients from receiving the care they need, so we only hire the best and invest in our colleagues. Our sales representatives, nurse educators and medical science liaisons are on hand to ensure that our healthcare clients have everything they need to prescribe the right products for their patients and receive the care they need. Join us and help our clients drive healthcare forward.Find out more about life at IQVIA
Did you know IQVIA has
56+ petabytes of unique data
including 1.2B+ non-identified patient records
Did you know IQVIA has
86,000+ employees
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Did you know IQVIA has
Countless development opportunities
for personal and professional growth
Did you know IQVIA has
Excellent work-life balance
and is committed to this kind of culture
Did you know IQVIA has
1,900+ epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Did you know IQVIA cares about
Health and Wellbeing
for all its employees
Did you know IQVIA has
4,600 data scientists
including statisticians and analytics developers
Did you know IQVIA has
Excellent work-life balance
and is committed to this kind of culture
Did you know IQVIA has
86,000+ employees
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Did you know IQVIA has
4,600 data scientists
including statisticians and analytics developers
Did you know IQVIA has
56+ petabytes of unique data
including 1.2B+ non-identified patient records
Did you know IQVIA cares about
Health and Wellbeing
for all its employees
Did you know IQVIA has
Countless development opportunities
for personal and professional growth
Did you know IQVIA has
1,900+ epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Related jobs
Salary:
Location:
Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Santa Fe
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Los Angeles
Dallas
Chicago
Denver
Santa Fe
Description
Medical Science Liaison The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) will deliver scientific training to HCPs and Media regarding current and future adjunctive therapies and skincare solutions. The MSL will supp
Reference
R1377333
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Martin HannaAuthor
Martin HannaSalary:
Location:
Leeds
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Sales Specialists
Location
Leeds
Description
Have you recently graduated and are looking for a fulfilling career within the healthcare industry?IQVIA are recruiting a Service Development Executive / Graduate Account Manager to join our team in t
Reference
R1416230
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Sara JacksonAuthor
Sara JacksonSalary:
Location:
Boston, Chicago, Raleigh, Houston
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Boston
Houston
Chicago
Raleigh
Description
We excited to announce we are looking for a National Director of Medical Science Liaisons, to lead a national team of MSLs on behalf of client, ITF Therapeutics. The MSL Director will oversee a nati
Reference
R1416001
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Martin HannaAuthor
Martin HannaSalary:
Location:
Houston, Dallas
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Dallas
Houston
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415851
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Phoenix, Los Angeles
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415852
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Chicago, Detroit
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Chicago
Detroit
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415850
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Atlanta, Raleigh
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Atlanta
Raleigh
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415849
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Philadelphia, Boston, New York
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Philadelphia
Boston
New York
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415848
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Seattle, SanFrancisco
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Seattle
SanFrancisco
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415853
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Charlotte, Jacksonville, Orlando
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Inside Sales
Location
Jacksonville
Orlando
Charlotte
Description
As the only global provider of commercial solutions, IQVIA understands what it takes to deliver nationally and internationally. Our teams help biopharma, medical device and diagnostic companies get t
Reference
R1414851
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Christine CaseyAuthor
Christine CaseyIQVIA has been behind my development to become a MSL. The contracts that I have worked on have allowed me to push clinical projects with a recent opportunity to manage a pilot scheme integrating e-detailing into an established field based team. The result was an increase in sales.
Since joining IQVIA I have had unrivalled support and development from my manager to enable me to aspire to move into secondary care. I feel like my career is strongly supported by my manager in order to maximise my potential.
A quick note to say thank you for your time this morning discussing my future career options. As you know I was feeling very conflicted about the right decision. Discussing the role with you gave me chance to clarify what is important to me.
Once again I cannot thank you enough for not only approaching me with this opportunity but also for all the support you’ve given me along the way!
Just following on from the amazing news I got yesterday I wanted to say a really special thank you for all the help and support you have provided throughout the entire recruitment process.
IQVIA has been behind my development to become a MSL. The contracts that I have worked on have allowed me to push clinical projects with a recent opportunity to manage a pilot scheme integrating e-detailing into an established field based team. The result was an increase in sales.
IQVIA Related insights
Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
19/03/2024
Summary
Are you wondering if medical sales is a good career? All over the world, the medical and pharmaceutical sectors are booming, and nowhere more so than in the UK. With a thriving ecosystem of research
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
ArticlePublished
05/02/2024
Summary
Lucy Manning sits in our clinical trials team, but that’s not where her career started at IQVIA. It all began at the back end of 2022 when Lucy took on a fixed-term contract as a Project Support Coo
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
02/02/2024
Summary
Does the idea of being a medical sales rep excite you? This crucial position lets you make connections with companies and practitioners in the medical field. It’s also a growing and dynamic industry.
Content Type
ArticlePublished
04/01/2024
Summary
Are you ready to step into a career that's both rewarding and accessible? Becoming a phlebotomist could be your ticket into the thriving world of healthcare. It's not just about drawing blood; it's ab
Teaser
MedicalContent Type
ArticlePublished
20/11/2023
Summary
In the tapestry of healthcare, where expertise meets innovation, individuals like Marissa, a Senior Nurse Advisor at IQVIA, play a pivotal role. Marissa has not only learned from challenges but has e
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
13/11/2023
Summary
A guide to excelling in Key Account Manager jobs in healthcare In the dynamic landscape of the healthcare industry, the role of a Key Account Manager (KAM) is pivotal. Experienced account managers con
Teaser
Medical Affairs & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
10/11/2023
Summary
The role of medical science liaisons has never been more pivotal. Why? As catalysts for change and advocates of cutting-edge advancements, these professionals play a crucial role in fostering collab
Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
25/10/2023
Summary
In an industry where cutting-edge innovations and life-changing treatments are introduced every day, the role of ethics in medical device sales is critical. Bridging the gap between groundbreaking m
Teaser
Clinical OperationsContent Type
ArticlePublished
06/10/2023
Summary
Need some guidance on how to get a job in clinical research?Clinical research is a dynamic and rewarding field that transcends borders, offering professionals worldwide the chance to contribute to m
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
06/10/2023
Summary
In the dynamic and competitive world of medical sales, the path to success is not just about knowing your products or having an impressive CV. Instead, amongst key skills, it's often the abili
Content Type
ArticlePublished
31/08/2023
Summary
Are you one of the 788,638 registered general nurses in the UK? Are you looking for a new challenge, with opportunities to grow and make a real impact in the world of healthcare? A unique and transf
Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
24/08/2023
Summary
In the dynamic landscape of global healthcare, staying abreast of emerging trends is not just an option—it's a strategic imperative for Key Account Managers (KAMs) who strive to excel in their roles.
Recently viewed jobs