Talent & Skills in Life Science, competencies shaping the next era

Life Science has always been an industry where science meets societal impact but right now, something deeper than ordinary progress is taking place. We are in the midst of a competence shift that is redefining how careers are built, how companies recruit, and how talent is developed.

Until recently, much of the required expertise was about being a specialist within a clearly defined field: analytical chemistry, regulatory affairs, clinical trials, or manufacturing. Today, there is a growing demand for hybrid profiles; professionals who can move seamlessly between science, data, technology, and business.

This shift is being driven by several parallel forces:

• AI and data are transforming the entire value chain
  From drug discovery to clinical development and quality work, advanced data analytics and AI models are being used more extensively than ever before. This creates a need for professionals who not only understand biology but can also interpret algorithms, models, and data-driven decisions.
  
  
• Regulatory requirements are becoming more technical and dynamic
  The transition from traditional CSV (Computer System Validation) to CSA (Computer Software Assurance) represents a more risk-based and agile approach. This calls for new ways of thinking about quality and new competencies within QA, IT, and data integrity.
  
  
• Real-world evidence and digital health are growing rapidly
  Decisions in healthcare and drug development are increasingly based on data from real patients and digital tools. This makes analytical skills and cross-functional collaboration more critical than ever.

In the middle of this transformation, questions about talent and careers take center stage. How do you build an attractive career in an industry that is changing so quickly? And how should employers rethink recruitment?

The answer is less about perfect CVs and more about potential, learning ability, creativity and curiosity.

Companies that will succeed in the future are those that:

• dare to hire for future capability, not just current fit
• invest in continuous learning and skills development
• build stronger bridges between academia and industry

At the same time, human skills are becoming increasingly important: collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate complex environments where many disciplines intersect.

At its core, Life Science is about improving people’s lives. To succeed in that mission, we need not only groundbreaking research, but we also need a new perspective on talent, competencies, and careers.

 The question we should all be asking is:

👉 How are we preparing today and tomorrow’s talent for this future?