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.
Questions about hiring in your team?
QP’s Talent Network shares what we’re seeing across hundreds of searches a year. Drop us a line.