Bioengineering & Medical Engineering

Bioengineering & Medical Engineering

EPM Scientific:

Specialist Talent Partner in Bioengineering & Medical Engineering Recruitment

Medical engineering focuses on applying the principles of engineering to the biological world with an aim to prevent and fight disease and enhance our health. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 5% growth rate in employment for biomedical engineers between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for most occupations. Filling the growing number of positions in this constantly evolving sector can be a long, challenging process. Turn to EPM Scientific, a trusted talent partner of leading companies and promising startups in the life sciences industry. We will find the best candidates and deliver them when your company needs them.

How we can help

EPM Scientific can source and deliver the best bioengineering, medical and life sciences engineering talent. We place the best candidates quickly when you need individuals or teams to run projects, head departments, or otherwise drive your company goals. Investing in top-class technologies and the ongoing development of our talent experts enables us to meet our clients’ needs and contributes to a decade-long reputation for excellence.

Bioengineering and medical engineering talent solutions

EPM Scientific can connect you with sought-after talent and new career opportunities. Our global hubs offer permanent, contract, and multi-hire solutions bespoke to your needs. We will engage with you prior to the talent-sourcing process to ensure we deliver the best candidates. Take advantage of our tailored retained and contingent services and our extensive network of contractors and interim managers, whether you need individuals or teams for time-critical or long-term roles.

EPM Scientific is Phaidon International’s specialist life sciences brand. Our talent sourcing expertise, high-level account management, and value creation services such as sector-specific deep dives and salary guidance, means we can help you source the right candidates for jobs in the medical and life sciences engineering field.

​

If you're a candidate, please register your CV and get discovered for all relevant roles.

Register your CV
or

​If you're a client looking for the best talent, please Register your vacancy or Request a call back.

Register your vacancy
or
Request a call back

​

Benefits of working with us

​

Experience

We have over a decade’s worth of experience as a leading talent partner in Life Sciences & Pharma.

Network

A vast, global network of the best, in-demand professionals, working with the world’s largest Life Sciences institutions, to take drugs, devices and therapeutic applications through from conception to completion.

Knowledge

Our award-winning talent specialists offer bespoke, tailored guidance on the latest hiring trends and industry news to help you achieve your goals.

​

Looking to hire?

​

Engineering Jobs

Medical Engineering offers an array of specialties, such as biomaterials, biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, rehabilitation and systems physiology, and clinical engineering. Among the top roles we help clients fill are Senior Engineers, Senior Software Engineers, and Biomaterials Developers.

Head of Automation

We are currently working with a leading Medical Technology firm looking for an experienced Head of Automation to lead the SCADA team. As part of a growing organization, you will play a key role in the further expansion of the team's automation expertise. You will be responsible for: leading and mentoring the team. Managing project timelines, resource allocation and delivery. Overseeing the team's budget, including forecasting. Creating and maintaining relevant working processes and documents for SCADA engineering and maintaining process interfaces. Fostering a collaborative and quality-focused team culture that encourages continuous improvement and professional growth. effectively collaborating with internal teams and departments, clients and external stakeholders. Ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining professional documentation. An ideal candidate should have the following qualifications: Tertiary Educations in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other relevant engineering fields. 15+ years of industry experience, including 10 years in a leadership and people management role. Strong SCADA knowledge. Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization. Fluency in English and German. What we offer: Competitive compensation. Opportunity to develop a team and strategically influence its direction. Additional benefits and great work-life balance. If this opportunity interests you, please apply! NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Negotiable
Basel
Apply

Head of Automation

We are currently working with a leading Medical Technology firm looking for an experienced Head of Automation to lead the SCADA team. As part of a growing organization, you will play a key role in the further expansion of the team's automation expertise. You will be responsible for: leading and mentoring the team. Managing project timelines, resource allocation and delivery. Overseeing the team's budget, including forecasting. Creating and maintaining relevant working processes and documents for SCADA engineering and maintaining process interfaces. Fostering a collaborative and quality-focused team culture that encourages continuous improvement and professional growth. effectively collaborating with internal teams and departments, clients and external stakeholders. Ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining professional documentation. An ideal candidate should have the following qualifications: Tertiary Educations in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other relevant engineering fields. 15+ years of industry experience, including 10 years in a leadership and people management role. Strong SCADA knowledge. Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization. Fluency in English and German. What we offer: Competitive compensation. Opportunity to develop a team and strategically influence its direction. Additional benefits and great work-life balance. If this opportunity interests you, please apply! NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Negotiable
Canton of Basel-City
Apply

Automation Director

We are currently working with a leading Medical Technology firm looking for a highly experienced Director of Automation to lead the global Automation team. As part of a growing organization, you will play a key role in influencing the strategic direction of the business unit. You will be responsible for: Overseeing the architecture, design, and implementation of high-quality technological solutions for clients in the pharmaceutical sector. Managing project timelines, resource allocation and delivery. Lead a global, cross-functional team, drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business unit, foster collaboration and innovation. Implementing efficient structures, processes and systems to take the team to the next level of growth. Ensuring regulatory compliance. Ensure and improve the reliability and scalability of the company's technological platforms and solutions. An ideal candidate should have the following qualifications: Tertiary Education in computer science, electrical engineering, or other relevant engineering fields. 20+ years of industry experience, including a minimum of 10 years in a leadership and people management role. Strong Automation knowledge and understanding of regulated environments. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Fluency in English and German. What we offer: Competitive compensation. Opportunity to further develop a global team and strategically influence its direction. Additional benefits and great work-life balance. If this opportunity interests you, please apply! NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Negotiable
Basel
Apply

Process Development Associate

Company Overview: Join a leading medical technology company that develops innovative cellular products. We are seeking a dedicated Process Development Associate to contribute to the development and manufacturing solutions. Key Responsibilities: Conduct mid and full scale Bioreactor processes within defined schedule Plan, coordinate and execute Bioreactor experiments Support technical transfer of manufacturing process to CMO Conduct cell culture, cell maintenance/storage within SOPs Ensure work environment meets required health and safety standards Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a Biochemical/Biological related field, Chemical Engineering, or Process Engineering. Minimum of 5 years of experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industries with a focus on drug product manufacturing. 4-5 years experience in cell biology/ Cell Therapy Results-oriented and outcomes-driven. Strong project management skills. Click the link below to apply.

Negotiable
Singapore
Apply

Engineering Director

We are currently working with a leading Medical Technology firm looking for a highly experienced Director of Automation to lead the global Automation team. As part of a growing organization, you will play a key role in influencing the strategic direction of the business unit. You will be responsible for: Overseeing the architecture, design, and implementation of high-quality technological solutions for clients in the pharmaceutical sector. Managing project timelines, resource allocation and delivery. Lead a global, cross-functional team, drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business unit, foster collaboration and innovation. Implementing efficient structures, processes and systems to take the team to the next level of growth. Ensuring regulatory compliance. Ensure and improve the reliability and scalability of the company's technological platforms and solutions. An ideal candidate should have the following qualifications: Tertiary Education in computer science, electrical engineering, or other relevant engineering fields. 20+ years of industry experience, including a minimum of 10 years in a leadership and people management role. Strong Automation knowledge and understanding of regulated environments. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Fluency in English and German. What we offer: Competitive compensation. Opportunity to further develop a global team and strategically influence its direction. Additional benefits and great work-life balance. If this opportunity interests you, please apply! NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Negotiable
Canton of Basel-City
Apply

Head of Automation

We are currently working with a leading Medical Technology firm looking for an experienced Head of Automation to lead the SCADA team. As part of a growing organization, you will play a key role in the further expansion of the team's automation expertise. You will be responsible for: leading and mentoring the team. Managing project timelines, resource allocation and delivery. Overseeing the team's budget, including forecasting. Creating and maintaining relevant working processes and documents for SCADA engineering and maintaining process interfaces. Fostering a collaborative and quality-focused team culture that encourages continuous improvement and professional growth. effectively collaborating with internal teams and departments, clients and external stakeholders. Ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining professional documentation. An ideal candidate should have the following qualifications: Tertiary Educations in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other relevant engineering fields. 15+ years of industry experience, including 10 years in a leadership and people management role. Strong SCADA knowledge. Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization. Fluency in English and German. What we offer: Competitive compensation. Opportunity to develop a team and strategically influence its direction. Additional benefits and great work-life balance. If this opportunity interests you, please apply! NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Negotiable
Basel
Apply

CSV Engineer

We are seeking a skilled CSV Engineer to join our team on a 6-month initial contract in Basel. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in Computer System Validation (CSV) and Automated systems within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. This role involves leading validation projects and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage CSV projects for IT and GMP operations applications and systems. Configure and initially validate software systems. Validate and integrate SCADA - PLC systems, including hardware and software updates. Author and standardize procedures for CSV, data migration, and lifecycle management. Conduct end-to-end data integrity assessments and standardize change management processes. Ensure continuous quality assurance of corporate systems and compliance with regulatory standards. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. 5+ years of experience in CSV within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Strong knowledge of SCADA and PLC systems. Experience in Quality Assurance within CSV is a plus. Proven track record of leading validation projects and managing IT infrastructure. Excellent technical writing skills and experience authoring validation documentation. Familiarity with regulatory requirements and standards. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Fluent in English. Why Join Us: Work in Basel, a hub of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Competitive salary and benefits. Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects. Collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Negotiable
Switzerland
Apply

Process Development Associate

Company Overview: Join a leading medical technology company that develops innovative cellular products. We are seeking a dedicated Process Development Associate to contribute to the development and manufacturing solutions. Key Responsibilities: Provide process inputs for the engineering, qualification, and validation of new and existing manufacturing facilities. Offer technical input for process fit assessments within manufacturing facilities and define process requirements. Provide ongoing technical support for change control, deviation investigations, and CAPA management during product development. Implement operational technology transfer. Monitor, track, and continuously analyze data. Monitor and report on the manufacturing process and product output. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a Biochemical/Biological related field, Chemical Engineering, or Process Engineering. Minimum of 5 years of experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industries with a focus on drug product manufacturing. Experience in cell culture. Results-oriented and outcomes-driven. Strong project management skills. Click the link below to apply.

Negotiable
Singapore
Apply

Senior/Staff NPI Engineer

The Senior/Staff New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer is responsible for leading the transition of new products into manufacturing, ensuring seamless integration, optimized processes, and high-quality production. This role involves process development, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance manufacturing efficiency and product performance. Key Responsibilities: Drive new product introduction (NPI) initiatives, ensuring smooth transition from development to full-scale production. Act as a subject matter expert (SME) in system integration and assembly processes. Develop and optimize manufacturing and testing methods to enhance quality, efficiency, and scalability. Identify and implement process improvements, troubleshoot issues, and support the launch of new and updated products. Serve as a technical liaison between design, manufacturing, and operations teams to align product requirements with production capabilities. Represent Operations in high-level technical discussions with internal teams and external partners. Provide mentorship to junior engineers, fostering technical growth and innovation. Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, GMP standards, and industry best practices. Qualifications & Experience: Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferred); equivalent experience will be considered. Master's degree is a plus. Experience: Minimum 6+ years of engineering experience, with a focus on new product introduction and manufacturing processes. At least 2 years of experience in system integration and process optimization. Skills & Competencies: Technical leadership in product launch and process development. Experience in cross-functional collaboration to drive manufacturing excellence. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, regulatory compliance (FDA, GMP), and process optimization. Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and enhance production efficiency. Excellent communication and project management skills. Proficiency in engineering and manufacturing software applications.

Up to US$130000 per year
Colorado
Apply

Senior/Staff NPI Engineer

Senior/Staff New Product Introduction Engineer Role Overview: The Senior/Staff New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer is responsible for leading the transition of new products into manufacturing, ensuring seamless integration, optimized processes, and high-quality production. This role involves process development, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance manufacturing efficiency and product performance. Key Responsibilities: Drive new product introduction (NPI) initiatives, ensuring smooth transition from development to full-scale production. Act as a subject matter expert (SME) in system integration and assembly processes. Develop and optimize manufacturing and testing methods to enhance quality, efficiency, and scalability. Identify and implement process improvements, troubleshoot issues, and support the launch of new and updated products. Serve as a technical liaison between design, manufacturing, and operations teams to align product requirements with production capabilities. Represent Operations in high-level technical discussions with internal teams and external partners. Provide mentorship to junior engineers, fostering technical growth and innovation. Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, GMP standards, and industry best practices. Qualifications & Experience: Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferred); equivalent experience will be considered. Master's degree is a plus. Experience: Minimum 6+ years of engineering experience, with a focus on new product introduction and manufacturing processes. At least 2 years of experience in system integration and process optimization.

Up to US$130000 per year
Colorado
Apply

Quality CAPA Consultant

We have a current opportunity for a Quality CAPA Consultant on a contract basis. The position will be based in Huntersville, NC. We are seeking a Quality Engineer who has knowledge of Medical Device Manufacturing with a compliance background. Duties will include CAPA execution (currently have approximately 30-40 open CAPAs), so this person will provide some relief to existing QE team, allowing them to add focus on supporting business (production, sustaining, etc.) 3 Month Contract with potential to extend Software is typical Microsoft suite primarily. Could include processing non-conforming product, executing identified corrective actions, updating procedures, supporting production, working in team setting.. Skills we expect are to have a grasp on quality system requirements for Medical device companies and be able to prioritize the work given and execute (with some guidance) projects/actions without a lot of hand-holding.

Negotiable
Charlotte
Apply

Senior Engineer - Small Molecules

Senior Engineer - Small Molecules We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Engineer specializing in small molecules for a contract position based in Visp, Switzerland. This role is crucial within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and involves developing global standard operating procedures across all facilities worldwide. Key Responsibilities: Responsible for delivery of the small molecules design guideline based on existing internal guidelines. Identifying and collaborating with specific function and area SMEs to assimilate and develop process best practices for SOP integration. Provide subject matter expertise and domain knowledge pertaining to the design standard for the construction of new facilities for the production of small molecule APIs. Necessary Skills: Each skill listed plays a critical role in fulfilling daily responsibilities effectively: Master degree in engineering (process, pharmaceutical, biochemical engineering or equivalent) and long time and in-depth project management or operational experience in the small molecules area in multiple international environments Experienced in cGMP rules and requirements for chemical API production Familiar with project management tools & software. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite with focus on Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel Strong leader, motivating team player, drives results, excellent communication skills and experience in managing matrix-based cross-functional teams Ability to understand and challenge design and execution concepts Ability to establish project execution plans that outlines the course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal Very good English and German skills, oral and writing preferred Persuasive, encouraging and motivating and strong interpersonal skills For further information about this position, please apply with your CV *Please note, only those with the right to work in Switzerland can apply (EU Passport)!

Negotiable
Basel
Apply
Register your CV View More Jobs

Engineering News & Insights

Life Sciences Salary Guides of 2023 Image
biometrics

Life Sciences Salary Guides of 2023

Are you aiming to advance your career within the life sciences sector? Are you interested in discovering your competitors‘ offerings for professionals in your field across the APAC region? We are excited to present our new series of Salary Guides for the life sciences industry. These comprehensive reports will furnish you with invaluable insights into the present salary trends in Singapore, China, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.Compiled from the responses of almost 900 life sciences professionals in the APAC region, this is an opportunity you shouldn't overlook. Seize the chance to gain a competitive advantage in the life sciences field, enabling you to make well-informed choices about your career trajectory, compensation, and hiring approaches.

Read More
The Life Sciences Skills Gap: How to Hire Image
management advice

The Life Sciences Skills Gap: How to Hire

​The life sciences industry is rapidly growing, but it is experiencing skills gaps that need to be addressed to allow it to reach its full potential. According to a 2022 life sciences and pharma talent trends report, 33% of C-suite and human capital leaders in the life sciences and pharmaceuticals sector agree that talent scarcity is a major pain point. This problem is widespread, with the UK also suffering a skills shortage that threatens to stall the industry’s trajectory.Skills gaps in digital and computational skills, and industrial, economic, and clinical research are particularly large. However, if phenotypic, genomic, and patient data integration practices can be optimized across the industry, this will support both research and treatment advances in the future.This article shares effective hiring strategies that can help life sciences organizations address skill gaps within their teams and wider business.Understanding the skills gaps in the life sciences industryStatistics from the talent trends report highlight the key skills gaps in the life sciences industry and how they impact key research and development processes. Demand for life sciences products is forecast to grow more rapidly than the global GDP over the coming years, and 45% of the aforementioned talent leaders note that they are looking to hire primarily to avoid talent scarcity from hindering their organizations’ progress. Moreover, the report found that 67% of pharmaceutical and life sciences companies believe that reskilling their current employees is an efficient way to address and mitigate skills gaps. It currently takes 105 days on average to fill a non-executive life sciences position in the US, leading to financial losses of $500 per open role per day, so intentional talent strategies are crucial to setting life sciences businesses on the path to success.Supporting mobility between sectorsSupporting mobility between sectors plays a vital role in closing the skills gaps within the life sciences industry. Enabling professionals to transition across sectors, ranging from Regulatory and Legal Services to Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Engineering, allows life sciences companies to tap into a vast pool of talent. This is also an effective method of sharing intersectional knowledge and developing key skills.Selecting candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds for open roles may also bring more unique perspectives into your organization, thereby driving innovation and helping to meet growing demand. Focus on transferable skillsFocusing on transferable skills is a powerful approach to bridging the skills gap in the life sciences industry. Rather than solely emphasizing sector-specific experience, prioritizing transferable skills enables professionals to adapt and thrive in new roles within the field. The life sciences industry’s talent offers a myriad of transferable skills that can be used to power future growth and innovation. These include analytical skills, leadership and teamwork skills, problem solving, written and oral communication skills, management skills, and scientific peer communication. Additional soft skills to focus on in your talent acquisition strategy include critical thinking, problem solving, and attention to detail.Consider cultural fitSeek out candidates from other industries who align with your organization’s culture, values, and core mission. This alignment promotes employee engagement, retention, and overall job satisfaction, whilst creating a supportive working environment that benefits from a wide range of experiences and perspectives.These candidates should also possess the aforementioned transferable skills, which will help to ensure that they can perform optimally in their new roles without being hindered by common skills gaps.Offer more flexibilityWhile not a priority for all candidates, flexible working arrangements such as remote or hybrid work arrangements are valuable to skilled candidates and may help to give your organization an advantage in the ongoing competition for life sciences talent.Hire top talent with EPM ScientificEPM Scientific is a leading specialist life sciences talent partner, providing you with a wealth of expertise to help you locate the best talent for your life sciences roles globally. Submit a vacancy or request a call back from our team to find the right people to drive your organization forwards.

Read More
How to Ensure Employee Retention in Life Sciences Image
safety-pharmacovigilance

How to Ensure Employee Retention in Life Sciences

​The Pharmaceutical market has expanded considerably in the past two decades, with Pharma revenues totalling $1.42tn in 2021. This has been accompanied by a growing demand for experienced, highly qualified Life Sciences professionals: with more drugs than ever now available, companies require a strong workforce to bring their products to market. The industry has had to deal with an ever-small talent pool as a result, which has been exacerbated by one of the highest employee churn rates, with the Life Sciences and Medical Devices industry alone seeing a 20.6% turnover rate. This is reflected in the results of our Life Sciences survey which revealed that more than 40% of Life Sciences professionals are currently looking for a new role.The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in resignations across all industries, as many employees started to re-evaluate their priorities and seek roles that offered flexible remote-work policies. Consequently, companies have found it harder to get the people they need. 47.8 million workers in the U.S. decided to quit their jobs in 2021 – the highest volume of resignations since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began recording this data in 2001. This is equivalent to 3.98 million workers quitting their jobs each month, up from an average of roughly 3m leaving their jobs each month in 2019.Similar trends have been observed in Australia and the UK, where the rate of employed people between 16-64 choosing to switch jobs reached an all-time high of 3.2% between October-December 2021. The resignation rate continued to increase in 2022, with job-to-job resignations in the UK peaking at 442,000 in the second quarter of 2022. In Europe, one in three workers are considering quitting their jobs in the near term, with inadequate compensation and lack of career advancement being cited as the top factors.Why are Life Sciences professionals leaving their roles?The reasons that Life Sciences professionals have for wanting to leave their jobs vary across each industry sector. However, the promise of higher remuneration is invariably the main reason. This is according to findings from our Year in Review, which goes into greater depth about the factors that matter most to Life Sciences professionals when seeking to advance their careers.There are a host of other important factors, however, such as the desire for an improved work-life balance and employees wanting to acquire more new skills that will aid in their professional development. Changes in management can also cause people to want to move jobs, and Life Sciences professionals are increasingly looking for openings that provide flexible working hours and the ability to work from home.How to improve employee retentionThe good news is that there is a wide range of employee retention strategies that you can adopt in your workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective employee retention techniques that you can use to ensure that your employees are satisfied at work and remain highly motivated in their positions, as opposed to looking elsewhere for their big career break.Offer competitive salaries and benefitsDissatisfaction around salary has had a negative impact on talent retention in the Life Sciences sector. As we’ve seen across the board, wanting higher compensation is the top reason for employees wanting to move to jobs; 70% of the R&D professionals that we surveyed within the Pharmacological industry were motivated by the promise of higher compensation at other companies.Paying your team a competitive rate is a simple but effective employee retention strategy that you can use to avoid your workforce shrinking. Our survey results show that the majority of respondents want a pay rise upwards of 10-15% of their current salary, which provides some indication of how much you may need to offer in order to remain competitive. Focus on career developmentYour employees will be far less likely to want to continue working for you long-term if there are few opportunities for advancement – or if their ability to develop their skills is limited. A study by Work Institute found that employees quit in 20% of cases due to career development issues.This highlights the importance of setting clear paths for career progression to give your team the motivation and provide them with long-term goals.Be flexibleOffering flexible working arrangements is a sure-fire way to keep your employees happy. Our Year in Review revealed that the option to work from home is very important to 60% of the industry as a whole. The majority of R&D respondents deemed flexibility as either important or very important, and workers in Pharmacovigilance ranked flexibility higher than salary when asked what is most important when considering a new job.Whilst a lack of flexible working options will not be a deal-breaker for many employees, you will find it far easier to retain your top talent if you grant them greater freedom to work according to their preferences.Build a supportive company cultureThere’s nothing quite like a warm, friendly culture when it comes to getting excellent work out of your employees. It’s also one of the best ways to increase their loyalty to the company.Seeking feedback from employees on a regular basis about how working processes might be improved helps ensure that workers feel that their concerns are being heard and addressed. Providing senior employees with the skills and training that they need to be good managers is also a worthwhile endeavour. Manufacturing professionals regard good leadership as almost as important as salary, according to our Year in Review survey.Promote work-life balanceMore than a third of respondents in our Life Sciences Year in Review report highlighted a poor work-life balance as one of the main reasons for wanting to seek employment in another role. Almost half of the Clinical Pharmacology professionals surveyed cited a need for an improved work-life balance as their main reason for seeking a new position.With higher numbers of professionals re-evaluating their priorities in life in the wake of the COVID pandemic, it’s no wonder that Life Sciences professionals are seeking out positions that allow them to spend more time with their families and friends. Giving your employees more personal time is therefore one of the most effective strategies for employee retention.Offer innovative, up-to-date technologiesFinally, ensure that you have the latest technology in your workplace. Investing in top-of-the-range software, for example, will make it easier for your employees to complete tasks and reduce the errors that are made, thereby increasing company productivity and boosting morale.Employee retention is critical to successThriving companies are characterized by a happy, satisfied workforce and high employee retention rates. Partner with EPM Scientific, a leading executive search firm for the Life Sciences industry, to find out more about how you can implement employee retention strategies that get results. Request a call back and one of our specialist consultants will be in touch. ​

Read More
Benefits of Life Sciences Contract Work Image
Pharmacology

Benefits of Life Sciences Contract Work

According to Statista, 86.5 million people in the United States alone will be freelancing by 2027, which is more than half of the country’s workforce – and this is a trend that’s not limited to the US. In Europe, it’s estimated that there are already 32.3 million freelancers making up 15% of the total labor market.If you’re in the Life Sciences sector, you can enjoy the benefits of contract work. The big question is, would a contract job be the right choice for you? This is an important question especially if you’ve built your career in permanent roles. Consider the benefits of being a contract employee and weigh them up against your own priorities to be better able to make an informed decision.The benefit of higher payHigher pay is one of the benefits of contract work. There’s a misconception that Life Sciences contractors do not earn as much as those in permanent roles, but the reality is that most Life Science companies are often willing to pay contract workers more money.  One of the reasons for this is that those companies do not have to cover health benefits, social security taxes, 401K (retirement) contributions, unemployment compensation, or Medicare for contract workers. They also understand that they need to compensate for the lack of company benefits and a steady income, especially if those contractors have a high level of expertise in their field.Freedom of choiceThe freedom to choose who you work with, where you work, and for how long you work is another of the benefits of contract jobs. As a contractor, you can carefully select the Life Sciences companies you want to work for, and you can choose roles or projects that interest you and avoid those that don’t. In addition, you can select the contracts that best suit you, whether you consider the location in which you will be based or the length of the contract.Gaining broad skills and experienceThe potential to gain much broader skillsets and a wealth of experience is another benefit of contract work in the Life Sciences sector. Making this benefit even more attractive is that you can do this in a relatively short time.As a contractor, you probably will fill a specific role for a variety of Life Sciences companies. By working on different projects in those companies, you will gain insights into and experience in a diversity of systems and workflows, some of which will be unique to specific companies. This is not possible if you remain a permanent employee within one company.Contract work also keeps work experience fresh, as your responsibilities are not likely to become monotonous or repetitive. The continued challenges that come your way are opportunities to diversify your skillset, which will count in your favor as you continue to progress your career through contract jobs. Find the right roleSince 2012, EPM Scientific has placed candidates in their next Life Sciences role, including both contract and permanent positions. Register your resume on our site to access the latest role​s on the Life Sciences job market and find out how we can help you define your next career move.​

Read More
Bioartificial Kidneys and Tissue Engineering: Cyborg Future? Image
engineering

Bioartificial Kidneys and Tissue Engineering: Cyborg Future?

​UCSFs bioartificial kidney is an exciting breakthrough which circumvents the need for tissue-blood supply,using  cyborg-likesilicon chips. In thisarticlewe explore UCSF’s Kidney Project, the latest applications of tissue engineering, and the recruitment trends within the pharma and biotech fields.We have previously discussed how the fields of tissue-engineeringand regenerative medicine are poised to yield market disruptions for biotech and pharma.Recap: What is tissue engineering?Tissue engineering is the synthesis of biological tissues — usually via a combination of a scaffold, stem cells, and growth factors. Like the field of gene therapy, tissue engineering has progressed from early debates overradical sciencetoviable and disruptive product lines.  While regenerative medicine includes therapies to rejuvenate tissues, tissue-engineering seeks to replace tissues with de-novo implants that are either grown from the host or immune tolerant. A number of projects in recent years haveutilisedtissue engineering: In 2016 theLancet reportedthat a Swiss group had taken biopsies of subjects’ nasal cartilage, expanded them in a lab on an electrospun scaffold, then replanted them successfully into full-thickness articular defects in the cartilage of the same subject's knee.  This is a potential therapy for knee osteoarthritis.In 2017scientists from Tokyo Universityreported on the use of implanted nasal cartilage grafts to treat facial defects in adults with cleft-palates. In 2018Science Translational Medicinereported on the use of implanted tissue-engineered spinal discs to treat advanced disc degeneration in rats. The field holds promise for any degenerative disease that impacts irreplaceable tissues, such ascardiac valves,peripheral nerves,spinal cord,amputated limbs, and much more. However, the problem with tissue engineered constructs and a major barrier to evolution in the field has turned out to be relatively simple.  Once any engineered tissue grows beyond a few cell layers, itrequires a nutrient supplyto support itself.  In biological tissues, blood vessels support living cells by bringing nutrients and eliminating wastes.  But when seeking to de-novo engineer a tissue from cartilage, liver, or kidney stem cells blood vessels are an extreme complication — to create them requires creating a second tissue,interspersed with the first, composed ofmultiple cell typesin layers, and highlycomplex to engineer.  The blood vessel problem is a major barrier to innovation in the field of tissue engineering.  Here’s how one team is solving it...The bioartificial kidney and blood vesselsGlobally, between8-16%of people suffer from chronic kidney disease. The dialysis industry was estimated at$40 billionin 2018.  Kidney transplants are themost common organ donationworldwide, and there are greater than100,000 peoplewithend-stagerenal disease in the US waiting for a kidney transplant. Kidneys are composed of highly specialized cells that filter blood to formurine,and are essential for excreting wastes, balancing electrolytes, and maintaining healthy red blood cells. It’s now possible for these tissues can beengineered in the lab, andmany research groupshave made progress in this field. UCSF’s Kidney Project breakthrough One group, Dr. Shuvo Roy’smicroelectricalmechanical labat UCSF, has made an interesting breakthrough, which is relevant beyond just kidneys, to the entire field of tissue engineering.  Many scientists have grown a functional tissue, then implanted it hoping it would vascularize. Or, havegrown blood vessels into a scaffold, then cultured functional cells in theprevascularizedstructure. Dr. Shuvo Roy’sKidney Projectsimply printed a silicon chip that carried nutrient supplies like a dialysis machine, then placed cells in the chip.  Rather than recreating complex biological tissues, they created a silicon chip that supported individual cells.  This is essentially a simple concept, that stands to reverse all of tissue engineering. It’s possible that the best tissue-engineered grafts are not going to recreate biological architecture. On this basis, some believe that the implants of the future will becyborg composites, functional cells living in an artificial matrix. Impact of tissue engineering R&D on pharma and biotech recruitmentWe believe biotech and pharma would be well served to integrate tissue-engineering R&D into their portfolios because the field is poised for breakthroughs, and those breakthroughs are likely to disrupt established clinical markets. Experts in this field are valuable, and recruitment in this industry is at an all-time high.Operating as part of the Phaidon International group, EPM Scientific is a specialist staffing agency, wholly focused on permanent & freelance recruitment within the life sciences sector.  We are designed to enhance the connection between enterprise project management and recruitment services in complex drug & device development endeavors like tissue-engineering and regenerative medicine therapies. At EPM Scientific, we think holistically. We recruit the best talent to ensure superior medicines are available to patients and we believe in the positive evolution of human health.  As we’ve shown with the example of Dr. Shuvo Roy’s research group and the bioartificial kidney, the right perspective, and the right talent can take a complex, unsolvable problem and circumvent it to unlock potential across many disciplines. The right candidate for the right team takes skill and timing.  If you’re a hiring manager in pharma or biotech looking to extend your team with tissue engineering capacities,  or you’re a consultant with this expertise wishing to move into industry.  I’m happy to help you find the right fit.  Please feel free to reach out directly at Contact.Us@epmscientific.com-------------------------EPM Scientific is a leading specialist recruitment agency for the Life Sciences industry. We were founded in 2012 to give companies and candidates peace of mind that the recruitment process is in experts hands. Today, we provide contingency, retained search and project-based contract recruitment from our global hubs in London, Berlin, Switzerland, New York and Chicago.We pride ourselves in keeping our professional network up-to-date with any changes that will shape the future of work or affect the hiring process. Visit our website to discover more invaluable insights, including exclusive research, salary guides and market trends.

Read More
Emerging Markets in Tissue Engineering Image
engineering

Emerging Markets in Tissue Engineering

​Tissue-engineered substrates like Axogen nerve-grafts and 3D-printed hydrogels have penetrated past the hype phase of the Garner hype cycle to the main market.  Tissue-engineering and regenerative medicine are hot topics lately.  While the average person associates these therapies with idealistic sci-fi, the truth is that these therapies have exited controversial trial-and-error experimentation and are beginning to generate viable product lines.  In other words, they have made it past the hype and are beginning to yield.While these two terms are often used interchangeably they are subtly different sciences. Tissue-engineering is a biomaterials field where scaffolds, cells, and growth are combined to synthesize functional tissues which could be implanted in humans. Current innovation in this field is focused on experiments to determine the optimum ratios, substrates, and timelines to grow viable tissues.  This research is less fundamental and more experimental, often occurring in academia.In contrast, regenerative medicine is a broader clinical field which includes tissue-engineering but also therapies to transplant or rejuvenate human tissues in situ.  Many of these therapies are already on the market in some form in the cosmetics or sports injury industries.  This research is more applied and occurs in industry, medicine, and academia. The tissue-engineering industryTissue-engineering is highly desirable because it escapes the ethical, autoimmune, and infectious dilemmas of transplanted tissues. Complex non-antigenic bioimplants could also disrupt more expensive and less effective medical industries like dialysis or prosthetic limbs.The drawback with tissue-engineering has always been complexity. As Einstein is paraphrased as saying “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler”.  The reason we haven’t had tissue-engineered products in the past, is they are not simple to make. Biological tissues are grown over time, dynamic, and interdependent. As difficult as it is to expand and grow healthy tissue in a lab, viable lab-grown tissues must also be viable in the body.  When tissue is implanted it must be accepted by the immune system, integrate into vascular and lymphatic supplies, and then remodel appropriately with age.  Despite the challenges, several revolutionary tissue-engineered products have been emerging onto the biotech and pharma markets.  Some examples of viable tissue-engineered therapies that are achieving clinical use and widespread scientific acceptance include:Decellularized tissues such as Axogen’s Avance®  nerve grafts marketed for repair of transected or damaged nerves or DermACELL® skin replacements for burnsGrowth factors such as those eluted from Osiris’ Grafix® a placental membrane therapy marketed for the healing of chronic woundsImplanted tissues such as Dr. Ivan Martin’s implanted cartilage grafts for knee arthritisWhat does this mean for recruitment?Novel tissue-engineered products have the potential to replace human tissues previously thought irreplaceable such as nerve, bone, and cartilage.  Additionally,  therapies from tissue-engineering might also yield unexpected breakthroughs in the wider clinical and commercial fields of regenerative medicine.Biotech and pharma would be well served to integrate tissue-engineering R&D into their portfolios because the field is poised for breakthroughs, and those breakthroughs are likely to disrupt established clinical markets. Experts in this field are valuable, and recruitment in this industry is at an all-time high.Operating as part of the Phaidon International group, EPM Scientific is a specialist staffing agency, wholly focused on permanent & freelance recruitment within the life sciences sector.  We are designed to enhance the connection between enterprise project management and recruitment services in complex drug & device development endeavors like tissue-engineering and regenerative medicine therapies. At EPM Scientific, we think holistically. We recruit the best talent to ensure superior medicines are available to patients and we believe in the positive evolution of human health. The right candidate for the right team takes skill and timing.  If you’re a hiring manager in pharma or biotech looking to extend your team with tissue engineering capacities,  or you’re a consultant with this expertise wishing to move into industry.  I’m happy to help you find the right fit.  Please feel free to reach out directly at Contact.Us@epmscientific.com.---------------------------------------------EPM Scientific is a leading specialist recruitment agency for the Life Sciences industry. We were founded in 2012 to give companies and candidates peace of mind that the recruitment process is in experts hands. Today, we provide contingency, retained search and project-based contract recruitment from our global hubs in London, Berlin, Switzerland, New York and Chicago.We pride ourselves in keeping our professional network up-to-date with any changes that will shape the future of work or affect the hiring process. Visit our website to discover more invaluable insights, including exclusive research, salary guides and market trends. ​

Read More