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.

If you're a client looking for the best talent, please 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.

Engineering Responsible -CQV

HOT JOB : Engineering Responsible (CQV) - Downstream Process Duration: 12 months, possible extension Location: Denmark - on-site Start Date: ASAP -12month contract I'm working exclusively with an exciting large pharma client on a dynamic project, and we're looking for an Engineering Responsible (ER) with expertise in CQV (process/mechanical) and downstream process steps to join their team. You'll play a critical role in equipment installation, validation activities, and ensuring operational readiness at their facility in Denmark. Experience with downstream processes and equipment in mAb (monoclonal antibody) facilities is preferred. Key Responsibilities: Collaborate with engineering partners, downstream teams, and suppliers to address technical, process, and automation aspects of equipment installation, testing, and operation. Review SAT protocols, participate in FAT and SAT, and provide input on verification protocols for final on-site testing. Oversee equipment installation and ensure it meets operational requirements. Execute SAT, verification, and validation testing in coordination with team members and technical disciplines. Support the preparation of SOPs and contribute to operational readiness deliverables. Could you please send me your CV along with your availability for a call? This is an urgent role, and I'd like to discuss it with you as soon as possible.

Negotiable

Denmark

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Senior Process Validation Engineer

We are seeking an experienced consultant for the validation of fill & finish processes for one of our client. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry and will ensure that production processes comply with regulatory standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Responsibilities: Plan and execute validation activities for fill and finish processes. Draft and review validation protocols and associated reports. Ensure production processes comply with regulatory standards (FDA, EMA, etc.). Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams to optimize processes. Identify and resolve issues related to process validation. Train and mentor teams on validation procedures. Key Competencies: Expertise in fill and finish process validation. In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards and GMP. Ability to draft clear and precise validation protocols and reports. Project management and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Proficiency with computer tools and validation software. Desired Profile: Degree in pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, or a related field. Minimum 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector, specializing in process validation. Proven experience in fill and finish process validation. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. Analytical mindset and attention to detail.

Negotiable

Switzerland

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Project Manager EIA

We are currently working with a reputable industrial services company looking for a motivated Project Manager (Automation) to join their team on a pharmaceutical project in Switzerland. This is an exciting opportunity to work on some of the most interesting projects in the industry. You will be responsible for: Designing and supervising the implementation of electricity, automation, and instrumentation solutions for production and laboratory facilities. Managing the entire project life cycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery. Collaborating closely with internal teams (engineering, production, quality) to ensure projects are delivered on time and according to specifications. Ensuring smooth coordination and communication between internal and external stakeholders. Managing the budget allocated to projects and tracking costs throughout the process. Ensuring that projects comply with safety, quality, and regulatory standards. As an ideal candidate you should have the following qualifications: Degree in electrical engineering, automation, instrumentation or equivalent training. Good knowledge in PLC Siemens. Good knowledge of Wonderware InTouch supervision systems; Siemens WinCC would be a plus. Good knowledge in CAD - electrical schematics. Confirmed experience in managing EIA projects; ideally in the pharmaceutical or chemical sector. Fluent in French; good knowledge of English; German is a plus. What We Offer: Competitive compensation. Opportunities to work on innovative projects and advance your career in a growing company. If this opportunity interests you, please apply! NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Negotiable

Valais

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Mobile Security Engineer

Position: Mobile Security Engineer Location: Amsterdam Role Overview: Lead reverse engineering and vulnerability testing on mobile applications. Conduct penetration tests on payment apps and SDKs. Ensure code meets security standards through various assessment techniques. Write detailed technical reports. Enhance technical skills through training and professional development. Share expertise via internal and external training sessions. Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks. Qualifications: 3-5 years of experience in application security and penetration testing. Degree in Computer Science or related field. Strong knowledge of mobile platforms (Android, iOS) and their architectures. Proficiency in mobile programming languages (Java, Swift, Objective-C, Kotlin, C/C++). Understanding of networking protocols (HTTPS, TCP/IP, HTTP). Experience with reverse engineering tools and analysis techniques. Knowledge of microcontroller architecture and cryptography.

Negotiable

Amsterdam

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Mobile Security Engineer

Position: Mobile Security Engineer Location: United Kingdom Role Overview: Lead reverse engineering and vulnerability testing on mobile applications. Conduct penetration tests on payment apps and SDKs. Ensure code meets security standards through various assessment techniques. Write detailed technical reports. Enhance technical skills through training and professional development. Share expertise via internal and external training sessions. Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks. Qualifications: 3-5 years of experience in application security and penetration testing. Degree in Computer Science or related field. Strong knowledge of mobile platforms (Android, iOS) and their architectures. Proficiency in mobile programming languages (Java, Swift, Objective-C, Kotlin, C/C++). Understanding of networking protocols (HTTPS, TCP/IP, HTTP). Experience with reverse engineering tools and analysis techniques. Knowledge of microcontroller architecture and cryptography.

Negotiable

London

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Project Manager Utility/Facility

Nous recrutons pour l'un de nos clients, société MedTech basée à Lausanne, un Manager Facilities et Utilities Responsabilités Clés Gestion des Installations Superviser la maintenance, les réparations et les rénovations des bâtiments et de leurs équipements. Assurer la conformité des bâtiments aux réglementations de santé et de sécurité, y compris la sécurité incendie et les procédures d'urgence. Gérer les budgets et les coûts des installations. Coordonner avec les propriétaires de bâtiments, les entrepreneurs et les fournisseurs pour la maintenance et les réparations. Gérer les projets liés aux installations. Gestion de l'Environnement Assurer la conformité des environnements de production avec nos normes et les demandes de validation, y compris les fournisseurs de nettoyage. Gérer l'élimination des déchets et la conformité environnementale. Promouvoir un environnement de travail propre et organisé. Identifier et évaluer les risques potentiels pour les installations et les opérations de production. Gérer le plan de stationnement et de mobilité. Connaissances et Compétences Expérience des réglementations des bâtiments pour les dispositifs médicaux ou l'industrie pharmaceutique et soutien aux inspections réglementaires. Expérience dans la direction d'équipes transversales et la gestion des fournisseurs. Capacité à diriger des projets et à résoudre des problèmes complexes. Contribuer au développement de stratégies fonctionnelles. Excellentes compétences en communication verbale et écrite. Capacité à communiquer des idées complexes et à obtenir un consensus à partir de différents points de vue. Capacité à travailler dans des délais serrés et de manière indépendante. Éducation et Qualifications Master ou technicien supérieur avec un minimum de 6 ans d'expérience confirmée dans la gestion des installations ou des utilités, des projets ou des affaires courantes, ou équivalent. Expérience professionnelle dans un environnement industriel conforme aux BPF (Bonnes Pratiques de Fabrication).

Negotiable

Germany

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Lead Scientist (Study Director)

OPEN TO RELOCATING CANDIDATES! Our client is a global leading CDMO that is currently looking for a Lead Scientist to be part of their viral clearance team. As the Lead Scientist, you will be the subject matter expert, designing and leading projects. Key Responsibilities: Oversee all aspects of study planning, execution, analysis, documentation and reporting Design studies and conduct laboratory work, ensuring they are aligned with the guidelines, protocols and GMP standards. Leading and managing project teams, working with local and global teams Build, establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders Provide clear and effective communciation through reports and meetings. Requirements: Degree/ PhD in Biological Science or relevant field of study At least 5 years of lab experience, or at least 2 years and a PhD. Viral clearance experience Biologics License Applications (BLA) study experience Good understanding of cGMP regulations and quality management Excellent communication skills If you are interested in the opportunity, please apply with your CV attached.

Negotiable

Singapore

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Field Service Engineer

Be part of a life-changing and transformative company! Our client is a leading medical device company in the biotech sector, seeking an experienced Field Service Engineer to join their team in Tokyo/Osaka. Responsibilities: Provide high-quality technical support for medical equipment within assigned territory Conduct on-site installations, repairs and maintenance of equipment Work closely with customers to troubleshoot issues Collaborate with cross-functional teams Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or related fields Skills: The ideal candidate should have experience in the following: MRI or Semi-Conductor knowledge and experience Experience working as a Field Service Engineer Ability to speak fluent Japanese. Able to read and write in English. Driving License in Japan If you are keen to explore, please apply with your CV attached.

Negotiable

Japan

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Account Manager

Our client is a rapidly expanding biotechnology company at the forefront of the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Genomics market in Japan. They are dedicated to advancing genomic research and providing innovative solutions to their customers. As they continue to grow, they are seeking a talented and motivated Account Manager to join their team. Key Responsibilities: Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential clients in the NGS/Genomics sector. Identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive sales growth. Provide expert advice and support to clients on the company's products and services. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure customer satisfaction and successful project delivery. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements to effectively position the company's offerings. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related field. Proven experience in sales or account management within the biotechnology or life sciences industry. Strong understanding of NGS and Genomics technologies and applications preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Fluency in Japanese and English is required. If you are interested, please apply with your CV attached.

Negotiable

Tokyo

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Project Manager Facilities

Notre client, société pharmaceutique basée à Lausanne, recherche un Project Manager Facilities pour prendre la responsabilité du service. Le poste est à pourvoir pour une durée initiale de 6 mois, avec pour objectif de poursuivre avec un contrat permanent Responsabilitiés Superviser la maintenance, les réparations et les rénovations des bâtiments et de leurs équipements. Assurer la conformité des bâtiments aux réglementations de santé et de sécurité, y compris la sécurité incendie et les procédures d'urgence. Gérer les budgets et les coûts des installations. Coordonner avec les propriétaires de bâtiments, les entrepreneurs et les fournisseurs pour la maintenance et les réparations. Gérer les projets liés aux installations. Assurer la conformité des environnements de production avec nos normes et les demandes de validation, y compris les fournisseurs de nettoyage. Gérer l'élimination des déchets et la conformité environnementale. Promouvoir un environnement de travail propre et organisé. Identifier et évaluer les risques potentiels pour les installations et les opérations de production. Gérer le plan de stationnement et de mobilité. Connaissances et Compétences Expérience des réglementations des bâtiments pour les dispositifs médicaux ou l'industrie pharmaceutique et soutien aux inspections réglementaires. Expérience dans la direction d'équipes transversales et la gestion des fournisseurs. Capacité à diriger des projets et à résoudre des problèmes complexes. Contribuer au développement de stratégies fonctionnelles. Excellentes compétences en communication verbale et écrite. Capacité à communiquer des idées complexes et à obtenir un consensus à partir de différents points de vue. Capacité à travailler dans des délais serrés et de manière indépendante. Éducation et Qualifications Master ou technicien supérieur avec un minimum de 6 ans d'expérience confirmée dans la gestion des installations ou des utilités, des projets ou des affaires courantes, ou équivalent. Expérience professionnelle dans un environnement industriel conforme aux BPF (Bonnes Pratiques de Fabrication).

Negotiable

Lausanne

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Account Manager

Negotiable

Tokyo

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CQV Engineer

Location: Netherlands (On-site) Summary: We are seeking a skilled CQV Engineer to join our team in the Netherlands. The ideal candidate will be responsible for Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) activities, including but not limited to Facilities, Utilities, Validation Life Cycle, Execution, Technical Documentation, Process, GAP Analysis, Risk Assessment, among others. Key Responsibilities: Prepare validation documents including URS, DQ, FMEA, Risk Assessments, FAT, SAT, Protocols (IQ, IOQ, OQ, PQ). Execute IQ/OQ and PQ for equipment, systems, and utilities. Write reports of completed CQV activities. Stay informed of industry regulatory changes as they apply to equipment/facility validation. Support in writing and/or revising procedures applicable to Engineering activities. Assist the Engineering group in preparing the validation, re-qualification, and maintenance program. Supporting the Cell and Gene Units Key Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area. Flexibility and adaptability to perform in an ever-changing environment. Demonstrable (3-6 years) experience within a validation role. Experience in GMP environment or similar, familiar with GDocP, Data Integrity, and ALCOA++. Strong planning skills and self-motivated, able to work autonomously. Business-level fluency in English; other languages are nice to have but not required.

Negotiable

Geleen

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Engineering News & Insights

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.

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.

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.

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 roles on the Life Sciences job market and find out how we can help you define your next career move.

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.

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.

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