Quality

Quality

EPM Scientific: Specialist Talent Partner in Quality Control Recruitment for Life Sciences

Even as the life sciences industry transforms at an unprecedented pace, quality issues drain up to 30% of pharmaceutical manufacturing costs. More than 300 drugs and medical devices were recalled in the last two years, highlighting the vital importance of strong Quality teams. A critical function in the manufacturing process, Quality ensures final products are consistent, safe, effective, and predictable. Entrust your Quality talent needs to EPM Scientific, the preferred talent partner of industry-leading companies and mover-and-shaker startups. We will source and deliver the best people for the job when you need them.

How we can help

Since 2012, we have sourced exceptional Quality professionals for clients around the world. Our expertise and efficiency in filling individual and team roles is bolstered by ongoing development and training, as well as investing in top-class technologies. In addition to finding sought-after talent for our clients, we help talented individuals find career-advancing opportunities. Whether you’re looking to fill a Quality role, or looking for your next career opportunity, EPM Scientific can help you.

Quality talent solutions

EPM Scientific takes the time-consuming hassle out of finding permanent, contract, and multi-hire Quality talent solutions aligned with your company’s requirements. Thanks to our global talent hubs, we can find the right people for Quality roles and place them quickly.

Our Quality talent solutions extend to an extensive network of interim managers and contractors who are ideal for long-term and time-critical functions and roles. We also offer retained and contingent services tailored to your company’s unique requirements.

We specialize in finding the best Quality talent, offer superior account management, and support our clients with value adding services such as interviewing tips, remuneration guidance, and bespoke analysis.

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

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

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Benefits of working with us

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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.

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Looking to hire?

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Quality Jobs

EPM Scientific continues to fill a wide range of Quality roles at life sciences companies in the US and around the world, including Quality Control Manager, Director of Quality, Head of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, and VP of Quality.

Manager/Sr. Manager - Clinical Quality Assurance, Remote

Manager/Sr. Manager Clinical Quality Assurance - Remote Our team is collaborating with a leading global pharmaceutical company to fill an exciting Clinical Quality Assurance role. This position is pivotal in managing GCP quality activities across several key therapeutic programs. As the Clinical Quality Assurance Manager, you will ensure proactive quality management and compliance with corporate policies, procedures, and global regulations, making a significant impact on the company's portfolio. Key Responsibilities: Lead the development and management of project timelines and deliverables for the R&D QA Comprehensive Quality Strategy, focusing on risk and issue management. Evaluate the effectiveness of the quality system and ensure inspection readiness through a tailored audit program for internal and external compliance. Apply current governmental regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures to study protocols and related activities. Prioritize tasks to meet the objectives of studies and programs. Collaborate with Development Operations and supporting functions to ensure quality compliance throughout clinical development. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as physical science, life science, nursing, or pharmacy, or equivalent experience. At least 5 years of experience in GCP quality assurance, regulatory affairs, clinical development, or clinical operations within the pharmaceutical industry. Preferably, 1+ years of experience in GCP QA auditing. Location: This role can be performed remotely within the United States. This is your chance to join a company that is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. If you are passionate about clinical quality assurance and eager to lead a team towards excellence, they want to hear from you. Apply now to be a part of their innovative journey and help deliver groundbreaking healthcare solutions.

US$140000 - US$190000 per year
United States of America
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AD of Supplier Quality

We are working with a biotechnology research company in San Diego who is looking for a Associate Director of Supplier Quality. The company has 3 compounds undergoing clinical trials currently, and is looking for someone with an extensive background in supplier quality as well as working with commercial products. Its main mission statement is to treat metabolic and endocrine disorders through the developement of best-in-class therapies. If you have extensive experience in QMS, GCP, GMP and like working in collaboartive environments with growth opportunity, then please apply to the AD of Supplier Quality position.

US$150000 - US$180000 per year
San Diego
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Sr. Manager, QC

We're working with a client who aims to develop and provide high quality formulations and exceptional service to healthcare practitioners and their patients as they are dedicated to helping unlock the full potential of sterile injectables through a specialized approach. The client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead their quality control department. This role is crucial in ensuring the highest standards of product quality and safety within the organization, which operates as a 503B compounding facility. Position: Senior Manager of Quality Control Key Responsibilities: Oversee all quality control operations and ensure compliance with cGMP standards. Lead and mentor the quality control team to achieve departmental goals. Develop and implement quality control procedures and protocols. Collaborate with other departments to ensure product quality and safety. Qualifications: Proven experience in quality control within a 503B compounding environment. Strong knowledge of cGMP regulations and FDA guidelines. Extensive experience with sterile injectables and aseptic manufacturing processes. Excellent leadership and team management skills. Ability to analyze data and implement effective quality control measures. This position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and development. If you believe you have the necessary experience in a 503B compounding environment, aseptic manufacturing, and sterile injectable experience in the pharmaceutical industry, please apply.

US$150000 - US$180000 per year
Los Angeles
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Manager/Director of Quality Assurance

Position Summary Reporting directly to the CSO, the Director of Quality Assurance (QA) is responsible for developing and overseeing quality systems to ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) for nonclinical studies and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) for clinical studies. This role ensures that facilities, equipment, personnel, methods, practices, records, and controls adhere to regulatory standards. Key Responsibilities Host client and regulatory inspections, including preparing responses to findings. Support regulatory professionals across BABM sites. Ensure GLP protocol requirements are met by auditing raw data, data summary tables, and phase reports for nonclinical studies and bioanalytical sample analysis. Maintain a state of inspection readiness, including site-specific folders. Ensure compliance with GLP, GCLP, and GCPs for FDA and international regulations. Manage the company Master Schedule. Develop and maintain QA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), QA Files, and QA Audit Log. Process and archive QA inspection reports and other required documentation. Monitor and interpret regulatory requirements for application to business processes. Author and review SOPs and Statistical Analysis Plans (SAP). Provide GLP and GCLP training. Recruit, develop, manage, and mentor regulatory professionals, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented culture. Plan, conduct, and report inspections of internal facilities to TSM. Plan, conduct, and report audits of external vendors to assess regulatory compliance. Manage the company Risk Register. Identify regulatory compliance issues and provide support to departments. Provide TSM with monthly compliance status reports, including issues and corrective actions. Represent QA in company meetings. Qualifications and Educational Requirements BA/BS degree in biological/physical sciences required; advanced degrees (MA, PhD) preferred. 10+ years of relevant Regulatory Affairs experience in the Bioanalytical CRO space and/or biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, or a combination of education and experience. Ability to provide regulatory leadership and guidance on cross-functional teams and work in a matrixed environment. Strategic thinker capable of planning and proposing innovative solutions to regulatory challenges.

Negotiable
Pleasanton
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Supplier Quality Engineer 3

My client, a leading medical device company specializing in class 2 devices is looking for an experienced Full Time Supplier Quality Engineer to join their growing team paying 130K+ a bonus. You would work shoulder to shoulder with R&D and sustaining engineering as you qualify component suppliers for New Product Development. Requirements: 4-6 years of NPI process experience HYBRID ONSITE 2-3 DAYS A WEEK 4-6 years of supplier quality experience Medical device industry experience preferred

US$120000 - US$130000 per year
Denver
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Supplier Quality Engineer 3

We have a current opportunity for a Supplier Quality Engineer 3 on a permanent basis. The position will be based in Lakewood. For further information about this position please apply and feel free to reach out to Adam.tizabi@epmscientific.org Collaborate with Suppliers and R&D on new product development and quality improvements, focusing on process development, validation, and tool design for medical devices. Independently manage key projects, providing guidance on supplier management, product design, and component qualification, while ensuring compliance with FDA and regulatory requirements. Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers, acting as the technical point of contact and driving quality improvements for externally sourced products. Conduct design reviews, qualify manufacturing processes, and develop supplier requirements, ensuring alignment with company and industry standards. Apply technical principles across multiple tasks, identifying risks and optimizing project outcomes, while mentoring junior team members. Requires 6+ years of experience, with a strong background in technical innovation, leadership, and GMP manufacturing, ideally within the medical device industry.

US$125000 - US$130000 per year
Denver
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Project Engineer

EPM Scientific are looking for 3 Project Engineers to join a global Medical Device client of ours as they look to set up a new site. You would be part of the team working on vendor management, and the development, purchasing and installation of new machinery through to validation stage. Contract Info: Hybrid 18-month project Medical Device Main Duties - Develop, Purchase and introduce new machinery using FAT/SAT/IQOQ/PQ validation process including generation of this documentation inline with company standards. - Manage machine vendors on build reviews and schedules to plan - Ability to prepare and present Technical reports, understand how to generate data and how to analyse using statistical tools to justify equipment meets requirements. - Support generation of Production documentation including Specifications. - Utilise Lean tools and techniques to demonstrate good project management to meet Targets. - Hold regular reviews/updates at all levels on projects inc. individual reviews on progress. - Liaise with subcontract toolmakers, machine builders in manufacture of jigs and fixtures & new equipment. - Liaise with Engineers in UK who will be supporting projects. Other Duties - Provide the communication interface between Suppliers, Production, Engineering and Maintenance departments. - Any other duties required in support of the Engineering service to the manufacturing operation.

Negotiable
Germany
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QA Validation Specialist PQR

We are seeking a QA Validation Specialist with expertise in Product Quality Review (PQR) to join our Client team in Visp on a one-year contract. In this role, you will: Ensure the trainings required to the Process Validation Specialist with focus on Product Quality Review are completed Active participation and contribution to the validation team Support the project teams to ensure compliance with SOP and related documents Preparation and approval of the monthly PQR Newsletter Maintenance of the PQR status overview list Participation in the preparation of process specific PQRs review and approval of PQRs Evaluation and approval of change requests, deviation and SOPs concerning PQRs Contact person for PQR/CPV during customer audits For further information about this position, please apply with your CV ***Please note, only those with the right to work in Switzerland can apply!***

Negotiable
Visp
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Process Validation Engineer

EPM Scientific are currently on the search for 4 candidates to fill roles as a Cleaning and Process Validation Engineer. Planned Start date of ASAP as a W2 Contractor on a 6 - 12 month contract located in Los Angeles, CA Details below: Process Validation Engineer · Ensure that all qualifications and validations are performed according to the regulatory and customer requirements · Be able to support Quality by Design on the drugs to be transferred or developed on the site · Write qualification and validation protocols/reports and other documentation related to the activities · Validation of aseptic process (formulation, filling, holding times) · Participate to shutdown qualification & calibration activities · Investigate deviations as needed and execute corrections · Define and execute improvement projects and initiatives · Ensure that all activities are performed in time and due quality Qualifications · BS in Engineering, Science or equivalent technical degree. · 2-5+ years' experience in a regulated, manufacturing environment within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical or medical device industry. · Experience in the areas of design documentation (URS, FS, DS and other engineering specifications) Validation (IQ, OQ, PQ, PV, CV, CSV, etc.), Quality Systems (Change Control, Non-Conformances, Requalification, etc), and Process Excellence Methodologies (Six-Sigma, Lean, etc.). · Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent technical writing skills. · Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment. · Ability to work effectively in a fast paced multitasking environment. · Strong working knowledge of FDA and cGMP regulations and documentation practices. · Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint. · Working for multiple clients through out the region. Cleaning Validation Engineer: · Draft cleaning validation protocols and final reports · Perform cleaning validation execution · Support cleaning validation activities for a variety of client projects such as: a new product transfer into facility, facility capacity increase and process change support. · Experience with glass and parts washers, CIP skids, COP · Experience with manufacturing equipment CIP cycles and cycle development · Experience with CIP/COP of vessels, tanks, etc. Qualifications · Engineering Degree required. · 2-5 years experience with cleaning validation in a regulated environment · Working knowledge of FDA and cGMP regulations and documentation practices. · Excellent written and verbal communication and technical writing skills. · Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and able to learn new computer applications. · Must be results oriented with hands-on experience with validation execution, familiar with industry concepts, practices and procedures in a cGMP environment If either role interests or you feel as if you could do both roles, please get in contact with up to date resumes and expect to hear back on Friday! Kind regards,

Negotiable
Los Angeles
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QA Specialist

Join a global medical device company as a QA Specialist in Yokohama! Are you passionate about quality assurance and regulatory affairs? Do you want to be part of a leading company in the medical device industry, known for its cutting-edge clinical diagnostics and innovative medical devices? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Position: QA Specialist Location: Yokohama, Japan About our Client: Our client is a global multinational company at the forefront of the medical device industry. Their commitment to innovation and excellence has made them a leader in clinical diagnostics and medical devices. Key Responsibilities: Quality Management: Ensure that the integrity of the Quality Management System (QMS) is maintained when changes to the QMS are implemented. Quality Training: Educate and train associates to uphold the highest standards of quality. Quality Maintenance: Continuously maintain and improve quality standards across the board. Regulatory Representation: Act as the face of the company during regulatory audits and inspections. Compliance Assurance: Ensure all products meet regulatory requirements in the Japanese market. What We're Looking For: Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5 years in quality assurance within the medical device industry. Language Skills: Fluency in both Japanese and English is essential. Passion for Excellence: A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality. Why Join Us? Innovative Environment: Work with cutting-edge technology and innovative products. Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement. Impactful Work: Contribute to products that improve patient outcomes and healthcare quality. Dynamic Team: Collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about what they do. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact in the medical device industry, we want to hear from you!

Negotiable
Japan
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QARA Manager - JP

Join a global medical device company as a QARA Manager in Tokyo! Are you passionate about quality assurance and regulatory affairs? Do you want to be part of a leading company in the medical device industry, known for its cutting-edge clinical diagnostics and innovative medical devices? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Position: QARA Manager Location: Tokyo, Japan About our Client: Our client is a global multinational company at the forefront of the medical device industry. Their commitment to innovation and excellence has made them a leader in clinical diagnostics and medical devices. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Development: Craft and implement regulatory strategies for new and existing products. Regulatory Representation: Act as the face of the company during regulatory audits and inspections. Compliance Assurance: Ensure all products meet regulatory requirements in the Japanese market. Quality Training: Educate and train associates to uphold the highest standards of quality. Quality Maintenance: Continuously maintain and improve quality standards across the board. What We're Looking For: Experience: Minimum of 5 years in regulatory affairs and quality assurance within the medical device industry. Language Skills: Fluency in both Japanese and English is essential. Passion for Excellence: A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality. Why Join Us? Innovative Environment: Work with cutting-edge technology and innovative products. Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement. Impactful Work: Contribute to products that improve patient outcomes and healthcare quality. Dynamic Team: Collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about what they do. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact in the medical device industry, we want to hear from you!

Negotiable
Singapore
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QARA Manager - JP

Join a global medical device company as a QARA Manager in Tokyo! Are you passionate about quality assurance and regulatory affairs? Do you want to be part of a leading company in the medical device industry, known for its cutting-edge clinical diagnostics and innovative medical devices? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Position: QARA Manager Location: Tokyo, Japan About our Client: Our client is a global multinational company at the forefront of the medical device industry. Their commitment to innovation and excellence has made them a leader in clinical diagnostics and medical devices. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Development: Craft and implement regulatory strategies for new and existing products. Regulatory Representation: Act as the face of the company during regulatory audits and inspections. Compliance Assurance: Ensure all products meet regulatory requirements in the Japanese market. Quality Training: Educate and train associates to uphold the highest standards of quality. Quality Maintenance: Continuously maintain and improve quality standards across the board. What We're Looking For: Experience: Minimum of 5 years in regulatory affairs and quality assurance within the medical device industry. Language Skills: Fluency in both Japanese and English is essential. Passion for Excellence: A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality. Why Join Us? Innovative Environment: Work with cutting-edge technology and innovative products. Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement. Impactful Work: Contribute to products that improve patient outcomes and healthcare quality. Dynamic Team: Collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about what they do. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact in the medical device industry, we want to hear from you!

Negotiable
Singapore
Apply
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Quality 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.

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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.

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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. ​

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How to Determine if a New Hire Will Fit into Your Company's Culture Image
Management & Culture

How to Determine if a New Hire Will Fit into Your Company's Culture

There’s no question that a company’s culture and ethos can help its employees feel more satisfied at work, increase employee retention and ultimately serve as a catalyst for its success. Company culture is seen as very important by professionals: survey data collected by Glassdoor shows that more than three quarters of professionals take the culture into account before applying for a job, and 56% say that they see the culture of a company as playing a more significant role than salary in determining overall job satisfaction. Given the role that it plays, cultural fit should be a key priority for employers.Why is cultural fit important?If somebody is a good cultural fit for a company, they are far more likely to be an engaged, motivated employee who derives satisfaction from their role. There is a greater chance that they will see the job as more than just a source of income and as such, they will be more likely to go above and beyond in the workplace and may even inspire others to follow in their footsteps.Hiring for cultural fit therefore makes good business sense. 10-25% of new employees decide to leave within six months of starting work, and one reason that professionals give for quitting is that they feel that they are a poor fit for the company culture. Choosing people for the job who are a natural fit for the company’s values and working practices is a great way to avoid these problems from arising.How to hire for cultural fit?Given the importance of company culture, businesses are increasingly hiring for cultural fit. This involves defining what your culture is all about and incorporating questions at interview stage that relate to your interviewees’ values, motivations and aspirations.Define your company’s cultureThe first step is to describe your company’s culture in writing. What are the values, beliefs and ethics that characterize your company’s operations and working environment? If you are struggling to capture the essence of your culture, it might be worth asking current employees about how they feel about the company and its working practices. It is recommended that you use such feedback when writing or updating a mission statement and articulating your company values. Include these on your website and on all your digital platforms, in addition to testimonials from your current employees.Demonstrate your values throughout the interview processAsking values-based interview questions is one of the best ways to identify candidates who share your values and will be a good fit in the workplace.You should also draw attention to the benefits that you offer your employees. 56% of CFOs in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) have said that they are considering expanding benefits, including flexible working arrangements (FWAs), in a bid to retain their top talent. If you offer flexible working roles, ensure that your staff relay this information at interview stage.Cover the right questionsIf you’re wondering how to determine if a candidate is a good fit, asking the following questions will help shed light on the personality of your interviewees and their alignment with your values:What motivates you? How do you handle conflict in the workplace?What work environment supports innovation and productivity levels? Give me an example of something that you have taught yourself in the last six monthsWhat experiences have shaped your outlook on life?What are you most proud of?Utilize personality testsPersonality tests provide valuable insights into how prospective employees approach problems. They can also shed light on their ability to work alongside others and offer further information about their interests and preferences.Some of the most common personality tests used by employers include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Caliper Profile and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire.Other key considerationsWhilst cultural fit is of great importance, it should be weighed alongside other factors. Hiring solely for cultural fit can perpetuate bias and lead to a lack of diversity within the workplace as a result. It’s also important to take into consideration an applicant’s qualifications, work experience, career aspirations and skill set when assessing their suitability for a role in your organization.Secure Life Sciences Talent with EPM ScientificAre you looking to solve your talent challenges? EPM Scientific offers bespoke talent solutions across Life Sciences A combination of our specialist account management service, ongoing support and reporting, and hiring advice allows us to find you exactly the people you need, when you need them. Register your vacancy or request a call back today.Our Talent Expertise​​​

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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.​

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The Benefits of using Life Sciences contractors/freelancers

The use of life sciences contractors and freelancers is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Not only are they able to provide specialized expertise, but they also offer a wide range of benefits that can help a business grow and thrive. Here are 10 of the top benefits of using life sciences contractors and freelancers.1. Cost Savings: Hiring contractors and freelancers is often significantly cheaper than hiring full-time staff. This is because you only pay for the services you need, when you need them.2. Flexibility: Contractors and freelancers offer flexibility that traditional employees cannot. You can easily scale up or down your workforce as needed, allowing you to meet fluctuating demands.3. Access To Specialized Expertise: Life sciences contractors and freelancers often have specialized skills and expertise that can be invaluable to a business.4. Faster Turnaround Time: When you need something done quickly, hiring a contractor or freelancer is often the fastest way to get the job done.5. Reduced Overhead: Contractors and freelancers don’t require the investment in overhead expenses that full-time employees do, such as office space and benefits.6. Fresh Perspective: Bringing in a contractor or freelancer can bring a fresh perspective to a project and help generate new ideas.7. Lower Risk: Hiring a contractor or freelancer reduces the risk that comes with hiring full-time employees. If a project doesn’t meet expectations, you can simply end the contract and look for a better fit.8. Increased Productivity: With more specialized expertise, contractors and freelancers can often complete projects more efficiently and quickly than full-time employees.9. Focus On Core Activities: By outsourcing more specialized tasks to contractors and freelancers, businesses can focus more on their core activities and reduce distractions.10. Improved Morale: Hiring contractors and freelancers can help to improve morale among existing staff, as they don’t have to take on extra tasks they may not be qualified or comfortable with.At EPM Scientific, we are the leading provider of life sciences contract and freelance recruitment services. We understand the importance of finding the right talent for the job, and have the experience and expertise to help you find the perfect candidate for your business. Request a call back from us todayto learn more about how we can help you find the perfect contractor or freelancer for your business.

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