Singapore’s booming life sciences sector dampened by talent shortage

Vacancies abound as overseas firms establish local bases.

Potential is overflowing in the city-state’s life sciences sector, but without the manpower to run the show, it won’t be able to capitalise. The glaring hole in the centre of the industry has recently been aggravated, as pharmaceutical firms sprout in the city-state, with scarce employees to man their forts.

According to Hays Singapore, the shortage of local candidates is leading to a rising number of senior vacancies across pharmaceutical and device organisations.

“A number of candidates have left the industry, which is creating higher demand for the professionals who remain. This is most notable in regulatory, medical and compliance functions,” said Lynne Roeder, managing director of Hays in Singapore.

In addition, Roeder says a number of candidates have also left the industry, creating higher demand for professionals who remain.

“This is most notable in regulatory, medical and compliance functions,” she added.
Roeder also cited the foreign employment tightening as a factor for the sector, limiting employers competing for a finite pool of local candidates.