Scientific Recruitment in Biotechnology Bucks the Trend for 2010

LONDON, February 22, 2010 - A recent survey of over 550 scientific organisations shows a UK wide
positive outlook for 2010 recruitment.

Although the UK science labour market had a tough 2009, shedding both
permanent and contract staff, the biotechnology sector has been resilient to
the consumer downturn and saw an increase in the requirement for skilled
scientists. This sector also bucks the trend by predicting a significant
increase in the recruitment of contract staff in the coming 12 months too.
However, the majority of respondents in this sector found it much harder to
recruit staff in 2009 than 2008.

From all the sectors in the survey, biotechnology were second only to
Oil/Gas/Petrochemicals in hiring the most permanent staff compared to the
previous year, however they are now near the top in terms of numbers of
permanent staff they are planning to hire. This positive trend continues for
contract scientific staff hire, although the level looks to remain stable
rather than increase during 2010. This differs when the question is asked in
terms of general use of contract staff across all disciplines including
admin, finance etc. as this has seen a decrease throughout 2009.

Ena Vieira, biotechnology industry specialist for SRG says: "With the
unstable economic situation over the last 12 months, biotech companies have
become even more focused on the commercial returns of their products. This
has led to a trend emerging, showing that they are now seeking to recruit
more commercially focused staff whilst still requiring them to have suitable
scientific skills. The results of our latest survey clearly show that the
outlook for 2010 is looking positive as, from all the sectors surveyed,
biotechnology are predicting the second highest increased permanent staff
recruitment during 2010."

Now in its fourth year, the 2009-2010 survey was completed by 554 UK
employers of scientists, including biotechnology, food, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, oil, petrochemical and healthcare companies, research
institutes and government departments. All were involved in recruitment and
were mostly working in an HR or senior technical/scientific role. The results
show both regional and sector specific trends. See a copy of the full survey
(www.srg.co.uk/news-and-events/surveys/report254.aspx)

For further information please contact: Emma Mills, Marketing &
Communications Manager, SRG, Telephone: +44(0)1753-589-672,
E-mail: emma.mills@srg.co.uk

www.srg.co.uk

For further information please contact: Emma Mills, Marketing & Communications Manager, SRG, Telephone: +44(0)1753-589-672, E-mail: emma.mills at srg.co.uk