While Europe’s life sciences hiring market is gaining momentum, growth is taking a different shape than many predicted.
After an upturn of just 1.6% in the previous year, combined clinical and drug safety vacancies are forecast to grow by 9.6% in 2026, with second quarter demand up 16.7% year on year. This points to a much more positive outlook for the sector as hiring activity strengthens across a number of key European markets.
Regulatory initiatives are playing a key part in the recovery. EU Clinical Trials Regulation is fully rolled out. In April, new UK regulations came into effect. Regulators across Europe and the US are also providing more guidance on the role of AI in medicine development and safety monitoring.
However, the headline figures tell only part of the story. Clinical vacancies are forecast to grow by 11%, while pharmacovigilance and drug safety hiring opportunities are expected to decline slightly by 1.3%, following a strong 2025. Pharma and biotech continue to drive demand, with pharma and CROs now contributing almost equally to overall vacancies.
Europe’s hiring map is also shifting again in 2026, creating strong pockets of growth across several major life sciences markets. The UK remains the largest national market for drug safety and clinical vacancies, with demand forecast to rise by 12.3% and its share of European hiring edging up to 17.8%. Germany is growing even faster, with vacancies forecast to increase by 23.4%, while Spain is set to rebound by 17.1% after declining last year. Belgium is another standout market, with vacancies forecast to rise by 26.5%. For employers, these trends point to a market where opportunities are growing, but becoming more concentrated by geography, employer and skill set.
The top 20 employers now account for more than two-thirds of vacancies, while the capabilities businesses are looking for are also evolving. There is growing demand for professionals who can combine clinical expertise with data capabilities, study management and development experience.
