Survey Reveals Life Sciences Quality Assurance Discipline Set to See Extensive Recruitment Activity

The Quality Assurance (QA) discipline within the life sciences sector is set to see extensive employment changes as salary dissatisfaction drives career moves, according to new research by life sciences recruiter, Clinical Professionals.

In its comprehensive salary survey of the life sciences sector, Clinical Professionals found that 75% of candidates in the QA field felt their pay did not reflect their level of experience. While this is a 5% on last year’s report, it is one of the highest percentages recorded across the life sciences sector. The report goes on to outline that, as a result of this dissatisfaction, more than half of those questioned (59%) plan to move jobs in the next year, with a further 18% stating they would take a new role in the next 12 months if the package was right.

In an attempt to counter this negativity, employers remain focussed on training and development of staff in order to support internal promotions. There was a clear growth in the range of QA career options, with the type and number of job titles noted in this report outstripping those from the 2012. Training and development budgets appear to be on the up with this reported as the third most common benefit. Almost 70% of respondents cited that this option is offered in their current position — a 30% increase on last year’s figures.

Clinical Professionals’ Group Managing Director, Yvette Cleland commented: “With the economic turmoil now behind us, it’s perhaps unsurprising that professionals in the QA arena are beginning to look at new career options. While the increasing use of benefits as a motivator of staff goes some way in keeping staff happy, this consistently high level of salary dissatisfaction means that employers may need to take swift action on basic pay if they are to avoid a resurgence of the long-dormant war for talent.”

The full report is available to view online: www.pharmaceuticalsalarysurvey.com