Although the clinical research market across Europe continues to face challenges from the lingering effects of the pandemic and broader economic uncertainties, there are emerging signs of stabilisation as vacancies begin to recover. The sharp contraction seen in 2024 is gradually easing, with delayed trials now progressing and new studies starting to gain momentum. Regulatory clarity from the UK’s revised MHRA frame-works, together with the full roll-out of the EU Clinical Trials Regulation, has helped reduce backlogs and enabled a modest but meaningful rebound.
Clinical research roles have proven more resilient than the wider life sciences labour market. Contract Research Organisations (CROs) remain dominant, accounting for over half of all clinical vacancies. After a 23.6% decline in 2024, CRO demand is projected to grow by 1.9% in 2025, driven by increased trial activity across Europe. The UK is leading this recovery, with CRO hiring expected to rise optimistically by 31.1% in 2025, while France and Spain have yet to show comparable growth. Within CROs, Clinical Research Associate (CRA) and Senior CRA roles remain in highest demand, with a 9.7% increase anticipated, alongside a strong 41.3% recovery in Clinical Operations positions.
Despite these positive signals, the European clinical market still faces significant pressures from limited investment and cautious funding, placing a heavy burden on start-ups and smaller biotech firms. This has constrained innovation and slowed growth, even as trial activity increases.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies continue to contract, reflecting structural shifts towards outsourcing, automation, and AI adoption. Vacancies in the pharmaceutical sector are expected to decline by 6.7% in 2025, though specific areas such as Clinical Operations show renewed strength, projected to increase by 82.3% year-on-year. Clinical Management and Clinical Study roles, however, are falling sharply, down 31.0% and 14.7%, respectively.
Overall, early-stage biotech expansion is at the forefront for driving steady recovery. Biotechnology remains the fastest growing segment, projected to rise by 27.5% in 2025, highlighting renewed R&D activity, in-creased transparency in multinational trials, and sustained demand for skilled clinical professionals across the UK and Europe.
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