Biotech Hiring Needs a Human Reset: Insights from the London Biotechnology Show

Last week, we had the pleasure of exhibiting for the second year running at the London Biotechnology Show at ExCeL London. The event brings together thousands of professionals working at the cutting edge of biotechnology to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes across the UK and globally. 

It’s always energising to be surrounded by passionate professionals, and there were some incredibly inspiring speakers and sessions across the two days. But as ever, our highlight was the opportunity to connect directly with so many of you — to learn about your work, hear about your hiring challenges, and explore how we can support the growth of your businesses and careers.  What’s Really Going Wrong in Life Sciences Hiring? 

As part of our exhibition, we ran an interactive activity to gather real-world insights from job seekers and employers on the biggest challenges they face. It sparked some valuable conversations - and we're grateful to everyone who took part. 

Here’s what we heard. 

Job Seekers’ Top Challenges in Finding the Right Opportunities 

The top concern was clear:  ‘Lack of communication and feedback’ received 34% of all votes.  This was followed by: 

• ‘Not enough suitable opportunities’ – 27% 

• ‘Too many applicants’ – 20% 

These results echo what we hear daily from candidates. Many professionals are left in the dark after submitting applications, unsure if their CV has been seen or what to improve. Feedback is rare - and without it, there’s no opportunity to learn or adapt. 

But it’s more than just frustrating. The lack of human contact and transparency in hiring processes is contributing to a mental health crisis. In the UK, common mental health disorders are twice as prevalent among unemployed adults compared to those in work. And four in five jobseekers say job searching negatively affects their wellbeing. 

At a time when the labour market is tight and economic uncertainty is high, a more human approach to hiring isn't just nice to have - it’s essential. 

Not Enough Suitable Opportunities or a Disconnect in What’s Being Offered? 

The second most common frustration from job seekers - ‘not enough suitable opportunities’ - reflects two things: 

✅ In some areas, there really is a shortage of open roles. We spoke to professionals with highly specialised expertise who are actively looking, but finding few opportunities that align with their skills, interests, or seniority level. 

✅ But even when roles do exist, candidates often find them unappealing, unclear, or misaligned. In biotech, professionals look for purpose, flexibility, clarity, and a sense of shared values - and when job ads fall short, the right people simply don’t apply. 

Sometimes, the problem starts before the advert is even written. If internal hiring decision makers aren’t aligned internally, job specs can end up confused, unrealistic, or full of contradictions. We still see common pitfalls like: 

• Asking for 3+ years’ experience in a role advertised as “entry-level” 

• Vague, generic descriptions that don't speak to the right audience 

• Overloaded wish lists that discourage great candidates from applying 

If you’re hiring, ask: 

• Have we clearly defined what this role is and who we need? 

• Are we aligned internally on what good looks like? 

• Would our ideal candidate understand and feel excited by this advert? 

In short: the more clarity, consistency, and human insight you bring to the process, the more likely you are to attract the right people. 

Too Many Applicants, Too Little Progress 

Coming in third was the experience of being one of hundreds of applicants. For every open position, candidates feel they’re lost in the noise - receiving no acknowledgement, no updates, and no sense of where they stand. That uncertainty erodes trust and motivation. 

And from an employer’s perspective, it’s not working either - because strong candidates often disengage before they’re even seen. 

Employers’ Biggest Challenges in Finding the Right Talent 

On the hiring side, the top frustration was also loud and clear: 

• 60% of employers cited a shortage of technically skilled candidates 

• 20% highlighted how time-consuming hiring has become 

We heard it again and again: 

“We’re swamped with applicants, but very few match what we actually need.” 

Teams are stretched. Budgets are tight. Timelines are short. And hiring - a critical, high-impact task - is often just one of many responsibilities. To cope, many companies have brought hiring in-house, turned to AI-driven tools, or relied on platforms like LinkedIn. 

But these solutions are falling short - especially when the roles are specialised and the stakes are high. 

Where the System Is Misfiring - for Everyone 

One thing became very clear at the show: Both job seekers and hiring teams are frustrated. Candidates feel invisible. Hiring managers feel overwhelmed. And despite the rise of automation and AI, the hiring process isn’t becoming smarter - or more human. 

What’s missing? Connection. Conversation. Communication. The basics of good human interaction - and the things that make great hiring possible. 

As one hiring manager put it: 

“It’s strange - there’s more tech than ever, but finding the right talent is not taking less time. If anything, it’s probably taking longer than before”. 

Why Partner with Wentworth Life Sciences? 

At Wentworth, we believe better hiring starts with better listening. 

With decades of experience and a deep network of professionals - many of whom aren’t actively job hunting or visible online - we help you access the right candidates, faster. This not only saves time and reduces cost, but also protects the wellbeing of your existing team and helps maintain (or even enhance) your company’s reputation, as we provide thoughtful feedback to applicants who are often otherwise ‘ghosted’ by other companies. 

Our clients see us as an extension of their internal team - representing them professionally and personally, while ensuring candidates feel heard, respected, and supported. 

In a market as competitive as biotech, the right hire doesn’t just fill a gap - they drive innovation, secure funding, accelerate progress, create real change for patients and value. 

Final Reflections on #LBS2025 

Our time at the London Biotechnology Show reminded us of something important:  While technology has changed how we recruit, it hasn’t changed what people want - to feel valued, understood, and connected.  

To everyone who visited our stand - thank you. We loved hearing your stories and learning from your experiences. 

Whether you're building a high-performing team or ready to take your next step, we’d love to help.  📧 tom@wentworth.life  📞 01892 579870 

Let’s bring the human touch back to hiring.  #LondonBiotechnologyShow #LBS2025 #Biotech #LifeSciences #Recruitment #Hiring #CandidateExperience #TalentAcquisition