Life Sciences Industry Trends Shaping Hiring in 2026
The State of Life Sciences Hiring in 2026
After a few years of stagnation and layoffs, companies are cautiously preparing for an uptick in hiring in the sciences. However, thanks to a thinning talent pipeline of new graduates and early career professionals, along with a workforce lagging in much-needed tech fluency, it may be a challenge to keep up with industry demands.
Here are the four key science workforce trends you need to understand in 2026 — and how Actalent can help you respond to position your team for success.
Trend #1: AI is Redefining Research and Development
Artificial intelligence is reshaping traditional R&D and product development. The use of generative AI tools and digital twins is speeding up clinical development, with improved predictive modeling significantly shortening the R&D process.
There’s a catch, though. Despite increased AI investments, only 22% of life science leaders say they’ve been able to successfully scale AI. More concerning, only 9% reported achieving a significant ROI.
Next Steps
Hire scientists with AI and data fluency to drive innovation in R&D. This goes beyond passing familiarity with the tools. Rather, look for scientists who understand not just how to use AI, but how it can be deployed strategically during R&D to support project and financial goals.
Actalent can match you with scientists with extensive experience combining subject matter expertise with digital savvy. This enables you to speed up discovery, automate analysis and use AI tools effectively.
Trend #2: Hybrid and Decentralized Clinical Trials Are Becoming the Norm
While only 20% of clinical trials were hybrid in 2019, decentralized and hybrid trials are becoming increasingly common. One survey found that 74% of respondents expected decentralized trials to become the norm within the next few years.
But while decentralized trials can increase efficiency, grant access to greater participant pools and reduce costs, there are barriers to running them effectively. Study coordinators must have experience in remote data monitoring and collection, especially using digital tools including mobile health apps, wearables and telemedicine platforms.
Next Steps
Build a digitally fluent clinical workforce to lead hybrid and decentralized trials. This includes roles such as digital trial coordinators, remote clinical research associates and data integration specialists. Actalent supports digital trial models with talent trained for remote, tech-enabled environments.
Trend #3: Regulatory and Policy Evolutions Prove Challenging
Changing regulations and policies will continue to challenge operational strategies. Among the top concerns for professionals in the field are agency restructuring within the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as economic policy changes such as tariffs.
Ensuring transparency and security will also be top of mind. The rise in decentralized clinical trials brings regulatory challenges regarding collecting and storing patient data. Likewise, increased use of automation requires AI governance and transparency into the data and algorithms that support the tools’ decision-making processes.
Next Steps
Prioritize hires with regulatory experience to ensure you’re audit-ready. Actalent places talent with compliance and regulatory expertise who help clients meet evolving FDA demands and maintain trial data integrity.
Trend #4: Reskilling is the Answer to the Skills Gap
The adaption of AI isn’t replacing the need for scientists, but it is changing their roles and responsibilities.
Manual tasks are being replaced with automation, leaving professionals free to focus on higher-level analytical skills, as well as technical oversight. However, some workers are struggling to keep up with the tech fluency required as generative AI takes on an increasingly important role in their day-to-day workload.
Rather than expanding their team’s digital capabilities by hiring full-time outside talent, many companies are looking instead to upskill or reskill their existing workforce. Investments in internal training and development can help fill AI skills gaps while bolstering retention efforts.
Next Steps
Invest in reskilling opportunities for your workforce to meet evolving technological demands. When hiring, prioritize candidates with a proven record of adaptability to ensure you’re building a future-ready workforce. Actalent can support you by advising on workforce strategies and delivering in-demand talent to fill digital skills gaps.
Let Actalent Help You Shape Your Science Services Team
Actalent excels in matching clients with science services consultants who bring specialized expertise, technological know-how and diverse experiences to your team. Our flexible delivery models are designed to scale to meet project demands where and when our clients need us.
Actalent is the largest life sciences staffing firm in the U.S. We offer scientific staffing solutions in:
- Clinical
- Laboratory
- Health & Medical
Contact us to begin finding specialized science talent for 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Life Science Industry Trends
Clinical research associates, regulatory affairs specialists, bioinformatics scientists, clinical data analysts, and quality control and quality assurance specialists will be in demand in 2026. The most in-demand science competencies in 2026 include:
- Data analysis and biostatistics
- AI and machine learning proficiency
- Advanced therapeutic expertise
- Cross-functional scientific insight
Ready to Hire Top Life Sciences Talent?
Partner with Actalent on your staffing needs.
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