Recruitment in the Chemical and Life Science Industries: Pay Prospects and Expectations

CD-ROM  Plus VAT in the UK      £250.00

This publication updates information first compiled in 1990 and published by CPL Scientific as:

Recruitment in the Life Sciences: pay prospects and expectations

As with the previous publication, the detailed information on pay levels, qualification, experience, skills and preferences of people with degree level (or higher) qualifications looking for work is derived from recruitment information. The information was collected by CPL Scientific Employment Services between January 1st and November 30 2000. It was obtained from people who responded to advertisements in scientific publications and trade magazines, as well as to a website on the Internet. CPL's services were also advertised in various recruitment and technical directories, in Yellow Pages and at seminars (hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry) directed towards chemists seeking new jobs.

The jobs offered by CPL, that encouraged respondents to supply the information, were exclusively industrial and based in the United Kingdom. The emphasis was on employment in chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnical and food companies. In general they did not cover positions in academia, agriculture, environment, medicine or waste treatment. However, respondents for the positions on offer included any people currently employed in these areas. Hence, information on pay and prospects in these sectors was also available, and is included here.

Ten years ago, when CPL's first review was published, the demand for life scientists had been enhanced by developments in biotechnology, leading to formation of new companies, as well as increased legislation concerning both food hygiene and the environment. Since then, over the last decade, the relevant industries have been marked by a period of consolidation, especially in the chemical, agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. A series of mergers, takeovers and collaborative agreements has seen the emergence of many new international trading groups, ranging from Adventa to Zeneca. In forming such groups some companies have re-defined their objectives, moving towards higher added value (lower volume) products or from manufacture of intermediates to consumer goods. In restructuring, parts of such businesses (such as food fermentation, fragrances, plastics or fibers) have been sold, subject to management buy-outs or closed. In particular such consolidation has led to closure of some support functions, such as research and development departments. Over the same period increased costs of raw materials, staff pay and environmental compliance (with introduction of landfill tax and a tougher line on effluent discharge) has meant that some manufacturing capacity has moved out of Europe. Further, some biotechnology companies have found it harder than expected to bring products to the market place, again leading to restructuring.

The last decade of the 20th century also saw changes in the structure of educational establishments in the UK. The status of many polytechnics was revised with the formation of Universities, linked to a change in the type of teaching and qualifications given. This increased the number of people obtaining degrees, but at the same time led to a decrease in those trained in applied or practical skills. The structure and types of degrees also changed, moving further away from the traditional set of science subjects. These included a move towards more general science degrees based on accumulated 'units' on the one hand and more specialised courses in areas such as the environment and biotechnology.

Increased movement of people within the European Union, as well as an imbalance between training and job availability in various Member States, also led to ore people from overseas seeking jobs in the UK. However, the impact of this on the information presented here is reduced since overseas candidates were only registered if they were immediately available for interview (ie resident in the UK, or able to reach the UK at short notice).

Hence, in general both the job environment within which graduate are seeking employment and the structure of the population of job seekers has changed. As indicated above factors affecting this include:

• changes in training, university structure, degree subjects
• increased used of computers and developments in electronic equipment
• changes in the legislative framework, both relating to people and working conditions
• changes in the structure of industry and the global market place

The purpose of this review is to see what impact these have had on the qualifications and requirements of people seeking scientific jobs as they enter the 21st centuary. This report will also provide new graduates with indications of the types of jobs and associated salaries available. In addition this information may be of value to those considering various options when choosing educational courses with the objective of obtaining qualifications of direct relevance to a future career in the life sciences and chemical industries.