Life sciences
Choose a career in life sciences and make a huge difference with some important discoveries. There's demand for staff at every level, so there are many routes in.
What impact could you make?
I want to look back and know that I’ve made a difference – to myself and my skill set but also the patients that I see.RachaelTrainee Clinical Scientist, Queen Elizabath University Hospital
Life sciences at a glance
Life sciences is central to Scotland's fight against the climate emergency. Plus, the industry is using precision medicine and medical technology like artificial intelligence to improve our health service.
Employment
In 2024, there were 21,400 people working in the life and chemical sciences industry in Scotland.
Job availability
Between 2024 and 2027, it's expected there will be 1,500 people needed to fill job openings in Scotland.
Job diversity
There has been significant investment and growing demand in life sciences across a diverse range of regions in Scotland, including: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, Fife, Glasgow, the Highlands and Islands, Perth & Kinross and Renfrewshire.
Be part of making discoveries
We’ve pulled out some of the most popular life sciences job profiles for you to explore.
Things you may not know about life sciences
The life sciences sector contributes almost £10.5bn to the Scottish economy.
Source: Gov.Scot
There are more than 750 life sciences organisations operating across Scotland.
Source: Life Sciences in Scotland
You don't need to be based in a laboratory to have a career in the life sciences industry. For example, you could work in local community clinics.
Source: Health Careers NHS
What subjects you could take in school
We've pulled together some examples of subjects and Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) that could be useful for getting into a life sciences career.
English
biology
chemistry
data science
computing
physics
science
maths
Scientific Technologies FA
Leaders in life sciences
Discover some of the organisations within life sciences and how they’re making an impact on the industry.
Life Sciences Scotland
Life Sciences Scotland works with the Scottish Government, academia and health professionals to turn scientific work into economic growth.
Visit Life Sciences Scotland
IBioIC
IBioIC is a networking and support organisation. It connects industry, academia and government to bring biotechnology processes and products to the global market.
Visit IBioIC
Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance
Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance (SULSA) is a partnership between 11 Scottish universities. It aims to advance the nation's research and innovation in the life sciences.
Visit SULSA
Royal Society of Biology
The Royal Society of Biology is the country's voice for biology. It advises the Government and influences policy while supporting education and professional development.
Visit RSB