Insights & Recruitment Strategies for a Growing Sector
The clinical research landscape in Australia is entering a period of rapid expansion. According to findings from On Q’s 2024 Salary & Job Market Survey, more than 50% of life sciences companies are planning to grow their clinical research operations in 2025 – with many already in motion.
Our CEO, Catherine O’Mahony, recently attended the ARCS Conference and BIO International Convention in Boston, where conversations consistently reinforced this trend. It’s clear that clinical research is a buoyant market, with a strong pipeline of international work heading to Australia.
This growth signals major opportunity, but also major challenges – particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining talent in an already competitive sector. Whether you’re a hiring manager, HR lead, or clinical team head, now is the time to rethink your recruitment strategy and position your organisation for success.
The Growth Behind the Boom
Several key drivers are fuelling the surge in clinical research investment:
- Post-pandemic momentum: Organisations are pushing forward delayed studies, while new technologies and decentralised trial models are creating fresh avenues for innovation.
- Increased funding: Both public and private funding for clinical research is on the rise, particularly for oncology, rare disease, and personalised medicine trials.
- Regulatory efficiency: Initiatives from the TGA and ethics committees are streamlining approval processes, making Australia an attractive location for global trials.
This expansion isn’t just hypothetical – it’s already showing up in job boards, project pipelines, and hiring plans.
Roles in Highest Demand
As more companies scale, we’re seeing acute demand for experienced professionals across a variety of clinical research roles:
- Clinical Research Associates (CRA) – particularly those with therapeutic-specific experience
- Clinical Project Managers (CPM)
- Clinical Trial Assistants (CTA)
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Data Managers & Biostatisticians
- Quality & GCP Auditors
Mid-career professionals (3-10 years of experience) are especially sought after, with many companies offering salary premiums, hybrid arrangements, and rapid progression pathways to secure talent.
Hiring Challenges and Candidate Expectations
But with growth comes pressure – and hiring teams are feeling it. On Q’s survey data suggests:
- 28% of hiring managers have exceeded salary bands to secure candidates
- Time-to-hire is increasing as interview processes grow more competitive
- Flexibility is now a baseline expectation, not a perk
Candidates are looking for more than a job – they want purpose, development, and balance. In a sector built on precision and timelines, this shift in expectations requires a shift in how we recruit.
4 Recruitment Strategies to Stay Ahead
If you’re planning to scale your clinical team in 2025, here are four evidence-backed strategies to improve hiring outcomes:
- Refine your EVP (Employee Value Proposition)
Highlight purpose-driven work, flexibility, and internal growth pathways – not just salary. - Build pipeline relationships now
Engage with passive candidates before roles go live. The best talent is often already employed. - Simplify your interview process
Reduce delays between stages and keep top candidates engaged throughout. Speed matters. - Use data to guide decisions
Stay informed on market rates, role-specific demand, and candidate expectations using trusted sources like the On Q Salary & Job Market Report.
Contribute Your Voice: Help Us Shape the 2025 Report
We’re currently gathering insights for the 2025 On Q Salary & Job Market Report – and we need your input.
Whether you’re hiring or working in clinical research, your perspective helps us deliver accurate, actionable insights that support the entire industry. Plus, you’ll go into the draw to win $750 cash, or one of 10 x $50 Uber vouchers drawn weekly.
👉 Take the Survey Now – It Only Takes 10 Minutes
Together, we can build smarter hiring strategies, improve workforce planning, and ensure the clinical research sector thrives in 2025 and beyond.
