Because in life sciences, agility and impact go hand in hand.
Hiring in the life sciences industry is never one-size-fits-all. With market demands shifting, project timelines tightening, and innovation cycles accelerating, businesses need to be more deliberate than ever about how they build their teams.
So when it comes to choosing between contract and permanent hires – how do you decide what’s right for your organisation?
It starts with understanding what each approach offers – and what your business needs most right now.
The Case for Contract: Built for Agility
Contract hires offer immediate impact, specialised skills, and ultimate flexibility. They’re ideal for businesses navigating change, scaling fast, or working on defined projects with clear endpoints.
Why choose contract?
- Speed: Contractors can be onboarded quickly, often within days
- Specialism: Access niche expertise for specific phases of a project (e.g. regulatory filings, clinical trial oversight, tech transfer)
- Flexibility: Scale your team up or down in line with funding, timelines, or deliverables
- Cost control: No long-term overheads, benefits, or payroll obligations
In fast-paced environments like biotech, MedTech, or clinical research, contract hiring enables momentum without long-term commitments – making it a powerful strategic lever.
The Case for Permanent: Long-Term Growth, Embedded Knowledge
Permanent hires bring stability, continuity, and long-term value. They become part of your company’s DNA – building internal expertise and driving sustained progress.
Why invest in permanent?
- Retention of IP and knowledge: Your team retains critical institutional learning
- Culture alignment: Long-term employees invest in – and contribute to – your mission
- Leadership development: Future managers, directors, and C-suite leaders often start as permanent hires
- Stronger succession planning: You’re not just hiring for today, you’re building for tomorrow
Permanent hiring is often best when you’re focused on growth, stability, and shaping a high-performing internal culture.
So, What’s Right for You?
There’s no universal answer – and often, the best strategy is a blend.
If you’re in a rapid growth phase, launching in new markets, or dealing with project-based workstreams, contract hires offer the speed and flexibility to deliver. If you’re building long-term capabilities, growing leadership, or developing proprietary technology, permanent hires provide the continuity and commitment needed to get there.
At Axion, we work with you to assess not just your hiring needs – but your business goals, project timelines, and internal structure. Then we help you build the right team, in the right way.
