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BUCKING the trend in other industries, recruitment in Asia's biomedical science sector remains strong despite the economic downturn, says recruitment firm ScienTec Consulting.

Talent is in demand by contract research organisations (CROs), biotech firms and pharmaceutical companies setting up R&D bases in the region. ScienTec alone has about 100-150 immediate positions waiting to be filled, of which 80 per cent are in Singapore.

'More companies are basing clinical trial studies in the region as they look to create more personalised medicines and need access to Asian populations,' said ScienTec managing director Karen Tok. 'We are also seeing an increase in R&D and contract manufacturing outsourcing companies in Asia.'

Speaking at a seminar on talent resource challenges at the Biomedical Asia 2009 conference yesterday, Ms Tok said the talent crunch has prompted companies to offer incentives and benefits to draw the cream of the crop. These include business class flights, travel allowances, sign on bonuses or bonuses tied to length of service.

For specialists with more than 10 years' experience, job hoppers can continue to expect the standard wage increment of 10-20 per cent. For mid to junior-level positions, recruitment activity is hot enough to have led ScienTec to set up a separate division last year.

'Although biomedical sciences companies in Asia are still recruiting, the global economic crisis has meant they are being more strategic in their recruitment,' said Ms Tok. 'For example, many now focus on resource optimisation, trying to get individuals who can multi-task in different roles, or get the best talent for their employment dollar.'

She estimates that about 60 per cent of the vacancies her company has been tasked to fill are for mid to junior-level posts. Most of them are in clinical research, biologics, diagnostics and monitoring technology, medicinal food extracts, drug discovery and healthcare firms. Job functions range from researchers and physicians to project managers and sales personnel.

However, there has been a fall in top-tier positions in sales because of lower demand forecasts and the transfer of leadership responsibilities to local staff.

At Sterling Life Sciences, another biomedical head-hunting specialist, the shift in demand is not that clear cut. The company, which focuses on specialised hires such as in translational medicine, said that while CROs remain bullish about regional growth, M&A activity in the pharmaceutical sector has resulted in some hesitation to increase headcount.

'There is still jockeying for scientific manpower resources, not only in South-east Asia but also in North Asia,' said Sterling director Robin Tan. 'In Singapore we see a steady and sustained growth in R&D activity in drug discovery and biomarkers, requiring specialised talent in the areas of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.

'Although scientific talent is largely regarded as global these days, costs have come under greater scrutiny among new setups in Singapore. Hence, highly experienced researchers from Asia are still an attractive option for the continued development of our biomedical industry.'

By CHEN HUIFEN