Life Science
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is home to the UK’s most mature life science market[1] and hosts start-ups, scale-ups and established global brands.
Working in Life Sciences
60,268 people employed in Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities
(Emsi, 2020)
46% above the national average
(Emsi, 2020)
2.6% growth A growing sector: Increase in employment of 2.6% (compared to 1.5% nationally)
(Emsi, 2020)
There is a wide range of companies, with many commercialising research and operating at the cutting edge of advances in medicine and technology. These include cell and gene therapy, immuno-oncology and AI.
The sector is made up of start-ups, high growth businesses, research organisations and large commercial life science operations. Firms are based across Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough meaning that the range of job roles and the locations for employment are wide and varied.
The sector requires skilled people to enable the growth that it is experiencing. If you are a life science company, talk to us about how to access talent, create new technical education programmes to support skills development, or explore alternative routes to recruit, such as apprenticeships.
Click here to read the Life Science Strategy for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.
Are you interested in a career in Life Sciences?
Looking to work in life sciences? Here are a few of the pathways you can follow to start a career in life sciences:
JOB ROLES
Look into some of the job roles in Life Science and Research.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Find out more information about how to become an apprentice and start your journey into a Life Sciences career.
TRAINING COURSES
Search all local training courses and qualifications relevant to Life Sciences.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Start your career path in Life Science by embarking on a higher education course through one of the providers located in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to develop your knowledge and practical skills in this field.
ARU:
The School of Life Sciences has a wide range of courses using applied science to give you a great mix of hands-on and theoretical learning.
University of Cambridge:
The School of the Biological Sciences is home to animal, human, plant and microbial science at the University of Cambridge.
The Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) was set up in 2000 to look after the education and career needs of postgraduate students in the Life Sciences here at Cambridge.
The Cambridge Engineering course allows you to keep your options open while equipping you with all the analytical, design and computing skills that underpin modern engineering and bioengineering practices.
Apprenticeships in Life Science

Life Science Courses

Jobs in Life Science

[1] Source: Life Science Strategy for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority February 2021 (Updated April 2021)