Diagnostics Market Trends Shaping Hiring in 2025

The diagnostics industry is entering a period of rapid transformation. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), liquid biopsy, and molecular testing are reshaping patient care, while also changing the types of professionals companies need to hire. According to Luke Jasinski, Principal Consultant in Commercial Diagnostics, Digital Health & Health Tech at EPM Scientific, these shifts are creating both opportunities and challenges for employers building their teams.

Point-of-care testing take center stage

AI and machine learning are no longer just buzzwords - they are now built into diagnostic platforms to deliver faster, more accurate results. One example is point-of-care (POC) testing, which provides results directly where the patient is seen, rather than requiring days of lab processing. BioMérieux’s Spotfire platform, for instance, can detect five common respiratory viruses in just 15 minutes. For patients, this means immediate answers and treatment; for providers, less strain on overburdened labs. As adoption grows, diagnostics companies are scaling their commercial teams to expand POC solutions, driving demand for leaders with both technical fluency and go-to-market expertise.

The rise of liquid biopsy

Another major area of growth is liquid biopsy, which uses a simple blood draw instead of an invasive tissue sample to detect disease. It is faster, easier on patients, and increasingly important in oncology, where early detection is critical. Firms expanding into liquid biopsy are competing for commercial talent who can translate complex molecular science into clear value propositions for providers and payers, and who can guide these solutions into crowded clinical pathways.

PCR drives infectious disease innovation

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a technique that identifies small segments of DNA to diagnose viruses or genetic mutations, has become the gold standard in infectious disease testing. Its combination of speed and sensitivity is why startups are building new platforms around it. This is fueling demand for cross-functional professionals who can move fluidly between product development, field applications, and commercialisation to help new entrants scale quickly in a competitive space.

Market pressure and setbacks

Innovation doesn’t always translate into commercial success, however. One popular example of this is Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) - which identifies how infections respond to antibiotics - has seen promising science but limited adoption. Smaller players such as Accelerate DX and Selux Diagnostics struggled with the long R&D timelines, high costs, and dominance of established providers, ultimately running out of runway. For hiring managers, this highlights the need for commercial leaders who combine technical credibility with disciplined strategy and efficient growth models.

The $100B IVD market and hiring needs

Broadly, the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market - testing performed on samples taken from the body, such as blood or tissue - is projected to surpass $100 billion in the US by 2030. This growth is reshaping hiring across the entire ecosystem. Established companies expanding their test menus need broader skillsets in technical sales, marketing, and product leadership, while startups and overseas firms entering the US market are turning to partners like EPM Scientific to build out full go-to-market teams.

What this means for hiring

Employers are finding it most difficult to recruit professionals who not only have strong technical backgrounds but also hands-on laboratory experience, giving them the credibility to understand and communicate complex diagnostic technologies. At the same time, demand is growing for cross-functional talent, as lean organisations increasingly need employees who can take on multiple responsibilities, from developing relationships with key opinion leaders to driving sales enablement. The most sought-after hires are scientific experts with commercial fluency and leaders who can successfully bridge advanced science with business strategy.

How EPM Scientific can help

Diagnostics organisations need more than resumes. They need professionals who understand the science, the market, and the challenge of scaling in a competitive environment. EPM Scientific partners with startups, mid-size companies, and global leaders to connect them with the talent that drives innovation and growth.

Request a call back to learn how our consultants can help your organisation secure the right people to thrive in the evolving diagnostics market.